In late 2023, the government of El Salvador created a new national institution — the Dirección de Integración — with a bold mission: to strengthen social inclusion, reduce poverty, and foster a culture of integration across the country.
At the heart of this initiative is the ADN Program on Poverty and the Culture of Integration, now being piloted in partnership with the Academy of Life Planning (AoLP). This program is more than just a course — it is a structured, evidence-based framework designed to help people plan purposeful lives, mobilise resources, and strengthen resilience.
What the ADN Program Does
The ADN Program invites participants — students, young adults, community leaders, and public servants — to step back from their circumstances and rethink what it means to build a meaningful future. Through a three-month structured journey, participants learn to:
- Define life goals based on values and purpose.
- Create clear, achievable action plans.
- Identify and manage personal and community resources.
- Build skills in organisation, confidence, and resilience.
The approach integrates elements of financial planning with insights from the science of well-being (positive psychology). It is not about motivational slogans, but about equipping people with practical, adaptable tools that can transform lives.
Scale and Ambition
The scale of this initiative is striking. The ADN Program is being rolled out through schools, universities, municipalities, businesses, and community organisations nationwide. Thousands are already taking part, with the potential to reach tens of thousands more.
By embedding the program into the country’s national development strategy, El Salvador is positioning life planning not as a luxury but as a foundation of social policy. This is nothing less than a cultural shift — reframing poverty as a challenge that can be met with purpose, planning, and community integration.
AoLP’s Role
The Academy of Life Planning is proud to be a partner in this work. Together with Mario Guzmán — whose Master’s thesis in Applied Positive Psychology inspired this initiative — we have brought the Game Plan methodology (in Spanish) into the heart of El Salvador’s social transformation.
This partnership demonstrates the power of combining local context and passion with global tools and expertise. It is an example of how life planning can move beyond individual coaching to become a public good — accessible, inclusive, and transformative at scale.
Looking Ahead: From El Salvador to LATAM
The ambition does not stop at El Salvador’s borders. With Spanish-language materials now developed, the ADN Program is being positioned as a reference model for Spanish-speaking communities across Latin America.
The vision is clear: to enable millions of people to see beyond survival, to plan lives of purpose and contribution, and to build communities grounded in integration rather than division.
Why This Matters Globally
What is happening in El Salvador offers hope — and a blueprint. It shows that governments, communities, and social enterprises can work together to put human capital and purpose at the centre of development.
For AoLP, this is proof of concept that the Game Plan methodology is not confined to financial services or individual coaching, but can underpin social transformation worldwide.
Closing Thought
When people are given the tools to plan their lives, they become agents of change — not just for themselves, but for their families, their communities, and their nations.
El Salvador is showing us what is possible. Now it is time to imagine where else this could go.
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What’s in it for you?
- Empowerment: Learn how to manage your money and grow your wealth with confidence.
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How to Get Started:
- Join Our Community: Access free resources, workshops, and networking opportunities.
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- Spread the Word: Help us build a global movement by sharing this vision with your network.
Together, we can redefine what financial planning means, transforming it from a service of dependency into a tool of empowerment. The M-Power Movement is not just about creating wealth; it’s about creating a fairer society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Are you ready to take control of your financial future?
Join us today and be part of this transformative journey.
For more information visit the Academy of Life Planning at www.aolp.info.
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