Climate Crisis Tales

May 7, 2024

The Center for Latin America and Latino Studies (CLALS) and Alianza Americas explored climate change's impact in Northern Central America, through the research and publications of three journalists. We uncovered the challenges they faced and the threats to press freedom in a thought-provoking discussion.

Continental Governance in the Americas: Opportunities and Challenges

April 30, 2024

CLALs co-sponsored an event with experts from la Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires, and el Colegio de México in Ciudad de México, who presented their final report: Continental Governance in the Americas: Opportunities and Challenges.

Immigration from an interdisciplinary perspective

April 18, 2024

The following panels were presented at this event: Migration, Mental Health and Experiences from Young Migrants, Human Rights and Legal Clinics for Migrants, and New and Old Immigration.

Haiti: From Crisis to Catalist

April 04, 2024

The Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS), the Haitian American Foundation for Democracy (HAFFD), and Roots of Development co-created a series of panel discussions focusing on current issues relevant to Haiti, the Haitian diaspora, and actors involved in development in Haiti.

Infected Policies: Medical Populism & Public Policy in Times of Global Crisis

March 27, 2024

Amélie Jacques-Apkes shared pivotal insights from her book project and comparative study on jow populist leaders in government and opposition roles in Latin America, North America, adn Europe have responded to COVID-19 crisis. The discussion explored implications for public health governance and offer insights into building resilience against medical populisms in times of crisis.

Book Talk: From Homemakers to Breadwinners to Community Leaders

February 8, 2024

CLALS convened a discussion of the book, From Homemakers to Breadwinners to Community Leaders: Migrating Women, Class, and Color — a journey of migrating women and their impact on society. In the book, Norma Fuentes-Mayorga compares the immigration and integration experiences of Dominican and Mexican women in New York City, a traditional destination for Dominicans but a relatively new one for Mexicans. Her book documents the significance of women-led migration within an increasingly racialized context and underscores the contributions women make to their communities of origin and of settlement. 

Book Talk: Constitutional Law and the Politics of Ethnic Accommodation in Afghanistan

February 8, 2024

The Center hosted an exciting book talk led by M. Bashir Mobasher to dive into the captivating world of his latest publication. His new book, Constitutional Law and the Politics of Ethnic Accommodation: Institutional Design in Afghanistan, explores whether the legal and political institutions of Afghanistan were able to incorporate diverse ethnic groups into the political process. Ethnic accommodation has gained central stage in the literature on institutional design and democratic consolidation. The book will be essential reading for academics, researchers and policy makers interested in constitutional law and politics.

Book Launch and Commemoration: The North American Research Initiative

January 23, 2024

The Center for Latin American & Latino Studies and the School of International Service, and their Robert A. Pastor North America Research Initiative, led a special event marking both the book launch of “North American Regionalism: Stagnation, Decline, or Renewal?” edited by Eric Hershberg and Tom Long, and a commemoration of the ten-year anniversary since the passing of the esteemed Robert A. Pastor. The book is a key product of the Robert A. Pastor North America Research Initiative.

Workshop: Rights Subjectivity in Immigrants' Struggles for DACA in the U.S.

November 28, 2023

The Center for Latin American & Latino Studies organized a workshop and research presentation on the struggles that immigrants face in their quest to obtain or remain under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. CLALS Research Fellow, Andréia Fressatti Cardoso, first presented her research on this topic and then opened the discussion up to the audience.

Cafecito Talk: Gender, Tech, and Sustainability

November 7, 2023

The Center for Latin American & Latino Studies, alongside AU's HealthCare Lab and Inclusive Tech Policy, hosted a discussion on gender, tech, and sustainability with coffee, refreshments, and snacks. 

Book Talk: Contemporary Cuba: The Post-Castro Era

October 26, 2023 | Event recording

The Center hosted a book talk on the revised third edition of Contemporary Cuba: The Post-Castro Era at 3:30 - 5:00pm on Thursday, October 26 in the Bentley Commons Atrium. Speakers included Hope Bastian, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Wheaton College and editor of the volume; Philip Brenner, Senior Professor in the U.S. Foreign Policy program at American University's School of International Service; John M. Kirk, Professor of Latin American Studies at Dalhousie University in Canada; and William M. LeoGrande, Professor of Government and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at American University. 

Book Conversation: Mexico, A Challenging Assignment

October 18, 2023

The Center for Latin American & Latino Studies and its cosponsor, The Wilson Center's Mexican Institute, hosted a discussion where Dolia Estévez presented her latest book, Mexico, A Challenging Assignment: U.S. Ambassadors Share Their Experiences." Along with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Earl Anthony Wayne (2011-2015), Estévez provided key insight into U.S.-Mexico diplomatic relations. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Discussion: Migration as a Driver of Economic Development

September 27, 2023

In light of Hispanic Heritage Month, CLALS and the Immigration Lab led a discussion with Director of CLALS, Ernesto Castañeda, about the postive economic impacts of migration. 

Research Fellow Showcase: Constitutional Reform in Chile

September 27, 2023

The Center hosted a showcase of research presented by CLALS Research Fellow, Claudia Heiss, on Constitutional Reform in Chile: Participatory Mechanisms in a Context of Civic Disaffection. 

Discussion: "(Co)Building a Strategic Agenda for the Americas" 

September 12, 2023

CLALS and its co-sponsor, El Colegio de México, led a discussion on the recent report, "(Co)Building a Strategic Agenda for the Americas," which highlights three important themes: inequality, migration, and the impacts of climate change across Latin America. This report is the outcome of a participatory, transregional, non-governmental, and inclusive process led by El Colegio de México, in collaboration with Universidad Torcuato Di Tella and Universidad de los Andes. 

2023 Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum

Pillars of Community: Local Efforts to Support New Latino Immigrants in the Washington, DC Metro Area

CLALS hosted its 2023 edition of the Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum on April 27-28, 2023 in Spring Valley Building, Room 401. Based on a recent CLALS Working Paper, the 2023 forum convened researchers, policymakers, advocates, and AU faculty to discuss the ways that public and private organizations can support new Latino immigrants who have arrived in the Washington, DC Metro via buses from the border states of Texas and Arizona. It also explored pathways through which stakeholders can effectively aid them with citizenship, housing, health, employment, and integration services and fill crucial gaps in assistance while they await resolution of their applications for documented status. 

Discussion: Political Unrest in Peru

March 23, 2023

CLALS and American University's Changing Aid Strategic Research Initiative hosted a discussion on the ongoing political unrest in Peru with five leading scholars, journalists, and advocates. Some of the topics discussed included key factors bringing Peru to its current impasse, the degradation of democratic institutions, the relationship between the state and Indigenous peoples, and media representation of minorities and marginalized groups. 

A Conversation with the Author of Unintended Consequences of Peace: Peaceful Borders and Illicit Transnational Flows

February 15, 2023

CLALS hosted a discussion led by Arie Kacowicz on his book, Unintended Consequences of Peace: Peaceful Borders and Illicit Transnational Flows (Cambridge University Press 2021). Speakers included Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center; Joe Young, Professor at the School of Public Affairs and School of International Service; and Ieva Giedraitytė, CLALS Research Fellow.  

A Look Inside Venezuela: An Expert Conversation with William Neuman

January 27, 2023

CLALS and Global Americans hosted a discussion of Things Are Never So Bad That They Can’t Get Worse: Inside the Collapse of Venezuela (St. Martin's Press 2022). Named Foreign Affairs Best Books of 2022 and the National Endowment for Democracy Notable Books of 2022, this book paints a clear-eyed and highly personal portrait of the crisis unfolding in Venezuela in real time, from the rolling blackouts and nearly worthless currency to its extreme poverty and limited supplies of food, water, and medicine. Speakers included William Neuman, Author and Journalist; Maria Caballero Sánchez, Assistant Professor of Economics at American University; Luciana Gandini, CLALS Research Fellow; Michael M. McCarthy, Professorial Lecturer at George Washington University; and Guy Mentel, President and CLO at Global Americans. 

Panel Discussion, Empowering Young Women in Latin America: Findings from the Vidas Sitiadas Project

October 17, 2022 | Event recording

CLALS, alongside FLACSO Costa Rica, hosted two panel discussions on research findings from the Vidas Sitiadas project. The first panel, in Spanish, discussed conceptual frameworks for studying the impacts of systems of violence and marginalization on the lives of vulnerable young women in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Uruguay. The second panel, in English, explored public policy strategies and solutions for the social and economic inclusion of young women in the region. Panelists included Fidel de Rooy Estrada, Researcher at FLACSO Costa Rica; María del Pilar Castillo Valencia, Professor & Researcher at Universidad del Valle; Ana Miranda, Academic Coordinator of Youth Research Program at FLACSO Argentina; Mario Roberto Chavez, Researcher at Glasswing International; and Marco Vinicio Fournier Facio, Consultant at Paniamor Foundation. This in-person and remote event was part of the Center's project, Vidas Sitiadas: A Learning Network about Youth, Work, & Violence, which is funded by the International Development Research Centre, and was co-sponsored by the Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, the Department of Sociology, and the Changing Aid Strategic Research Initiative at American University. 

Panel Discussion, "The Threat of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing in Latin America and the Caribbean"

September 9, 2022 | Event recording

CLALS hosted a free in-person and remote event at American University in September where panelists discussed the latest trends in IUU fishing, including perpetrators and adverse impact across Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador. Speakers included Cristina Cely, Director of One Health Ecuador; Philippe Le Billon, Professor at University of British Columbia's School of Public Policy and Global Affairs; Joshua Goodman, Latin America correspondent for The Associated Press; Milko Schvartzman, Ocean Policy Coordinator of Círculo de Políticos Ambientales NGO; Peter A. Murray, Advisor of Fisheries Management and Development at CRFM Secretariat; and Jorge Arturo Jiménez Ramón, Director of MarViva Foundation. This event was hosted in English with InSight Crime as part of the Center's project, Western Hemisphere Regional Illegal, Unreported, & Unregulated Fishing Assessment.

International Conference, "Environmental Migration Under the Spotlight"

May 30-31, 2022

CLALS participated in the international conference, "Environmental Migration Under the Spotlight,” organized by the Institute of Law, Politics and Development at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Pisa, Italy). As an extension of the Center's ongoing project on "Religion and Environmentally-Induced Displacement," supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, they addressed some implications of climate policy’s neglect of non-economic loss and damage regarding the plight of environmental migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Cómo mejorar los procesos de selección para combatir la corrupción y la impunidad? 

May 18, 2022 | Event recording

CLALS hosted a webinar in May at Seattle International Foundation where panelists discussed the importance of a transparent review of candidates' merits in the selection process, and how such reviews can be obstructed by groups who seek to maintain high levels of impunity in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Speakers included CLALS Director Eric Hershberg, SIF Project Manager Mirte Postema, CEJIL Director for Central America and Mexico Claudia Paz y Paz, Cristosal Head of Anticorruption and Justice Ruth López, and Consejo Nacional Anticorrupción Executive Director Gabriela Castellanos. This event was part of the Center's project, "Legacies & Lessons of Hybrid Anti-Impunity Missions in Central America" and funded by Seattle International Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and the Ford Foundation. 

Vidas Sitiadas: Talleres

April 26-27, 2022 | First event recording, passcode: Bq5e%.C% | Second event recording, passcode: D0.j$k4B

A longstanding partner of CLALS, the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales - Costa Rica hosted two webinars in April to showcase their findings drawn from a series of five research projects conducted across Costa Rica, El Salvador, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina under the Vidas Sitiadas initiative. This project aims to generate advocacy and offer fresh insight regarding demographic-specific issues that vulnerable young women face in Latin America, including violence and employment, particularly as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hacia la transparencia del Presupesto Nacional: Prepuestos abiertos

March 8-10, 2022 | Event recording

The Center co-sponsored a three-day workshop in March, facilitated by CLALS Research Fellow Arturo Porzecanski, addressing the challenges to achieving fiscal transparency in Panama. The event took place under the auspices of the Fundación para el Desarrollo de Libertad Ciudadana, the country’s chapter of Transparency International, and reflects a line of work that CLALS had previously engaged elsewhere in Central America as well as in Brazil and Colombia.

Estrategias de mensajería china en América Latina y el Caribe: El caso de Chile

February 28, 2022 | Event Recording

CLALS and the Instituto de Estudios Internacionales (IEI) at the Universidad de Chile co-hosted a webinar on China's messaging in Latin America and the Caribbean, with attention to Chile. China’s economic presence in Chile has grown exponentially in recent years, with growing volumes of investment recently supplementing dramatic increases in bilateral trade. This trend coincides with Beijing’s projection of influence through instruments of soft power, including public diplomacy and an active presence in both legacy and digital media. This webinar reviewed these themes in light of a CLALS project analyzing China’s messaging strategies throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Diplomacia pública chinesa no Brasil

February 25, 2022 | Event Recording

The Center and its co-host the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) held a discussion on China's economic partnership with Latin America, which has been accompanied by an expansion of cultural and diplomatic ties with the region. The webinar "Diplomacia pública chinesa no Brasil" presented the transformations in Chinese external communication practices in the last decade through the use of media and social networks. Speakers included: CLALS Research Fellow Luiza Duarte, School of International Service Professor and Brazil Research Initiative Director at American University Matthew Taylor, and International Relations Professor at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) Maurício Santoro.

Comunicando la influencia:
Narrativas sobre el papel de China en El Salvador, América Latina y El Caribe

February 22, 2022 | Event Recording

CLALS and its co-host, the Centro de Investigación para la Democracia (CIDEMO) at the Universidad de Oriente (UNIVO) led a discussion of China's economic partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean, which has been accompanied by an expansion of cultural and diplomatic ties with the region. With attention to El Salvador, the webinar "Comunicando la influencia: Narrativas sobre el papel de China en El Salvador, América Latina y el Caribe" presented the transformations in Chinese external communication practices in the last decade through the use of media and social networks in the region. Panelists included: CIDEMO Director Rodolfo Mejía, CIDEMO Investigator Angélica Sosa, CLALS Director Eric Hershberg, and CLALS Research Fellow Luiza Duarte.

China's Relations with Latin America

February 3, 2022 | Event Recording

The Center and its co-hosts the Fundación Foro del Sur and the Coordinadora Regional de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales (CRIES) of Argentina discussed relations between China and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Panelists presented and discussed the main findings of a recent CLALS and CRIES joint report which surveyed opinion leaders in 23 of the region's countries on their perception of China and its role in Latin America. Panelists included: Andrés Serbin, Luiza Duarte, Eric Hershberg, Gino Pauselli, Cynthia Sanborn, and Marlise Ilhesca Jozami.

Una mirada a las relaciones entre Chile y Estados Unidos en el siglo XXI

January 18, 2022 | Event Recording

The Center, the Instituto Milenio Fundamentos de los Datos (IMFD), and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile convened a discussion on the state of U.S.-Chilean relations. The event is part of a CLALS research project studying the impacts of U.S. bilateral ties with Uruguay and Chile. Speakers presented research findings on the cumulative effects of U.S. engagement in Chile in such areas as environmental conservation, renewable energy, and the long-term impacts of science diplomacy, among other topics. Panelists included: Juan Pablo Luna, Instituto de Ciencia Política y Escuela de Gobierno, Universidad Católica de Chile, Instituto Milenio Fundamentos de los Datos; Nicole Jenne, Instituto de Ciencia Política, Universidad Católica de Chile; Bruna Fonseca de Barros, PhD Candidate, Instituto de Ciencia Política, Universidad Católica de Chile; Rob Albro, CLALS Research Associate Professor; and Eric Hershberg, CLALS Director.

Una mirada a las relaciones entre Uruguay y Estados Unidos en el siglo XXI

December 17, 2021 | Event Recording

The Center and Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCU) convened a discussion on the state of U.S.-Uruguayan relations. Speakers presented research findings from a CLALS project on the cumulative effects of U.S. engagement in the Southern Cone. Panelists included: Rob Albro, CLALS Research Associate Professor; Juan Bogliaccini, Political Science Professor, UCU; Carolina Ferreira, Business School Instructor, UCU; Eric Hershberg, CLALS Director; and Soledad Marzoa, Social Sicence Researcher, UCU.

The Road Ahead: Exploring the Current Situation in Cuba

November 10, 2021 | Event Recording

The Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) hosted an online webinar "The Road Ahead: Exploring the Current Situation in Cuba" to discuss the Center's recently launched virtual symposium “The Road Ahead: Cuba After the July 11 Protests.” The speakers examined some of the potential causes of the July 11 protests and discuss their significance for contemporary Cuban society and politics. Panelists included: Hope Bastian, Assistant Professor, Wheaton College; John M. Kirk, Emeritus Professor, Dalhousie University; William M. LeoGrande, Professor of Government and CLALS Faculty Affiliate, American University. Moderated by: Philip Brenner, Emeritus Professor and CLALS Faculty Affiliate, American University; Mariakarla Nodarse, Assistant Director for Cuba, WOLA.

ALPAF 2021

Pandemic Relief for Latino-Owned Businesses: Lessons from the Washington, DC Metro Area

October 27 | Event Recording

Drawing upon its latest report on Latin businesses and pandemic relief in the DC metro area, and in partnership with AU’s Kogod School of Business and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Center convened its Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum on October 27. Carried out virtually this year, the event gathered leading experts on the topic with an audience comprised of researchers, students, advocates, business owners, and policymakers, with the objective of highlighting what strategies work to deliver assistance to Latino businesses in moments of crisis and what reforms are needed in order to ensure their survival and dynamism moving forward. Read more about this year's Forum.

Caravanas Book Presentation

June 16, 2021 | Event Recording

Together with the Seminario Universitario de Estudios sobre Desplazamiento Interno, Migración, Exilio y Repatriación (SUDIMER), Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, and Laboratorio Nacional Diversidades, all of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CLALS participated in a presentation of Caravanas, winner of the William M. LeoGrande Award 2019-2020 and co-authored by CLALS Research Fellow Luciana Gandini.

Participants included CLALS Director Eric Hershberg, Research Associate Professor Robert Albro, and CLALS Faculty Affiliate Ernesto Castañeda-Tinoco. This event was in Spanish.

Factores en el Combate a la Corrupción en Guatemala y Honduras

March 25, 2021 | Watch recording on the CLALS Facebook page

In collaboration with Alianza por las Reformas and Organización Ayudamos Honduras (OAH), CLALS organized a discussion on the state of anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala and Honduras, the agenda of activists and prosecutors involved in this work, and how the Biden administration might affect these efforts regionally. Participants included: Laura Aguiar, Secretary General of the University Student Association at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala; Gabriela Blen, Executive Director of OAH; Chuck Call, SIS Associate Professor; Eric Hershberg, CLALS Director; Juan Francisco Sandoval, head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI) in Guatemala; and Luis Javier Santos, head of the Special Prosecutor’s Unit Against Corrupt Networks (UFERCO) in Honduras.

This event was part of an ongoing Center project analyzing the lessons and legacies of anti-corruption missions in Central America, with support from the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Seattle International Foundation.

2020

Legislative Effectiveness in Latin America: Part 2

November 16, 2020 | Event Recording

This workshop compared legislative processes in the United States with those found in Latin America. It gave Latin American scholars the opportunity to better understand the challenges unique to the region while providing American politics scholars with a comparative perspective with which to refine theories of legislative behavior.

Moderated by Matthew Taylor, Associate Professor at American University, with presentations from: Andrew Ballard, Assistant Professor at American University; Erinn Lauterbach, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Center for Effective Lawmaking; Craig Volden Co-Director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking and Professor of Public Policy and Politics at the University of Virginia; and Alan Wiseman, Co-Director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking and Professor of Political Science and Law at Vanderbilt University.

The workshop took place over two sessions. The first meeting (see below) brought together Latin American scholars to debate research on legislative effectiveness in the region. For practitioners, these sessions can act as an important source of information about factors shaping the political and policy landscapes in the region.

Legislative Effectiveness in Latin America: Part 1

October 16, 2020 | Event Recording

This workshop discussed emerging literature surrounding legislative politics in Latin America by focusing on the causes of legislative effectiveness and success in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Uruguay. The event aimed to answer the following question - why are some lawmakers more successful than others in pushing their policies through the legislative process and into law in Latin American legislatures?

Moderated by Matthew Taylor, Associate Professor at American University, with presentations from: Ernesto Calvo, Professor at University of Maryland; Constanza Schibber, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University; Sergio Arturo Bárcena Juárez, Profesor Investigador at Tecnológico de Monterrey; and Beatriz Rey, Research Fellow at CLALS and Ph.D. Candidate at Syracuse University.

The workshop took place over two sessions. The second meeting (see above) convened Latin American and American politics scholars to compare the findings from Latin America with those from the United States. For practitioners, these sessions were important sources of information about factors shaping the political and policy landscapes in the region.

El legado de la MACCIH en Honduras frente a los desafíos actuales del combate a la corrupción

August 12, 2020 | 12:00 PM | Watch the live recording on the CLALS Facebook page
*This event was in Spanish

In collaboration with the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales-Honduras (FLACSO-Honduras), CLALS presented a discussion on the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). Participants included Charles Call, SIS Associate Professor; Ana María Calderón Boy, Former Interim Spokesperson, MACCIH and Former Special Representative to the Secretary General, OAS; Leticia Salomòn, Researcher at the Centro de Documentación de Honduras (CEDOH); and Eugenio Sosa, Professor and Researcher at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH). Professor Call presented the findings of his research on the MACCIH and lessons for future anti-corruption initiatives. These findings were published as part of the CLALS Working Paper Series, and are available in English and Spanish.

This event was part of an ongoing Center project analyzing the lessons and legacies of anti-corruption missions in Central America, with support from the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Seattle International Foundation.

Victims of their own Success? The Lessons of Anti-Impunity Missions in Central America

July 28, 2020 | Event recording

In collaboration with the Inter-American Dialogue, CLALS presented a panel discussion on the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH), and the incipient International Commission against Impunity in El Salvador (CICIES). The panel included Charles Call, SIS Associate Professor; Martha Doggett, former Director of the Americas Division of the UN Department of Political Affairs; Juan Gonzalez, Senior Fellow at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement; and Claudia Escobar, Centennial Fellow at Georgetown University. Learn more about the event.

This event was part of an ongoing Center project analyzing the lessons and legacies of anti-corruption missions in Central America, with support from the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Seattle International Foundation.

Health Impacts of COVID-19 for Latinos & their Communities in the DC-Region

June 15, 2020 | Zoom Forum

The Center hosted a forum exploring the effects of COVID-19 on health inequities and other structural disparities for Latino communities across the Washington, DC area. Attendees and discussants included academics and stakeholders from area health care organizations, with contributions from CAS Associate Professor Michael Bader, Professor of Law Lindsay Wiley, and SIS Associate Professor Nina Yamanis.

Watch a recording of the forum.

Organized Crime in the Southern Cone: The Rise of the PCC

March 5, 2020 | Universidad del Salvador | Buenos Aires, Argentina

Together with InSight Crime and the Center for the Study of Organized Crime (CeCOT) at the Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CLALS organized a public panel discussing the growth of the First Capital Command (PCC) from Brazil throughout the Southern Cone. The panel discussed how the PCC has evolved and the implications for organized crime throughout the region. This event was part of a Center project analyzing the extent and operation of transnational criminal organizations in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Learn more about the event in Spanish.

In Children's Best Interests: Advancing a Fundamental Standard for the Treatment of Immigrant Children

February 13-14, 2020
Claudio Grossman Hall, Washington College of Law | Washington, DC

Together with the American University Washington College of Law (WCL) and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), CLALS hosted a day and a half-long symposium focused on defending and reinforcing the best interests principle as the central framework for decision-making involving immigrant children. In addition to bringing to the fore of the public discussion the U.S. government’s failures to provide immigrant children with treatment consistent with standards widely accepted under domestic law and international norms, the symposium served as a forum for generating concrete recommendations for implementing the best interests standard in the immigration context. For further information about symposium panels, speakers, and related activities, please visit the symposium webpage. 

Cuba Under Pressure: Economic and Political Developments Amidst Heightened Tensions with the United States 

January 30, 2020 | Cuba Round Table | 3:30-5:00 PM | Public Event | Butler Board Room | American University, Main Campus

The Center for Latin American & Latino Studies hosted a panel discussion on contemporary developments in Cuba. Panelists included faculty from the School of Public Affairs (William LeoGrande, Eric Hershberg), the School of International Service (Philip Brenner) and College of Arts and Sciences (Max Paul Friedman), as well as Teresa Garcia Castro, of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), all of whom took part in an extensive array of meetings in Havana during December 2019. View the event flyer.

This event was sponsored by the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies and The Washington Office on Latin America.  

Religion and Environmentally-Induced Displacement in Latin America and the Caribbean: Engaging the Normative and Legal Landscape

January 23-24, 2020 | Auditório Joaquim Nabuco Faculdade De Direito | Darcy Ribeiro Campus | Universidade de Brasília

Together with the South American Network for Environmental Migrations(RESAMA), CLALS planned a two-day invited workshop on normative and legal frameworks for governance and security challenges posed by rising numbers of environmental migrants in Latin America. This workshop surveyed and analyzed the current normative landscape while exploring possible religious contributions to regional deliberations on this topic. It also formed the basis for a comprehensive report addressing this set of issues, to be shared with appropriate agencies across the region. The first of an anticipated three such meetings, this workshop was part of a new three-year Center project, generously supported by the Henry Luce Foundation. Read more about this project.

The Legacy of CICIG: Progress Made and Strategies to Continue the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Guatemala

January 9, 2020 | Guatemala City, Guatemala

The Center launched a report on the legacy of International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) before an audience of 200 at a public event co-hosted by the Instituto Centroamericano de Estudios Fiscales (ICEFI). The report, authored by SIS Professor Charles Call and doctoral candidate Jeffrey Hallock, analyzes the work of CICIG and the lessons that scholars and practitioners can take from it, enriching public debate of the Commission in a highly polarized context. After Professor Call presented the report's findings, a distinguished panel discussed the role of CICIG and further steps to address corruption and impunity in Guatemala: Claudia Samayoa of the Unidad de Defensoras y Defensores de los Derechos Humanos en Guatemala, Doctor Ricardo Sáenz de Tejada, and Judge Haroldo Vásquez, President of the Asociación Guatemalteca de Jueces por la Integridad.

The report is available in both English and Spanish. This event is part of an ongoing Center project analyzing the lessons and legacies of anti-corruption missions in Central America, with support from the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Seattle International Foundation.

2019

Latin America in the International Liberal Order

Thursday, November 14, 2019
Gilman 132, Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD

The Center partnered with the Latin America in a Globalizing World Initiative at Johns Hopkins University to host a research colloquium discussing Latin America’s historic and present role in the International Liberal Order (LIO). The two-day workshop included a public panel featuring CAS Professor Max Paul Friedman and Tom Long, Chair of the Center's Robert A. Pastor North America Research Initiative (NARI), which was the launch event for the Center's Latin America in the Liberal International Order project that aims to generate new research and impactful publications on the region's role in the development and transformation of the LIO.

Lessons Learned from CICIG and MACCIH to Combat Corruption and Promote the Rule of Law

July 17, 2019
CSIS Headquarters | Washington, DC

As a part of the Center's project examining the possibilities for establishing an international anti-impunity commission in El Salvador, the Center partnered with the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) to host a public event discussing lessons learned from international anti-impunity commissions in Guatemala and Honduras and their implications for such a commission in El Salvador. SIS Professor and project lead Charles Call discussed the findings of the project report, with commentary from Arturo Aguilar, Executive Director of the Seattle International Foundation; Thelma Aldana, former President of the Supreme Court and Attorney General of Guatemala; Claudia Paz y Paz, former Attorney General of Guatemala; and Mark L. Schneider, Senior Non-resident Adviser in the Americas Program at CSIS. Watch a recording of the event.

¿Es posible una CICI en El Salvador? Misiones internacionales contra la impunidad y la corrupción, lecciones de países vecinos

June 20, 2019
Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas | La Libertad, El Salvador

As part of the Center's project examining the possibilities for establishing an international anti-impunity commission in El Salvador, CLALS and the Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA) hosted a public event to present and discuss the project’s final report. The report (English and Spanish) was presented by its author, SIS Professor and project lead Charles Call, with discussion from a distinguished panel comprising Claudia Paz y Paz, former Attorney General of Guatemala and Program Director at CEJIL; Ana Maria Calderón Boy, Division Coordinator and Interim Spokeswoman of MACCIH; Henry Campos and Jose Enrique Argumedo, constitutional law experts; and Manuel Escalante, another constitutional law authority and Deputy Director of IDHUCA.

ALPAF 2019: The Fifth Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum

Inclusive Communities, Welcoming Neighborhoods? Urban Planning for Latinos in Changing U.S. Cities

March 1, 2019
American University | Washington, DC

As the U.S. Latino population continues to grow, Latinos are increasingly at the center of urban planning debates about the changing demographic diversity of new and emerging metropolitan areas. At the same time, cities are responding to a set of historical and structural challenges, such as the effects of gentrification, that directly affect Latino communities. While some attention has been given to implications of demographic change in larger cities, less is known about these circumstances in such smaller or medium sized immigrant gateways as Raleigh, NC; Lexington, KY; Bridgeport, CT; Burlington, VT; or Salt Lake City, UT, among others.

Co-sponsored by American University’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies and its Metropolitan Policy Center, the fifth Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum (ALPAF) convened AU faculty, and other scholars of urban diversity and Latino life in U.S. cities, together with urban planners, to address neighborhood inclusion in three interrelated panel discussions. This year’s Forum considered urban policy and planning in small and medium sized cities with significant and increasing Latino populations to assess what steps they are taking or could take to make often rapidly changing neighborhoods more welcoming for Latinos.

Event flyer

ALPAF 2019 agenda

Cuba in 2019

January 22, 2019 
American University | Washington, DC

The Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), the School of Public Affairs (SPA), and the School of International Service (SIS) hosted a panel discussion on the current state of U.S.-Cuba relations. The panelists, who participated in a December 2018 delegation to Havana, shared their key findings regarding Cuban politics and society and the state of bilateral relations in the "post-Castro" era. 

Panelists:

• William M. LeoGrande, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Department of Government, School of Public Affairs

• Philip Brenner, Professor, School of International Service

• Garrett Graddy-Lovelace, Assistant Professor, School of International Service

• Eric Hershberg, Director, Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS), and Professor, Department of Government, School of Public Affairs
• Fulton Armstrong, Research Fellow, Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS) 

2018

Rethinking Anti-Corruption Efforts in Brazil

November 19-20, 2018
Brasilia, Brazil

CLALS, Escola Nacional de Administração Pública (National School of Public Administration), and Tribunal de Contas da União (Federal Accountability Office) hosted a seminar on rethinking anti-corruption efforts in Brazil in November 2018. Together with Brazilian academics and civil society members, the seminar included interventions from SIS Professor Matthew Taylor as well as several past CLALS Research Fellows from Brazil. Over the course of two days, participants discussed transparency, the role of the judiciary, regulation of bureaucracy, and other relevant aspects in re-examining how to fight corruption in Brazil.

Regional Planning Directors Meeting

November 16, 2018
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments | Washington, DC

As a continuation of the Center's work with the District of Columbia's Office of Planning — with whom the Center co-sponsored the workshop "Sharing Space: African-American and Latino Intercultural Exchanges in Dynamic Neighborhoods" this past May — on November 16, CAS Professor and CLALS Affiliate Michael Bader presented outcomes of that workshop and results of the most recent DC Area Survey to the DC metro region's planning directors at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Parliament of the World's Religions

November 4-5, 2018
Toronto, Canada

CAS Professor and CLALS Affiliate Evan Berry and CLALS Research Associate Professor Rob Albro were invited to participate in the Parliament of the World's Religions in Toronto to discuss outcomes of the Center's Luce Foundation-funded project, "Religion and Climate Change in Cross-Regional Perspective." The Parliament promotes global dialogue among the world's faiths, and offers an opportunity to engage faith-based actors and organizations. Albro and Berry spoke with various religious leaders about project outcomes, and presented two public panels on diverse religious engagements with climate change and best practices in the area of faith-based engagement with climate change.

An Evening with Carmen Boullosa

October 31, 2018
American University | Washington, DC

As a part of the Center's partnership with the Mexican Ministry of Culture, the Cátedra Program welcomed esteemed Mexican author Carmen Boullosa for a public panel event on her work. Boullosa read an excerpt from one of her short stories, spoke about her formation as a writer and her most recent novels, and answered audience questions about Mexican literature from the U.S.-Mexico border and her influences as a feminist author. 

An Evening with Gabriela Alemán

September 27, 2018
American University | Washington, DC

The Departments of Literature and World Languages & Cultures and CLALS hosted a panel discussion with Ecuadorian novelist and film critic Gabriela Alemán. In front of an audience of 70 students, faculty members, and the public, Alemán read an excerpt from her recently-translated novel Poso Wells, and discussed the transformative power of literature. Panelists included CAS professors Núria Vilanova and Jeff Middents, as well as former CLALS Research Fellow Dolores Tierney.

Transnational Population Flows, Community Integration, and Access to Rights and Services: A North American Challenge

September 27, 2018
The Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs | Mexico City, Mexico

As a part of the Second Annual Metropolis North America Migration Policy Forum, select participants of the Center's North American Research Initiative presented a panel on the dynamics of transnational migration in the region across the subfields of community integration, family dynamics, asylum practices, and forced migration. 

Participants:

• Michael Danielson, Visiting Faculty, University of California-DC: Transnational Processes of Forced Migration in North America
• Kiran Banerjee, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Studies, University of Saskatchewan & Joseph Garcea, Professor, Department of Political Studies, University of Saskatchewan: Coherence, Consonance, and Coordination of Migration Policy Webs in North America
• Alexandra Délano Alsonso, Associate Professor, The New School of Social: Research Towards a Transnational Understanding of Sanctuary Practices
• Eric Hershberg, Professor, Department of Government, American University: Institutional and Community Responses to Immigrant Integration: Evidence from the DC Metropolitan Area

Migration, Diasporas, and the Sustainable Development Goals in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small States

September 11, 2018
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS, the School of International Service, and the Department of Sociology hosted a presentation by Dr. Keith Nurse, Senior Research Fellow and World Trade Organization Chair from the University of the West Indies. Dr. Nurse presented his research on migration as a powerful mechanism to reduce poverty and global inequality within and across nations. He explained that migration and the "diasporic economy" have transformative potential to benefit migrants, their families, and sending countries, and encouraged the audience to re-frame their thinking about global migration.

Dynamics in North America Beyond NAFTA

August 23, 2018
Mexico City, Mexico

As a part of the Center's Robert A. Pastor North America Research Initiative, CLALS and El Colegio de México hosted a public panel discussion on dynamics in North America beyond NAFTA. The event, which was attended by 75 people in Mexico City, considered migration, finance, and the environment as areas of collaboration within North America. Panelists Ernesto Castañeda (Assistant Professor, AU's College of Arts & Sciences), Daniela Stevens (Ph.D. Candidate, AU's School of Public Affairs), and Chris Wilson (The Wilson Center) were joined by El Colegio's Gerardo Esquivel for the discussion. Watch a recording of the event.

Corruption in Honduras: Can MACCIH Make a Dent?

July 31, 2018
Inter-American Dialogue | Washington, DC

In partnership with the Inter-American Dialogue and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), CLALS held an event at the Dialogue to assess the past progress and future prospects in combating corruption and impunity in Honduras, as part of the Monitoring MACCIH project. SIS Professor and project lead Chuck Call opened the event with a summary of the Center's recent report on the first two years of MACCIH. The event continued with interventions from Luis Santos, Head of Special Attorney's Unit Against Impunity and Corruption (UFECIC), and Ana María Calderón Boy, Coordinator of MACCIH's Division of Prevention and Combating of Corruption. Adriana Beltrán of WOLA moderated the lively discussion, which was attended by over 100 people. Watch a recording of the event.

Consequences of the Trump Administration's Policies for Central America: Reflections from the U.S. and the Region

July 12-13, 2018

In partnership with CLALS' long-time collaborator the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Sede Académica Costa Rica (FLACSO-Costa Rica), the Center convened a two-day workshop featuring academics from Central America and the United States to reflect upon the short and long-term consequences of the Trump administration's policies for Central America. In a series of panel presentations and roundtable discussions, participants expanded upon the changes in the relationship between U.S. and Central American elites and the balance of power between the region and its northern neighbor, highlighting the following thematic areas: migration; insecurity and violence; political regimes and governance; and U.S. aid and economic strategies for the region.

Select panels were streamed via Facebook Live, and are available on the Center's Facebook page.

Policies to Advance Community Integration of Central American Migrants: Lessons from the DC and Houston Metropolitan Areas

June 27, 2018
American University | Washington, DC

In this second stakeholder briefing, researchers from American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies and the University of Houston presented preliminary findings from a joint initiative examining the impact of Central American migration on U.S. communities. The panelists included Eric Hershberg and Dennis Stinchcomb of CLALS, and Jodi Berger-Cardoso and Alex Steffler of the University of Houston. This event was hosted by the Washington College of Law's Program on Law and Government.

Dos años de la MACCIH: Avances y desafíos

June 21, 2018
Tegucigalpa, Honduras

As part of the Center's project on Monitoring MACCIH and Anti-Impunity Efforts in Honduras, CLALS and the Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana (UNITEC) hosted a public event to present a two-year report, authored by SIS Professor and project lead Charles Call, on the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH)'s progress and challenges that it faces in an increasingly polarizing atmosphere in Honduras. Watch a full recording of the event.

Policies to Advance Community Integration of Central American Migrants: Lessons from the DC and Houston Metropolitan Areas

June 7, 2018
American University | Washington, DC

Researchers from CLALS and the University of Houston presented findings from a joint initiative examining the community integration of newly arrived Central American children and families. Based on data collected from 120 interviews with local community stakeholders and services providers in the Washington, DC and Houston metropolitan areas, as well as in North and South Carolina, the event highlighted the strategies and best practices employed by receiving communities to address the educational, legal, health, and social service needs of this newcomer population. A series of policy briefs will be released in conjunction with the two events. This first stakeholder briefing was co-sponsored by the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative.

Diplomacy, Religion and Resilience in Small Island Developing States

May 22, 2018
Hogan Lovells | Washington, DC

Researchers from the Religion & Climate Change in Cross-Regional Perspective project convened a public event on climate diplomacy, co-sponsored by Sister Cities International, to address forms of collaboration around climate change, primarily among countries in the Caribbean. Using a round table format, participants from the religion and climate change project reported on project outcomes, while select ambassadors from SIDS nations concerned with climate change discussed implications of this work.

Religion and Climate Change Adaptation: Resilience or Resistance?

April 19, 2018
University of Leeds | United Kingdom

The role of religions in shaping public understanding and action in response to climate change today should be taken seriously by civil society and policymakers. Former CLALS Affiliate and AU Professor Evan Berry spoke about CLALS' two-year project on religion and climate change developed at this event at the University of Leeds. The presentation showcased diverse case studies to highlight how religious commitments can run at cross-purposes to ecological sustainability.

Fourth Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum: Health Services and Latino Youth

March 19, 2018
American University | Washington, DC

This fourth annual forum convened American University faculty and distinguished national experts from the legal and medical fields, together with local government and community representatives, to address the critical issue of access to health services for often undocumented, underserved, and at-risk Latino youth. The forum featured opening remarks from American University President Sylvia Burwell and a key note address from Leonardo Cuello, Director of Health Policy and the National Health Law Program. The three moderated panels addressed the federal landscape, ongoing challenges and solutions for local jurisdictions, the emerging inter-professional and community collaborations working to provide these services, and some of the most innovative school-based models for service delivery.

Co-sponsors for this event included American University's Center for Health, Risk and Society and the Washington College of Law's Health Law and Policy Program.

Bolivia Symposium: Assessing the Contemporary Social and Political Landscape

March 5, 2018
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS, the Bolivia section of the Latin American Studies Association, and AU's Department of World Languages and Cultures hosted a one-day public symposium on the contemporary social and political landscape in Bolivia. Select AU faculty and distinguished experts on Bolivia reflected on such important legacies as ongoing efforts to enfranchise Bolivia's majority indigenous population; the administration's social redistributive policies and their impacts; the prospects for the Bolivian model going forward; as well as for U.S.-Bolivian relations in the context of changing hemispheric and global relations.

La Lucha por el Pasado: A Conversation with Elizabeth Jelin

February 26, 2018
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS welcomed Elizabeth Jelin, renowned Argentine sociologist, for a conversation about her latest book, La lucha por el pasado: cómo construimos la memoria social. Known for her work on memory, human rights, citizenship, social movements, and gender, Jelin's newest work expands upon her work on memory as a social construct and the tensions in articulating different-and often conflicting-memories of political and state oppression.

MS-13 Symposium at California State University, Fullerton

February 22, 2018
California State University, Fullerton | California

As part of a Center-sponsored initiative on the transnational capacity of MS-13 in the U.S. and El Salvador, funded by the National Institute of Justice, this symposium brought together researchers from Arizona State University, California State University, and InSight Crime to discuss the history and current state of MS-13 in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and El Salvador.

Understanding MS13: Separating Fact from Fiction at the Inter-American Dialogue

February 16, 2018
Inter-American Dialogue | Washington, DC

The Center and InSight Crime presented findings from the comprehensive report "MS13 in the Americas," at the Inter-American Dialogue. This event featured the report's authors, Steven Dudley and Héctor Silva Ávalos, and commentary from Vanda Felbab-Brown of the Brookings Institution. Watch a full-length recording from the event.

2017

Canadian and Mexican Visions of North America

November 8-9, 2017
University of Ottowa | Canada

For its third workshop, the Robert A. Pastor North America Research Initiative convened 15 scholars from the region and beyond to explore Canada-Mexico relations across a range of themes at the University of Ottawa. Although the Canada-Mexico relationship has traditionally been considered the "weakest link" within the region, the uncertainty about NAFTA, its renegotiation and a potential transformation of trade relations in the region highlight the importance of strengthening bilateral ties. Pastor Scholars, grouped by thematic interest, presented and discussed working papers during the two-day workshop on topics such as migration, trade, finance and investment, and integrated new issues into the research agenda such as energy, climate change, violence and political and social identities. As a result of the workshop, the scholars were able to produce clear roadmaps for furthering collaborative research projects that will come to fruition because of the professional relationships that the Initiative fosters.

In addition, senior Canadian intellectuals, such as Laura MacDonald (Carleton University), joined the participants in stimulating and productive discussions, while the Initiative also invited Adriana Vega, Director of International Policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, for a conversation about the position of the Canadian business sector vis-à-vis Mexican partners. Finally, former Canadian Ambassador and Consul Colin Robertson addressed the scholars and the broader public in an event held at the University of Ottawa, where he emphasized the strategic importance of the Canada-Mexico relationship during these turbulent times. The event, co-sponsored by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, attracted an audience comprised of Mexican and Canadian diplomats, students and scholars, representatives from the business sector, and members of institutions that bridge the gap between diplomacy and academia.

An Evening with Filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke and Film Screening at the Inter-American Development Bank

October 25-26, 2017
Inter-American Development Bank | Washington, DC

Through its partnership with the Mexican Ministry of Culture's National Fund for Arts & Culture to promote Mexican art and culture, and in coordination with the Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, DC, CLALS welcomed filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke for a presentation and discussion of his work. With College of Arts & Sciences faculty Jeff Middents and Núria Vilanova and former CLALS Research Fellow Dolores Tierney, Eimbcke shared his thoughts on the state of Mexican cinema in the context of global independent filmmaking. The following evening, Eimbcke's most recent film Club Sandwich was screened at the Inter-American Development Bank, followed by a Q&A session with the filmmaker.

Conflict & Crisis in Venezuela: Human Rights & International Responses

October 23, 2017
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS and the Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law at the Washington College of Law convened an event to examine the political and human rights crises in Venezuela, which have placed the country at the center of discussions over hemispheric security. Experts Maria Corina Muskus Toro (human rights expert), Geoff Ramsey (Washington Office on Latin America), and Carla Bustillos (Visión Democrática), with moderator Michael McCarthy (CLALS), provided insight into Venezuela's deepening human rights crisis and explained how different international responses have sought to address the conflict-ridden situation in front of an audience of law students and others.

Final Religion & Climate Change Workshop in Trinidad & Tobago

October 2-3, 2017
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine | Trinidad & Tobago

As a part of its Religion and Climate Change in Cross-Regional Perspective project, CLALS organized and co-sponsored a two-day workshop in Trinidad & Tobago on "Small Island Vulnerabilities in the Pacific and Caribbean." Hosted by the Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies-St. Augustine, this workshop convened researchers from Oceania, the Caribbean and Latin America, the US, and Europe, to consider the role of religion in the adaptation to emerging challenges for island ecosystems and states, made worse by climate change. This includes consideration of how rising sea levels, coastal erosion, unpredictable and severe weather patterns, flooding, and related effects of climate change impact the sustainability of economies, societies and community identities, and religious and community responses." The workshop concluded with a public event that addressed the intersection of religion with climate change in small island contexts.

Book Launch and Discussion - Cuba Libre: A 500-Year Quest for Independence

September 19, 2017
American University | Washington, DC

American University's U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security Program, Department of History, and CLALS convened a conversation with Professor Philip Brenner to discuss his most recent book, Cuba Libre: A 500-Year Quest for Independence (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017). Co-authored with award-winning foreign correspondent and former deputy foreign editor at the Washington Post Peter Eisner, Cuba Libre presents an accessible introduction to the history of Cuba since 1492. Eisner, Brenner, and a panel of experts participated in a lively discussion with the audience about the Cuban struggle for independence as well as current events on the island.

Symposium: Agribusiness Challenges and Opportunities for the United States and Cuba

July 18, 2017
American University | Washington, DC

The University of Florida's Center for Latin American Studies, the Latin American Agribusiness Development Corporation (LAAD), la Universidad de la Habana, el Instituto de Investigaciones de Sanidad Vegetal, and CLALS hosted a symposium on agribusiness challenges and opportunities for the U.S. and Cuba. The morning session focused on economic and social factors, while the afternoon session delved into phytosanitary issues. Panelists from la Universidad de Habana and the University of Florida engaged with over 40 audience members comprised of policymakers, agribusiness stakeholders, and students.

Sex, Crimes, and Sin: A Dialogue on Sexuality, Law and Religion in Latin America

June 12, 2017
American University | Washington, DC

Together with the Washington College of Law's Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law and Academy on Human Rights & Humanitarian Law, CLALS participated in the launch of the E-Book Sexo, delitos y pecados (CLALS, 2016). In addition to introducing the Spanish-language edited volume, the launch included a panel discussion with expert academics and advocates, who are engaged in impact litigation across Latin America concerned with the rights of LGBT people and women's reproductive rights, including Macarena Sáez, Rebecca Cook, and Mónica Roa.

Religion and Climate Diplomacy in the Caribbean

July 10, 2017
The Wilson Center | Washington, DC

With attention to faith-based civil society actors, this public forum focused on the role of climate diplomacy for small island developing states (SIDS) in the Caribbean, where regular engagement between local or community stakeholders and national policy makers take up pressing concerns associated with economic livelihoods and sustainability. This forum addressed how religious actors identify climate as a basis of outreach and collaboration, what other issues are connected to climate in the course of such efforts, and what added value religious voices might bring to this work. This event was co-sponsored by the Wilson Center's Environmental Change and Security Program and is a part of the Religion & Climate Change in Cross-Regional Perspective project, sponsored by the Luce Foundation.

Why is the Middle-Income Trap a Trap? A Political Economy Perspective

June 2, 2017
Inter-American Development Bank | Washington, DC

CLALS and the Research Department of the Inter-American Development Bank hosted a public panel event at the IDB about the "middle-income trap" among Latin American and other countries from a political economy perspective. Professors Richard F. Doner (Emory University) and Ben Ross Schneider (MIT) presented and led a discussion with the audience, emphasizing the importance of political coalition building in improving these countries' economies.

Religion & Climate Change Workshop in Lima

May 2-3, 2017
Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya | Lima, Peru

As part of the Religion and Climate Change in Cross-Regional Perspective project, CLALS organized and co-sponsored a two-day workshop in Lima, Peru, focused on "Mountains and Implications of Glacial Melt in the Himalaya and Andes," hosted by the Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya. Together with our co-sponsor, CLALS also organized a public forum, held at the university and which addressed "Latin America's Current Contributions to International Climate Change Negotiations," which featured multiple workshop participants together with Peru's top climate negotiator. This forum considered the range and impact of the region's contributions to moving forward international dialogue and cooperation around climate change over the previous decade.

CLALS at LASA 2017

April 29-May 1, 2017
Lima, Peru

The Latin American Studies Association 2017 Congress took place in Lima, Peru from April 29 to May 1, 2017. CLALS presented two panels based on Center initiatives.

"Religion, Climate Change, and People on the Move: Latin America and South Asia"

As part of the Religion and Climate Change in Cross-Regional Perspective project, this panel explored climate-induced movements of people and the contributions of religion as an often overlooked but key factor in strategies of community adaptation and resilience, but also as part of public responses to the increase of climate refugees in Latin America and South Asia.

"A New Chapter in U.S.-Cuba Relations: Economic Implications"

Drawing on the edited volume A New Chapter in U.S.-Cuba Relations (Palgrave, 2016), the first major scholarly publication devoted to the implications of normalization, this roundtable panel explored the evolving relationship between Cuba and the U.S. in the context of economic change within the island.

Mountains and Sacred Landscapes Conference

April 20-23, 2017
The New School | New York City

As part of the Religion and Climate Change in Cross-Regional Perspective project, CLALS Research Associate Professor Rob Albro and former CLALS Affiliate Evan Berry co-organized a panel presentation at the Mountains and Sacred Landscapes Conference: "Climate Change, Religious Movement, and the Sacred." Research presented in this panel focused upon the effects of shifting environmental conditions on religious movement, including pilgrimage, networks of patronage and exchange, and ritualized migration practices. The conference was co-sponsored with the New School's India China Institute; the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture; the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development; and CLALS.

Regional Cooperation in an Era of Global Backlash, Mexico City 

March 30-31, 2017
Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas | Mexico City, MX

The second workshop of the Robert A. Pastor North America Research Initiative convened a group of scholars at the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) in Mexico City. Participating scholars and several guest speakers from Mexico City's research community engaged in a two-day conversation on the sources and manifestations of backlash, and its implications for the future of the North American project. Scholars also participated in a public panel at the Instituto Matías Romero, which explored the ties that bind North America despite turbulent times.

Artesanos Documentary Screening

March 8, 2017
American University | Washington, DC

As part of an ongoing partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute, CLALS hosted a screening of the documentary Artesanos, which explores the contributions of Mexican migrant artisans to various creative industries in Los Angeles. A panel discussion, moderated by School of Communication Professor Carolyn Brown, featured panelists from the film's production company, Dignicraft.

ALPAF 2017 - Latino Entrepreneurship: Access to Capital, Challenges for Growth

February 27, 2017
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS and the Kogod School of Business jointly sponsored the 3rd Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum (ALPAF), which considered the challenges faced by Latino entrepreneurs in accessing financial capital, as well as possible solutions. Please see the ALPAF page for more information on CLALS' annual forum and video recordings from the event.

Country Conditions in Central America and Asylum Decision-Making: Public Forum

January 12, 2017
American University | Washington, DC

Building on Center-based research on factors driving Central American migration, CLALS and the Washington College of Law convened a two-day workshop to share insights across disciplinary perspectives in order to enhance scholarship and better inform lawyers and other practitioners working with Central American asylum seekers. With support from the National Science Foundation, the workshop connected social scientists with expertise on conditions driving migration from Central America with legal scholars and practitioners engaged in innovative thinking around ways to bridge the gap between complex forms of persecution in Central America and protections offered under U.S. immigration law. Nearly 130 people attended the opening workshop sessions.

2016

Civil Society's Role in Combating Climate Change: Delhi, India

December 8-9, 2016
Delhi, India

As a part of the Religion and Climate Change in Cross-Regional Perspective project, CLALS organized and co-sponsored a two-day workshop in Delhi, India which was hosted by the Observer Research Foundation. Together with the American Center in New Delhi, CLALS also organized a public policy forum, which featured AU professors Ken Conca and Evan Berry together with a US Embassy representative and Indian officials experienced with climate change policy. This forum considered the role of civil society in shaping policy responses to climate change, as a moral call to action, and compared the US with India, while considering how civil society might serve as a catalyst for bilateral cooperation around present and future climate challenges.

Judges, Accountability, and Challenges to Democratic Governance in Brazil 

November 21, 2016
American University | Washington, DC

In the wake of scandals such as Lava Jato, Brazilian democracy has come under threat in recent years, with different actors such as federal prosecutors and the media challenging liberal democracy. This panel addressed judicial power and the state of democratic governance in Brazil, featuring the following panelists: CLALS Research Fellow Fabio Kerche, Associate Director of the Atlantic Council Andrea Murta, and Media Researcher Paula Orlando. This panel was moderated by SIS Professor Matt Taylor and introduced by CLALS Director Eric Hershberg.

Beyond the "Three Amigos": Where's the North American Agenda Now? 

October 27, 2016
Mexican Cultural Institute | Washington, DC

As part of the Robert A. Pastor North American Research Initiative, CLALS and the School of International Service hosted a two-day workshop of emerging scholars to discuss the new agenda for North American integration. This public panel showcased five international scholars and their work on North American integration, including themes such as migration, populism, the environment, and governance in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

An Evening with Margo Glantz

October 26, 2016
American University | Washington, DC

A definitive voice in the world of Mexican literature, Margo Glantz is an acclaimed writer, essayist, scholar, and literary critic whose unique work has traversed genres for nearly seven decades. Through CLALS' partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute, Glantz and a panel of AU scholars and others engaged in conversation about Glantz's life and universally-celebrated work, emphasizing Glantz's perspective about the fundamental role of literature in contemporary Mexican society.

Latinas/os in the Upcoming Elections: Trends in Politics

October 17, 2016
American University | Washington, DC

This panel discussed the role of the Latino/a vote in the 2016 presidential election, drawing upon data and field research to understand the diversity within Latina/o communities, as well as new voting trends. Speakers included Dr. Mark López, Director of Hispanic Research at Pew Research Center; Valeria Ojeda, President of the Kennedy Political Union; and Ed O'Keefe, Political Reporter at The Washington Post and AU alum.

DC Area Survey Report Release: "Neighborhood Diversity and Well-Being: A Pilot of American University's DC Area Survey"

October 3, 2016
American University, Washington, DC

Researchers and practitioners shared findings from the inaugural DC Area Survey (DCAS), a project headed by American University's Metropolitan Policy Center in the School of Public Affairs. The survey of over 1,200 households captured resident perceptions of neighborhood satisfaction, health, crime, and governance in ethnically and racially diverse communities in the metropolitan DC area.

Download report

2015

The Economist Events' Cuba Summit

December 3, 2015
Four Seasons Hotel | Washington, DC

As part of our ongoing commitment to the Cuba Initiative, CLALS was pleased to support the inaugural Cuba Summit, which offered insight and analysis on pressing issues facing potential investors in Cuba. Participants heard from Economist editors, senior leaders, and other experts discussing how to navigate the short- and long-term risks and opportunities of doing business on the island. Included among these panelists was CLALS Research fellow Ricardo Torres, who spoke on the future of monetary reform, as well as about human capital and market regulation on the island. News coverage of the event was provided by Cuba Journal and Voice of America.

Beyond Washington: America's Heartland Supports US-Cuba Engagement

November 17, 2015
The Atlantic Council | Washington, DC

Do voters in the Heartland support peeling away the Cuban travel restrictions and scrapping the embargo overall? At this event, the Atlantic Council released the first Heartland poll where voters from Iowa, Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana -- states critical in the presidential election and in congressional discussions -- spoke out on the need for further changes to US-Cuba policy.

Una Noche Con María Elena Salinas, Univision Anchor

November 16, 2015
American University | Washington, DC

María Elena Salinas visited a packed house at AU's School of Communications and discussed her work as an award-winning news anchor at Univision and trailblazing Latina journalist. Topics covered included migration from Central American, Spanish language media, and the importance of the Latino vote.

Co-sponsored by the Kay Spiritual Life Center, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Center for Community Engagement and Service, and School of Communication.

An Evening with Mexican Filmmaker Guita Schyfter

October 28, 2015
American University | Washington, DC

Through its partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute, CLALS hosted acclaimed Mexican film director Guita Schyfter for a panel discussion and Q&A session with the audience. Joining her were Amy Oliver of the Department of Philosophy and Religion; Jeff Middents of the Department of Literature; and Núria Vilanova of the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

Corruption, Violence, and Reform: Honduras' Struggle for Democratic Governance

October 13, 2015
American University | Washington, DC

Among Latin American countries, the challenges faced by Honduras today are some of the most severe. Ongoing corruption scandals, lackluster growth, and persistent violence have hobbled the public's trust in politics and public institutions. At the same time, reform efforts to date have been halfhearted. The recently announced OAS "Support Mission against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras" (MACCIH) has been met with mixed reactions. Many are skeptical about the government's commitment to fighting corruption and improving democratic governance through existing institutions and insist on new mechanisms.

In light of these issues, CLALS and the Inter-American Dialogue hosted Honduran economist Hugo Noé Pino, who discussed the country's current crisis and propose alternative solutions. He was joined by Carlos Ponce of Freedom House, who has followed Honduras closely for many years and provided commentary and additional insights on the situation and prospects for reform.

Over 50 guests joined us from nonprofits, think tanks, media organizations, and the U.S. government.

Religion and Climate Change in the Public Sphere: The Role of Journalists and the Media

September 28, 2015
American University | Washington, DC

This workshop, in partnership with the Henry Luce Foundation and the Pulitzer Center, brought together journalists and academic experts following the papal visit to the United States and using the the appearance of the papal encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si',as the workshop's orienting point of reference.

This day-long workshop assessed the evolution (or lack thereof) of prevailing journalistic and media frames for reportage on the role of religion in public discussion, debate, and activism on climate change. An important concern throughout was how the political agency of religion is represented in media coverage and to identify prevailing frames and their effects, to explore alternative frames, and to suggest what might be missing from such reportage and public debate. 

This meeting was open to the public and co-organized by CLALS and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. The workshop represented a continuation of collaborations between the Pulitzer Center and American University, including AU's School of Communication. It is also part of a Luce Foundation-funded CLALS project on Democratic Contestation in Latin America, dedicated to exploring the relationship of religion to the environment across the region. The workshop drew in a crowd of approximately fifty students, faculty, and community members.

Event videos and summary via the Pulitzer Center

Does Venezuela's Globovisión New Coverage Show Bias?: Independent Study to Report Findings

May 19, 2015
National Press Club | Washington, DC

On May 19, CLALS released a new media report, Bias or Neutrality? An Assessment of Television News Coverage in Venezuela by Globovisión. The briefing and Q and A at the National Press Club were led by CLALS Director Eric Hershberg and the team of researchers who carried out the study. Voice of America reported on the release.

Background: The issue of press freedom and ownership is a pressing one globally. Globovisión, one of the most important media groups in Venezuela where stringent media laws operate, offers 24/7 television media coverage. The issue of independence and editorial policy over the last two years under new ownership has been questioned.

Read the press release in Spanish

Conceptual and Methodological Approaches to the Study of Safe and Inclusive Cities in Latin America*

May 14, 2015
Washington Office on Latin America | Washington, DC

Scholars involved in three projects supported by the Safe and Inclusive Cities program discussed conceptual and methodological advances to address pressing urban issues in Latin America. Key findings were presented of recent work in Central America; Chile, Colombia, and Peru; and Venezuela.

Panelists

• Roberto Briceño-León, Observatorio Venezolano de Violencia
• Larissa Brioso, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales-El Salvador
• Rodolfo Calderón, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales-Costa Rica
• Hugo Frühling, Centro de Estudios de Seguridad Ciudadana en la Universidad de Chile

Co-hosted by the Washington Office on Latin America and American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies.

Event webcast via WOLA

*This event were part of the Safe and Inclusive Cities program of the International Development Research Centre and the UK's Department for International Development, in which CLALS participated in Central American research undertaken by FLACSO-Costa Rica and FLACSO-El Salvador.

Policy Implications of Recent Research on Building Safe and Inclusive Cities in Latin America*

May 13, 2015
Wilson Center | Washington, DC

Over 55 guests joined us for a panel discussion on policy implications of recent studies of urban violence in Latin America and their relevance for building safe and inclusive cities throughout the region.

Panelists:

• Jennifer Salahub, International Development Research Centre
• Juan Pablo Pérez Sáinz, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales-Costa Rica
• Roberto Briceño-León, Observatorio Venezolano de Violencia
• Hugo Frühling, Centro de Estudios de Seguridad Ciudadana en la Universidad de Chile

Commentators:

• Adriana Beltrán,Washington Office on Latin America
• Adam Blackwell, Organization of American States

Co-hosted by the Wilson Center's Urban Sustainability Laboratory and Latin American Program, and American University's CLALS and Metropolitan Studies Center.

Event webcast and presentations via the Wilson Center

*This event was part of the Safe and Inclusive Cities program of the International Development Research Centre and the UK's Department for International Development, in which CLALS participated in Central American research undertaken by FLACSO-Costa Rica and FLACSO-El Salvador.

Brazilian Film Series - Cruzamentos

January - February, 2015
Washington, DC

Presented by the AU School of Communications (SOC), the National Gallery of Art, and the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies.

Cruzamentos featured both recent and historic works representing the remarkable wave of documentary filming that occurred after the fall of Brazil's military dictatorship. Cruzamentos translates as "intersections," a nod to the fusion of influences that makes Brazilian culture so distinctive.

CLALS extends our thanks to the following Affiliated Faculty and Doctoral Students who offered their expertise presenting films during the series: Renato Alvim, Jeff Middents, Paula Orlando, and Ana Serra.

Seminario: Globalización, élites, estados y reconfiguración del poder en Centroamérica

February 19, 2015
Guatemala City, Guatemala 

At a conference on globalization, elites, and the reconfiguration of power in Central America, Director Eric Hershberg joined distinguished scholars from the U.S., Europe, and Central America to present two newly-published books featuring findings from the Center's project on The Reconfiguration of Elites and Power in Central America.

The event was jointly sponsored by CLALS, the Instituto de Investigaciones y Gerencia Política (INGEP) at the Universidad Rafael Landívar, and the Instituto Centroamericano de Estudios Fiscales (ICEFI).

ALPAF 2015: Prospects & Implications of Immigration Reform Policies 2015-2016

January 15, 2015
American University | Washington DC

The inaugural Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum (ALPAF) considered the prospects and possibilities for immigration policy during the last two years of the Obama administration. The half-day event featured panels of academics, political analysts, advocates, and other stakeholders. Further information about ALPAF 2015, along with a video recording of the Forum panels, is available on the ALPAF webpage.

2014

Unaccompanied Migrant Children From Central America: Report Presentation

December 4, 2014
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS researchers presented findings from a Center study exploring the factors behind the migration of Central American children and families from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The report is part of a Ford Foundation-supported initiative to inform advocates and practitioners working on behalf of these new arrivals, and focuses on three key topics:

• The unprecedented expansion in the number of youth and family border crossings in the context of long-term migration trends from the region;
• The country conditions ("push factors") driving the exodus of Central American minors and families; and
• The new arrivals' prospects for remaining in the U.S. in light of available forms of deportation relief as well as current policy and advocacy responses.

Over 65 guests were in attendance, including representatives from several Central American embassies, Amnesty International, and D.C.-based immigrant advocacy organizations.

Emerging Directions in Latino Studies: A Panel Discussion

November 14, 2014
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS and the College of Arts and Sciences joined students, staff and faculty at a panel discussion on emerging directions in Latino Studies. An interactive Q&A session and reception followed presentations by three distinguished panelists:

• Ali Valenzuela, Department of Politics, Princeton University;
• Lázaro Lima, Department of American Studies and Department of Latin American & Iberian Studies, University of Richmond; and
• Patricia Foxen, Department of Research, National Council on La Raza (NCLR).

Social Justice Movements: Religion, Sex, and Nature in Latin America

November 7, 2014
Washington, DC

The panel discussion featured U.S. and Latin American experts and addressed religious engagement with two sets of contentious issues across the region: environmental justice, climate change, and the exploitation of natural resources, on the one hand, and gender, women's reproductive rights, and sexual identity rights, on the other. Moderated by American University professors Evan Berry and Macarena Sáez, the panel explored religious responses to questions of the environment and gender as well as religion's role in regional contestation around these questions. This event was part of a two-year CLALS project on Religion and Democratic Contestation in Latin America, generously funded by the Henry R. Luce Foundation's Initiative on Religion and International Affairs.

Back Channel to Cuba: A Conversation

November 4, 2014
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS Faculty Affiliate William LeoGrande and Peter Kornbluh talked about their new book chronicling the untold history of attempts at rapprochement and reconciliation between the United States and Cuba. From John F. Kennedy's offering of an olive branch to Fidel Castro after the missile crisis, to Henry Kissinger's top secret quest for normalization, to Barack Obama's promise of a "new approach," LeoGrande and Kornbluh revealed a fifty-year record of dialogue and negotiations, both open and furtive, indicating a path toward better relations in the future.

Unaccompanied Migrant Children From Central America: Context, Causes, & Advocacy Responses

September 22, 2014
American University | Washington, DC

As part of the Center's Ford Foundation-supported initiative aimed at informing advocates engaged in protecting the rights and welfare of unaccompanied minors from Central America, CLALS Director Eric Hershberg and Program Manager Dennis Stinchcomb presented an overview of the factors driving the recent wave of children and families from the region to an audience of over 50 advocates, social workers, and lawyers. Particular attention was paid to those contextual push factors that could be used as the basis for seeking deportation relief. CLALS staff were joined by WCL Professor Jayesh Rathod, who discussed U.S. jurisprudence on gang-based asylum claims and the state of due process and right-to-counsel litigation for unaccompanied minors.

In this effort, CLALS partnered with The Door, a NYC-based youth development agency at the forefront of advocating for unaccompanied migrant children in the metropolitan area.

Writing isn't Solitude: Cristina Rivera Garza

September 17, 2014
American University | Washington, DC

Through its partnership with the Mexican Ministry of Culture, CLALS was pleased to welcome award-winning author Cristina Rivera Garza for a panel discussion on the place of writing and community in the context of contemporary violence. She was joined by Professor Jeff Middents from the Department of Literature and by Professors Núria Vilanova and Brenda Werth from the Department of World Languages and Cultures. More than 50 guests were in attendance.

Cuba, The 2015 Americas Summit, and Beyond: Obstacles and Opportunities

September 4, 2014
Université Privé | Ottawa, Canada

On the threshold of the 2015 Presidential Summit in Panama, a group of distinguished scholars, diplomats and practitioners gathered in Ottawa on September 4 to discuss the much-debated participation of Cuba in the upcoming OAS assembly. Sponsored by the University of Ottawa, American University, the Coordinadora Regional de Investigaciones Economicas y Sociales and the Latin America Study Group of the Canadian International Council, with funding from the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, the discussion analyzed past and present U.S.-Cuba relations in the context of an increasingly multipolar hemisphere and examined ways in which third-party stakeholders like Canada might encourage policy change to benefit long-term inter-American dynamics.

Book Launch and Discussion: Police and Organized Crime in El Salvador

May 19, 2014
Washington, DC

The infiltration of public institutions in Central America by organized criminal groups is a critical issue that has posed an increasing risk to democracy and the rule of law in various parts of the region over the last decade. This is among the many challenges awaiting the new administration in El Salvador that begins on June 1st.

A new book by Salvadoran journalist, former diplomat, and former CLALS Senior Fellow Héctor Silva Ávalos illuminates a particular aspect of this problem. Silva shared the main findings of Infiltrators: A Chronicle of Corruption in the National Civil Police of El Salvador. The book's findings are based on archival and field research supported by a grant from the Open Society Foundations.

We were delighted that Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), who has a longstanding interest in human rights and El Salvador's political process during the past three decades, and Steven Dudley, Co-Director of InSight Crime, provided commentary on Silva's book, which was available for purchase at the session. A wide-ranging conversation followed opening comments.

A Conversation with the President of Uruguay

May 13, 2014
American University | Washington, DC

American University was honored to welcome Uruguayan President José Mujica to campus.

Creative and Cultural Industries Symposium

May 9, 2014
Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

On May 9, 2014 the Broward County Cultural Division convened a panel discussion on the contribution of creativity as a key element of economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The panel was comprised of members from the Inter-American Development Bank's Culture, Creativity, and Solidarity Affairs Division and from CLALS, including Director Eric Hershberg, Research Associate Professor Robert Albro, and Faculty Affiliates Andrew Taylor and Ximena Varela. Read more about the Center's Project on Creative and Cultural Industries in Latin America.

Contemporary Mexican Literature: Mario Bellatin

April 16, 2014
Washington, DC

Through its partnership with the Mexican Ministry of Culture, CLALS was pleased to welcome acclaimed novelist Mario Bellatin for a panel discussion on contemporary Mexican literature. He was joined by panelists Yuri Herrera, also a distinguished Mexican author, and Professors Ana Serra and Juliana Martínez from the Department of World Languages and Cultures. The event was held in Spanish with 90 people in attendance.

Élites, estados y reconfiguraciones del poder en Centroamérica

April 9, 2014
San Salvador, El Salvador

As part of its multi-year project on the Reconfiguration of Elites and Power in Central America, CLALS convened a panel discussion to present project findings in San Salvador, El Salvador. Panelists discussed the principal changes and continuities in elite configurations and identified the mechanisms through which elites are currently engaging the economic, political, and social orders throughout the Central American isthmus. Based on project conclusions, panelists reflected on how these new elite configurations and the ways in which they wield their power impact issues of democratic governance for new and incoming administrations in El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica. Over 120 people were in attendance.

Panelists included:

Eric Hershberg, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University
Benedicte Bull, Associate Professor at the Center for Development and the Environment (SUM) at the University of Oslo
Ricardo Barrientos, Senior Economist and specialist in fiscal policy at the Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies (Icefi)
Hugo Noé Pino, Economist of Honduras at the Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies (Icefi)

The Republicans' Latino Problem and How it Can Be Fixed

March 7, 2014
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS convened two panels of experts to discuss the future of Latino voters' relationship with the Republican Party. The first panel addressed the main issues complicating Latino support of the GOP, and the second panel presented how the party might seek to connect with Latino voters. Academics, analysts, and political strategists included Jason Casellas, Eric Hershberg, Sylvia Manzano, Ali Valenzuela, Jordan Fabian, Glen Bolger, Leslie Sanchez, and David Winston.

C-SPAN video coverage of Panel 1 and Panel 2.

Religion and Justice in Latin America Today

November 20, 2014
Pew Research Center | Washington, DC

Scholars from the U.S. and Latin America gathered for a panel discussion about the engagement between religious actors in Latin American democracies and contentious issues of environmental justice, the exploitation of natural resources, and gender and sexuality-based rights.

A 20 años del tratado de libre comercio de América del Norte: Viejos problemas, nuevos desafíos

January 23-24, 2014
American University | Washington, DC

Scholars gathered in Mexico City for a two-day conference exploring the past and future challenges of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), twenty years after its implementation. This conference was sponsored by the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and co-sponsored by CLALS.

2013

The Creative and Cultural Industries and the Future of Latin America's Economy

November 25, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

Participants from across academic, policy, and practitioner communities concerned with the creative industries, as well as from the private sector, gathered for a symposium to address the relevance of Latin America's creative and cultural industries to the region's economy as a whole. The symposium consisted of two panels, the first analyzed new data for Latin America's creative industries and the second, connected data to broader trends within the region. This was the first of a series of events that aim to generate a framework for future research.

"From the Mines to the Streets: A Bolivian Activist's Life" - A Conversation with Félix Muruchi

November 6, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

Félix Muruchi Poma is a prominent indigenous rights activist. His personal history as a miner, activist, political prisoner and exile, and most recently indigenous rights lawyer provides an extraordinary lens into Bolivian struggles for social justice. Muruchi Poma discussed the evolving nature of Bolivia's processes of social change and his new book, From the Mines to the Streets: A Bolivian Activist's Life. Discussion after the presentation was led by Professors Robert Albro and Kevin Healy.

Tinker Field Research Grant Recipient Presentations

October 23, 2013
Various

This year's Tinker Field Research Grant recipients traveled to Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico and Peru over the summer to conduct exploratory field research for their dissertation, thesis, or SRP. Three recipients, Michael Baney, Emma Fawcett, and Rachel Nadelman presented their findings and how their exploratory field research influenced their projects moving forward.

Passing as a Man: A Discussion of Gender and Identity in Cuba

October 1, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

Dr. Julio César González Pagés, an historian at the University of Havana, visited AU as part of the Center's ongoing Cuba Initiative. Dr. González Pagés discussed his book Por andar vestida de hombre and also touched on an innovative project on masculinities, which he coordinates. His visit builds upon CLALS-sponsored collaboration between the Washington College of Law and the University of Havana around research addressing gender and sexuality in legal practice and law school curricula.

The Cinema of Mexican Filmmaker Arturo Ripstein

September 24, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

Through its partnership with the Mexican Ministry of Culture, CLALS welcomed acclaimed Mexican film director Arturo Ripstein to campus on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. Maestro Ripstein discussed his career and answered questions from a panel of CAS professors, including Jeffrey Middents, Ludy Grandas, Núria Vilanova, and Brenda Werth. Over 85 people were in attendance.

Global Ramifications of the Chilean Coup: 40 Years After

September 16, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

To mark the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Chilean coup, CLALS and the Washington College of Law (WCL) hosted a public event on September 16 to discuss the global ramifications of the coup forty years after.

Panelists included:

Carlos Portales, Director, Program on International Organizations, Law and Diplomacy, Washington College of Law. Portales provided historical context and moderated the discussion.
Eric Hershberg, Director, Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and Professor of Government, American University. Hershberg discussed the ramifications of the coup for the political left in Spain and South America.
Barbara Stallings, William R. Rhodes Research Professor and Director, Political Economy of Development Program, Watson Institute for International Studies, Brown University. Stallings provided an analysis of how the coup affected economic development models.
Claudio Grossman, Professor of Law, Dean, and Raymond Geraldson Scholar for International and Humanitarian Law, Washington College of Law. Grossman discussed the role of the coup in the development of the international human rights regime.

The Reconfiguration of Elites and Power in Central America

June 3, 2013
Washington Office on Latin America | Washington, DC

Selected findings of an ambitious two-year research project analyzing the composition and role of Central American elites were discussed across two panels: one assessing changes in the make-up and interests of elite groups in light of shifts in the economic order in Central America and the second focusing on how elites today interact with and influence the economic, political, and social orders. Special attention was paid to the role of elites in shaping state finances and in responding to elected governments identified with the left. The discussion assessed implications of project findings for U.S. foreign policy in the core countries of the isthmus.

This event was co-sponsored by and held at the Washington Office on Latin America.

2013 LASA Congress: CLALS Project-Sponsored Panels

May 29-June 1, 2013
Washington, DC

CLALS projects sponsored five panels at LASA's 2013 Congress: The Reconfiguration of Elites and Power in Central America, Fiscal Policy and Elite-State Interactions in Contemporary Central America, Religion and Violence in Central America, Re-thinking Catholic Responses to Human Rights, and Hemisphere in Flux: New Roles, New Institutions, and New Agendas in Inter-American Relations.

Migration, Identity, and U.S.-Mexican Relations

April 29, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS and SPA hosted a panel discussion honoring the recipients of the inaugural William M. LeoGrande Prize for the best book on U.S.-Latin American relations, and the William M. LeoGrande Award for the best book or article on Latin America or Latinos published by an AU community member. Panelists included Alexandra Délano of The New School, Todd Eisenstadt of SPA, and José Ángel Hernández of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Mexico's Future: In Search of a New Democratic Equilibrium

April 1-2, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

This two-day symposium brought together a diverse group of leading international scholars with the objective of challenging conventional thinking about Mexico's future. Mexico continues to make decisions and govern in ways inherited from its authoritarian past. Panels addressed what a new democratic equilibrium would look like, and what key levers for intervention (policies, reforms, coalitions, movements etc.) might move the country in the right direction.

This event was co-organized by CLALS and the Institute for Legal Research of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (IIJ-UNAM) in Mexico City.

One Year After the Gang Truce in El Salvador: Challenges and Opportunities

March 29, 2013
Washington Office on Latin America | Washington, DC

This panel discussion focused on the political context and implications of the gang truce in El Salvador, what role the Catholic Church or actors within the Church have played in launching or sustaining the truce, and what opportunities the truce may provide for implementing long-term programs for communities most affected by violence. The panel also addressed the outcomes of previous gang truces in the Caribbean and the U.S. Panelists included CLALS Research Fellows, Héctor Silva Ávalos and Steven Dudley; AU Professor, Ed Maguire; and social development specialist at the World Bank, Alys Willman. The discussion was moderated by WOLA's Program Director, Geoff Thale.

This event was co-organized by CLALS and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). Watch a recording of the event.

Book Presentation: Globalization and Austerity Politics in Latin America

By Stephen B. Kaplan

February 27, 2013
Washington, DC

Globalization and Austerity Politics in Latin America examines how relations between international creditors and national debtors affect economic policy changes. The book also evaluates the role of technocratic advisors on government choices, showing how severe economic shocks have a transformative effect on policy. Beyond Latin America's borders, the book offers important lessons for understanding the ongoing economic crises in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the politics of reform in developing democracies.

Presentation and Discussion with Ambassador Altschul

February 12, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

His Excellency Francisco Altschul, Ambassador of El Salvador, spoke to an audience of 50 AU and DC community members about immigration reforms that are of great importance to Salvadoran citizens. Salvadorans make up the largest percentage of 300,000 Central Americans legally residing in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS was first extended to citizens of Nicaragua and Honduras due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, and was extended to Salvadorans in 2001 after a series of destructive earthquakes. Officials in the region are interested in the normalization of the 300,000 Latinos under TPS, some of whom have resided in the U.S. for over 15 years.

TPS status needs to be renewed every 18 months. Ambassador Altschul noted that Salvadorans alone have paid $600 million to the U.S. government in registration fees.

Lecture by Mexican Author Élmer Mendoza

January 31, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

As part of an agreement between AU and the Mexican National Council for Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA), CLALS welcomed Mexican playwright, storyteller, novelist and Sinaloa native Élmer Mendoza who delivered a lecture on his work. Winner of the 2007 Tusquets Award for his novel Balas de plata, Mendoza is widely considered the foremost figure in the new crime fiction genre known as "narcoliterature." AU faculty participated with Mendoza in a panel discussion following his address.

Impacts of Parental Deportation on U.S. Citizen Youth of Salvadoran Origin

January 30, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

A CLALS research team presented an in-progress NIH proposal that aims to examine the social and health ramifications produced by the rising rate of deportations which disproportionately affect Latino communities. The presentation was part of the CHRS seminar series.

Workshop: Religious Responses to Violence

January 14-15, 2013
American University | Washington, DC

In mid-January 2013 CLALS convened a workshop at AU to present initial research findings from its project studying Religious Responses to Violence in Latin America. A moderated discussion open to the public was held on Tuesday, January 15.

2012

The Rippling Effects of Deportations on Children in Mexican Immigrant Families

December 5, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

As part of the Center on Health, Risk, and Society's Seminar Series and in conjunction with the CLALS initiative on Deportation and the Health of U.S. Latino Communities, Joanna Dreby, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University at Albany-SUNY, offered a talk entitled, "The Rippling Effects of Deportations on Children in Mexican Immigrant Families."

Hemisphere in Flux Workshop - Sao Paulo, Brazil

November 12-14, 2012
Sao Paulo, Brazil

After a successful workshop in Washington, D.C. last October, participants in the Hemisphere in Flux project convened again in Sao Paulo to present their work on various aspects of hemispheric relations. Presentations addressed trends in inter-American affairs and in foreign policies of major states in the hemisphere. A public Round Table was held on November 12.

Workshop on Religion and Violence

November 10, 2012
Phoenix, Arizona

As part of the 2012 annual conference of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR) hosted in Phoenix, AZ, CLALS sponsored a workshop on Religion and Violence in Latin America. The panel highlighted select pieces of cutting-edge research carried out by participants in the CLALS project on Religious Responses to Violence in Latin America.

Reconfiguration of Elites and Power in Central America

November 1-3, 2012
San José, Costa Rica

The Reconfiguration of Elites and Power in Central America project held its second substantive workshop in Costa Rica. Participants discussed papers which have been commissioned on how specific phenomena of change (e.g. war, state restructuring, the encounter with globalization) provoked discontinuities in both the composition of elites and their relations to the broader social, political and economic orders. A series of studies of the configuration of today's economic elites in Central America were also presented, and subsequent phases of the project were mapped.

Ambulante: Mexico and Documentary Film

November 1, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

With support from the Mexican Cultural Institute, CLALS and the AU Center for Media & Social Impact co-sponsored an event highlighting Ambulante on November 1st from 6-10pm at the Abramson Family Recital Hall in the Katzen Arts Center. Founded in 2005 by Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, and Pablo Cruz, Ambulante brings cutting-edge documentary film to audiences around the globe. The public event traced the evolution of Ambulante and the Mexican film festival through screenings of two short films, Nicolás Pereda's "Entrevista con la Tierra" and Ambulante Beyond's "Campo 9." Film screenings were followed by a panel discussion led by Ambulante Co-Founder Pablo Cruz, Executive Director Elena Fortes, Director Carolina Coppel, and SOC Professor Patricia Aufderheide.

Latino Enrepreneurs in the DC Metro Area

October 11-13, 2012
World Bank Group | Washington, DC

Preliminary findings of the CLALS project Latino Entrepreneurs in the DC Metro Area, which is undertaken in collaboration with the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), was presented and discussed in a panel entitled "Latino Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Future Time Perspectives" at the Third Annual International Council for Small Business (ICSB-GWU) Conference.

Toward a Poetics of Wonder: A Lecture by Acclaimed Mexican Author Alberto Ruy Sánchez

September 20, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

As part of an agreement between AU and the Mexican National Council for Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA), CLALS welcomed prominent Mexican author Alberto Ruy Sánchez who delivered a lecture on the literary journey that led to El Quinteto de Mogador, a five-novel series born out of the author's travels between Mexico and Morocco.

Documentary Film and Social Change in Cuba

September 19, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS hosted two Cuban documentary filmmakers from the Instituto Superior de Arte, María Elisa Pérez and Duniesky Cantón Fernández, to share their compelling documentary on housing conditions in Havana. Their week-long stay included class visits and film screenings at American University, Norfolk State University, the University of Maryland, College Park and the College of William and Mary. Read more about the documentary. Watch the two-part documentary.

Community Disruption and HIV/AIDS in DC 

September 13-14, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

The AU Center on Health, Risk, and Society (CHRS) hosted a conference focusing on three specific processes of community disruption particularly relevant to health in D.C.: incarceration and re-entry; neighborhood change and gentrification; and immigration and deportation. The conference was co-sponsored by CLALS and the District of Columbia Developmental Center for AIDS Research (DC D-CFAR). A panel organized in conjunction with the CLALS research initiative on Deportation and Health was held on Thursday, September 13.

Violence in Mexico: A Nonviolent Response

September 12, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

In coordination with the Kay Spiritual Center and the School of International Service, CLALS brought John Feeley, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State and Eric Olson, Associate Director, Mexico Institute, Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars to address the current state of violence in Mexico and mechanisms to combat it. The two speakers engaged an audience of 70 students, staff and faculty; the talk was followed by a Q&A session.

The Reconfiguration of Elites and Power in Central America

July 16, 2012,
San Salvador, El Salvador

The Reconfiguration of Elites and Power in Central America project held its second public dissemination event in San Salvador. A roundtable discussion took place where the project's initial findings were discussed, and questions fielded from an engaged audience of over 100. The steering committee for the project also met during this time to discuss next steps for the project.

Religion and Violence in Central America

July 11, 2012
The Wilson Center | Washington, DC

Violent crime in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala has reached unprecedented levels. Panelists Josué Alvarado, Robert Brenneman, Timothy Steigenga, Alexander Wilde, and Jon M. Wolseth discussed the role of religious organizations that are frequently on the front lines of efforts to reduce gang violence and get young people out of gangs.

Central American Fiscal Policy in a Time of Crisis

June 5, 2012
The Wilson Center | Washington, DC

While issues of violence and security have dominated the Washington agenda on Central America and are of undeniable importance for the region, this narrow lens largely ignores the fundamental dynamics at play. Offering deeper analysis, prominent Central American economists Maynor Cabrera, Ricardo Barrientos, and Hugo Noé Pino of the Instituto Centroamericano de Estudios Fiscales.

CLALS Reception at the 2012 LASA Conference

May 26, 2012
San Francisco, California

Thank you to all of those who joined us at LASA, making for a productive and successful event.

The Recent Papal Visit to Cuba: What Really Happened? 

April 26, 2012
Washington, DC

Tom Quigley is the former Latin America policy advisor to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He discussed the recent Papal visit to Cuba, for which he was present.

Health and Social Impacts of Rising Deportation Rates in the U.S. 

April 25, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

Lindsay Shade (MA student, International Affairs, and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, AU) and Dennis Stinchcomb (MA student, Spanish and Latin American Studies, AU) led a work-in-progress seminar on "Health and Social Impacts of Rising Deportation Rates in the U.S." Lindsay and Dennis presented their preliminary research findings and received valuable audience feedback for future research. The seminar was organized as part of the collaborative effort between the CLALS and CHRS.

A Lecture by Maria Antonieta del Tedesco Lins

April 23, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

Maria Antonieta Del Tedesco Lins is a Professor at the Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP) and is currently a CLALS Research Fellow. She spoke on "Economic Policy and Financial Integration: Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, 1990-2010." The lecture was followed by a Q&A session.

The Drug War: More Harm than Good?

April 18, 2012
Washington, DC

Todd Robinson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and John Walsh, Senior Associate, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) spoke on the state of the drug war in Latin America and fielded questions on issues of legalization and maintaining the current military strategies of this effort.

Post-Liberal Regionalism in Latin America: New Cooperation Arrangements and their Impacts on Regional Multilateralism

April 3, 2012
International Studies Association | San Diego, California

Tullo Vigevani, Andres Serbin, Corival Carmo, Sebastian Bitar and Marcelo Medeiros, researchers of the Hemisphere in Flux project, participated in a panel discussion at the International Studies Association (ISA) Meeting in San Diego, CA. The panel debated the differences between the new multilateral organizations within the hemisphere, their relationship with the old ones and the impact of this configuration to the region. The panel also assessed the U.S. position towards these new projects and evaluated the post-liberal component of the recent regionalist drive in Latin America.

Churches in Latin America: Dealing with Violence

March 27, 2012
Washington, DC

CLALS gathered leading scholars to discuss how churches have responded to state violence in the past and current non-state violence that plagues many countries throughout Latin America. This event took place in conjunction with the first planning meeting for a two-year research project funded by the Henry Luce Foundation.

MACLAS Conference 2012 

March 22-25, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS hosted the 33rd Annual MACLAS Conference at American University. The conference kicked off with a keynote speech delivered by President and CEO of the Inter-American Foundation, Dr. Robert Kaplan. He discussed challenges that Latin America faces from a community development perspective and also presented some successful development initiatives in the region. In addition to holding 32 panel discussions, the conference included a silent auction in honor of Jack Child, former AU Professor and dedicated MACLAS member, a musical performance by Patricio Zamorano and a keynote speech by University of Pittsburgh professor, Reid Andrews.

Jennifer McCoy - Venezuela: From Political Crisis to Elections

March 6, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

Jennifer McCoy, Director of the Americas Program at the Carter Center and Professor at Georgia State University, discussed the upcoming elections in Venezuela and her recent experience with the Carter Center and the OAS in mediating the political crisis following the 2002 attempted coup through the presidential recall referendum in 2004. Professor McCoy emphasized that the results of the opposition primary elections indicated a popular opinion in favor of unity and progress, rather than the polarizing messages that have characterized the Venezuelan political sphere.

Brazil: Sustainability, Global Trade, and Investment

March 2, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

CLALS and the Kogod School of Business held a panel discussion with scholars and business leaders to discuss the future of Brazil's economic development and social and environmental sustainability. The event is available as a podcast on iTunes.

Central American Elites

February 16-18, 2012
Antigua, Guatemala

Elites and the Reconfiguration of Power in Central America, a project funded by the Ford Foundation, held a three-day seminar in Antigua, Guatemala from February 16-18. Twenty-three scholars convened to debate papers and discuss drafts, which were commissioned after the planning meeting held in Washington, DC in September 2011. 

Latinos and U.S. Elections

February 13, 2012
American University | Washington, DC

In coordination with the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and the Women & Politics Institute, CLALS convened a luncheon, with keynote speaker, Ruy Teixeira, and a panel discussion on the role of Latinos in the upcoming U.S. elections. The event is available as a podcast on iTunes and was featured in American University's AU Today.

2011

Louise Rosskam Exhibit - Katzen Arts Center

September 3 - December 14, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

This major retrospective examined the work of Louise Rosskam (1910-2003), an elusive pioneer of the "golden age" of American documentary photography. It featured her poignant photographs of a Southwest, Washington, D.C. neighborhood before its destruction for urban renewal projects. It highlighted her compelling images of Puerto Rico, as it developed from an impoverished U.S. possession to an industrialized commonwealth-the political status of which remains a contested issue. Guest curated by James Madison University Professor Laura Katzman and Library of Congress Curator Beverly W. Brannan.

Book Launch: From Protest to Parties, Adrienne LeBas

December 2, 2011
Washington, DC

Why are some opposition parties able to build strong party organizations, while others remain weak or fragment on ethnic lines? From Protest to Parties argues that party differences are explained by both historical and strategic factors. The book is also an in-depth account of opposition politics in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Kenya. Author and AU Professor, Adrienne LeBas was joined by Steven Levitsky, a Latinamericanist of Harvard University and Gina Lambright of George Washington University to discuss Professor LeBas' most recent publication.

Agustina Giraudy: Subnational Democracy in Latin America

December 1, 2011
Washington, DC

Professor Agustina Giraudy is an Academy Scholar at the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies (Harvard University). She obtained her Ph.D. in political science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in August 2009. Her research focuses on subnational democracy in Argentina and Mexico, and subnational institutions and federalism in Latin America. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Politics in Latin America, Latin American Research Review, Journal of Democracy (en Español), Revista de Ciencia Política (Chile), among others. Her dissertation, "Subnational Undemocratic Regime Continuity after National Democratization: Argentina and Mexico in Comparative Perspective," received the 2010 Juan Linz Prize, awarded by the American Political Science Association for the best dissertation in the comparative study of democracy.

Book Launch: Todd Eisenstadt and Guillermo Trejos

December 1, 2011
Washington, DC

Todd A. Eisenstadt, Professor of Government and Guillermo Trejo, Professor of Political Science, discussed their new respective books, Politics, Identity, and Mexico's Indigenous Rights Movements (Cambridge University Press, 2011) and Popular Movements in Autocracies: Religion, Repression,and Indigenous Collective Action in Mexico (Cambridge University Press, 2012). The authors briefly presented their main findings, commented on each other's work, and fielded comments and questions from an engaged audience.

From Structural to Symbolic Dimensions of State Autonomy: Brazil's AIDS Treatment Program and Global Power Dynamics

November 21, 2011
Washington, DC

Matthew Flynn is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice at the University of Texas at Austin, where he completed his doctorate in Sociology and was awarded the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in Latin American Sociology. Professor Flynn teaches courses on globalization, development, and health in the Department of Sociology and in the Global Policy Studies program at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. His publications include "The Evolution of Brazil's Public Production of AIDS Medicines, 1990-2008" in Development and Change and "Between Subimperialism and Globalization: A Case Study in the Internationalization of Brazilian Capital' in Latin American Perspectives.

New Protagonists in Global Economic Governance: The Rise of Brazilian Agribusiness at the WTO

November 15, 2011
Washington, DC

Kristen Hopewell is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Sociology at the University of Michigan. Hopewell spoke on her dissertation, "Shifting Power in Global Economic Governance: The Rise of Brazil, India and China at the WTO," to an audience of 25 people. Her research is in comparative and global political economy and the emerging BRIICS economies, with a strong focus on Brazil. Hopwell has secured fellowships and grants for her research from the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (University of Michigan), Fulbright, National Science Foundation, and a Social Science and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship. Hopewell has published a co-authored article examining the social movement response to neoliberalism and the economic crisis in Argentina in the Journal for the Critique of Science.

Naming the Other in North and Latin America: Common and Diverging Trends in State Responses to Minority Identities

November 11, 2011
Washington, DC

Victor Armony is a Fulbright Canada Visiting Fellow at American University with CLALS, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Observatory of the Americas at the Université du Québec a Montréal. In this presentation, he used evidence from various censuses within North America and Latin America to explore state responses to the presence of Latinos and minorities within their borders.

NCLR-CLALS Discrimination Workshop

November 10, 2011
Washington, DC

In light of scholarship pioneering new approaches to how we understand discrimination, CLALS and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) jointly convened leading researchers and advocacy professionals for a structured workshop in Washington, DC. Participants identified and discussed synergies, divergences, and noteworthy innovations in social science research on discrimination, and articulated how cutting-edge scholarship might inform advocacy work directed at concrete policy challenges.

Samuel Handlin: Social Protection and the Politicization of Class Cleavages During Latin America's Left Turn

November 10, 2011
Washington, DC

Samuel Handlin is a Visiting Fellow at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame. He holds degrees in political science from Swarthmore College (B.A.) and the University of California, Berkeley (M.A., Ph.D.). Handlin presented his research to an audience of 20 people, exploring political economy in Latin America with a substantive focus on inequality, market reforms, social policy, and political representation. He is the co-editor and co-author of Reorganizing Popular Politics: Participation and the New Interest Regime in Latin America (Pennsylvania State University Press, 2009) and has research forthcoming in the journal Comparative Political Studies.

Tinker Field Research Presentations

November 8, 2011
Multiple Locations

Graduate student recipients of field research grants from the Tinker Foundation presented their experiences and findings from summer research trips to Mexico, El Salvador, Panama, Brazil and Argentina. AU Professor of Sociology, Salvador Vidal Ortiz, offered comments and suggestions for each participant as they moved forward with their master's or dissertation research.

Book Talk: The Justice Cascade

By Kathryn Sikkink

November 7, 2011
Washington, DC

A conversation, award presentation, and reception with Kathryn Sikkink, Professor of Political Science and author of The Justice Cascade: How Human Rights Tribunals Are Changing World Politics. Commentary was made by Juan Méndez, UN Special Rapporteur, and members of the human rights community..

The Social History of Puerto Rico in the 1930s and 40s

November 3, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

Félix Matos is the President of Hostos Community College of The City University of New York (CUNY) and is the former Secretary of the Department of the Family for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Professor Matos is trained as a social scientist and holds a Ph.D. in History from Columbia University. This lecture was held in conjunction with the Louise Rosskam photography exhibit at the Katzen Arts Center.

Reconsidering Wilkinson's Income Inequality Hypothesis: New Evidence from Argentina

November 2, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

Wilkinson's income inequality hypothesis asserts that our health is influenced not just by our own income (following ideas of the social gradient in health), but also by how income is distributed in the place in which we live. The hypothesis forms an integral part of the social determinants of health literature. However, a consensus on its validity has not been reached, and much remains contested on methodological and theoretical grounds. This presentation outlined new analyses of the income inequality hypothesis in Argentina and was delivered as part of the AU Center on Health, Risk and Society (CHRS) Fall 2011 Seminar Series.

Photo Exhibition and Panel Discussion on Puerto Rico and the Status Question

October 27, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

AU's Katzen Arts Center hosted Louise Rosskam's exhibition of photographs depicting images of Puerto Rico through December 14, 2011. The exhibition was complimented by a panel discussion on the question of Puerto Rico's political status, which was followed by a question and answer session from a highly engaged audience of about 50 people.

Remember Me: Voices of the Silenced in Colombia

October 24, 2011
Washington, DC

The "Remember Me" art exhibit gives a deeply personal voice to the decades-long conflict in Colombia. Through testimonies, art and pictures, viewers experience the violence and loss that Colombians have endured-and witness their courage and persistence. Presentations were made at the event by Colombian human rights defenders and U.S. policy experts.

Human Rights Defender Series: Pedro Pantoja

October 13, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

Fr. Pedro Pantoja of Bethlehem, The Migrant's Shelter (Mexico), is the recipient of the 2011 Letelier-Moffit International Award. Pantoja spoke of his work at BMS to protect migrants in Mexico from kidnapping, extortion, sexual abuse, and murder. As a voice for the human rights of migrants in transit, it has courageously challenged both organized crime and complicit public officials.

Hemisphere in Flux Panel Discussion

October 13, 2011
Washington, DC

CLALS convened experts throughout the region to explore the policy-making processes that are shaping the contours of the emerging hemispheric order.

Robert Pastor and Jorge Castañeda: Book Presentations and Discussion

October 5, 2011
Washington, DC

Robert Pastor is Professor of International Relations and Director of the Center for North American Studies at American University. He gave a presentation on his book, The North American Idea. Jorge Castañeda is the Global Distinguished Professor of Politics and Latin American and Caribbean Studies at New York University; he discussed his latest publication, Mañana Forever?: Mexico and the Mexicans.

Table Talk: Latin American Elections and Human Rights

September 21, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

The Kay Spiritual Center and CLALS brought Cynthia McClintock, Professor of Political Science and Director of the GW Latin American and Hemispheric Studies Program and Arturo Valenzuela, Professor of Government to speak about the five 2011 presidential elections in Latin America; Argentina, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua and Peru and the ramifications for democracy and human rights.

The Economic Prospects for Bolivia in 2011

April 15, 2011
Washington, DC

Mr. Luis Arce Catacora, the Bolivian Minister of Economy and Public Finances, discussed development plans and the evolution of Bolivia's new plurinational economy. The lecture was presented to an audience of 35; it was held in English and followed by a Q&A session.

Extractive Industries in Latin America: Challenges for Environmental Law, Regulation and Enforcement

April 8, 2011
Washington, DC

As demand for fossil fuels and minerals has exploded globally in recent years, many Latin American governments have come to see extractive industries as central to their development prospects. Yet critics worry that many countries are failing to strike a balance between the economic benefits of extractive industry growth and the costs in terms of environmental degradation, community displacement and social conflict. To assess these concerns, CLALS and the WCL Program for International and Comparative Environmental Law convened a group of experts on April 8th to discuss the current legal and regulatory landscape and to identify areas of potential research.

Cuban Film Series

March 25, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

The Center for Latin American and Latino Studies hosted two documentary filmmakers and a film critic from Cuba as part of a Cuban film series. The documentaries tackled issues of housing, gender, youth, immigration, the arts, and the state of the Revolution in contemporary Cuba. The films were viewed by a full room of 40 attendees and was followed by a discussion moderated by Professor Ana Serra (Department of Language and Foreign Studies).

Economics, Politics, and Violence in Contemporary Mexico

March 3, 2011
Washington, DC

On March 3, 2011, CLALS convened a dozen leading experts, including AU faculty and graduate students and scholars from the DC area and Mexico, to present their research on economics, politics and society, and violence in contemporary Mexico. The all-day event drew an audience of 71 and included a luncheon with a keynote address by Carlos Hurtado, General Manager for the Southern Cone Countries at the Inter-American Development Bank and former Budget Undersecretary at Mexico's Ministry of Finance (2000-06), Chief Economic Advisor to the President of Mexico (1997-2000) and his country's first ambassador to the OECD (1994-97).

Screening of "Protecting Sanctuary," a Film by Rebecca Bartola and Kavita Myneni

February 23, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

Sarah Menke-Fish, an Associate Professor at the School of Communications is the Director of "Discover the World of Communication" at American University. The short film, "Protecting Sanctuary" explores the implications of the booming ecotourism economy in Costa Rica. Student filmmakers and producers, Professors Menke-Fish and Larry Engel, took viewers on a journey to explore the exotic flora and fauna found in Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park to promote the protection of the forest and its inhabitants.

Housing, Health and Poverty Alleviation: Challenges to Basic Needs Provision in Cuba

February 21, 2011
Washington, DC

Omar Everleny Perez, Universidad de la Habana; Luisa Iniguez, Universidad de la Habana and Mayra Espina, Centro de Investigaciones Psicológicas y Sociológicas presented findings on recent research analyzing the state of basic needs provision on the island, with a particular focus on housing, poverty alleviation and health services.

Poems, Paintings, Peace: Three Generations of Argentine Women and their Struggle for Justice

February 18, 2011
Washington, DC

Through writings, paintings and poems, three Argentine women from one family shared their experiences of surviving repression and searching for justice. Their work is inspired by, and stands in solidarity with, worldwide movements to stop genocide and all other forms of state terrorism.

Screening of "Potato Heads: Keepers of the Crop," a Short Film by Larry Engel

February 9, 2011
American University | Washington, DC

Professor Larry Engel took an audience of 30 AU community members on a journey from the Andes of Peru to the northern plains of Minnesota in pursuit of the culture, science, and history of the marvelous tuber, the potato. The video was followed by a question and answer session in which Professor Engel told of the opportunities and challenges he was faced with while producing the film.

2010

The Changing Cuban Economy

November 23, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

Jorge Mario Sánchez is a professor at the University of Havana and a senior scholar at the Centro de Estudios de la Economía Cubana (CEEC). A specialist on international trade and economic development, he is currently a visiting scholar at Harvard University's David Rockefeller Center where he is examining the impact of U.S.-Cuba trade on Cuba's insertion in global markets.

Urban Development in Cuba: Current and Future Challenges

November 16, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

Miguel Coyula is an architect, urban planner, and faculty member at the University of Havana. He is an expert in the redevelopment of Old Havana, the history of Cuban architecture since the Colonial Era, and how the strains and changes of Cuban demography place new and challenging demands on Cuba's housing and transportation.

Miguel provided the audience of 25 people with a deep understanding of the significance of an aging built environment and population on the changes taking place in Cuba today.

The Day After Tomorrow: The Future of Economic Policy in the Developing World

November 9, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

"The Day After Tomorrow: the Future of Economic Policy in the Developing World" is the title of a presentation by Professor Marcelo Giugale, the World Bank's Director of Poverty Reduction and Economic Management in Latin America and the Caribbean. Giugale reported on key findings of an ambitious Bank study of the development policy landscape in the aftermath of the global recession, highlighting lessons learned and transformations in economic thinking about the prospects for prosperity in the Global South. AU Department of Economics Chair, Robert Blecker and Eric Hershberg, Professor of Government and Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies provided commentary and raised pressing questions for discussion.

Homenaje a Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Prize Winner, Literature 2010

November 9, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

Three panelists, Consuelo Hernández, Associate Professor of Language and Foreign Studies; Jeffrey Middents, Associate Professor of Literature and Núria Vilanova, Assistant Professor of Language and Foreign Studies recited excerpts of Vargas Llosa's work and provided meaningful reflections and insights.

Graduate Student Lunch

October 28, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

Twenty AU graduate students in all Schools and Colleges with interests in Latin America or issues related to Latinos in the U.S. convened for the CLALS Graduate Student Lunch. Eric Hershberg, Director of the Center, provided a brief overview of the Center and sought student feedback concerning several strategies to support the work of graduate students.

What is Happening to Human Rights in Venezuela; A Conversation with Three Human Rights Activists

October 27, 2010
Washington, DC

The panel of Venezuelan human rights activists was composed of Liliana Ortega, President of the Venezuelan Committee of Victims of Human Rights Violations (COFAVIC); Jose Gregorio Guarenas, Vicariate for Human Rights of the Archdiocese of Caracas; and Feliciano Reyna of Accion Solidaria contra el SIDA and President of La Red de ONGs de Desarrollo SINERGIA. Panelists discussed the challenges faced by human rights organizations and activists under the current administration, which was followed by a lively discussion with the audience.

InSight - Organized Crime in the Americas

October 20, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

Steven Dudley is the former Bureau Chief for The Miami Herald in the Andean Region and the author of Walking Ghosts: Murder and Guerrilla Politics in Colombia (Routledge 2004). Dudley has also reported from Haiti, Brazil, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela and Miami for National Public Radio, The Washington Post, and the BBC's The World; and written feature articles for The Washington Post Magazine, The Economist, Columbia Journalism Review, The Progressive, and The Nation. Steven was also the recipient of Stanford University's Knight Fellowship in 2007. In his presentation, Steven discussed a new initiative called InSight -a website that monitors, analyzes and investigates organized crime and its increasingly destructive role in Latin America. Dudley is serving as the co-director of this initiative, which is co-sponsored by CLALS. His presentation on the project was followed by an engaging Q&A session.

Transición presidencial en Brasil y perspectivas para las relaciones con Estados Unidos y América Latina

October 11, 2010
Washington, DC

Luis Fernando Ayerbe is a Full Professor of Economics and International Relations at the State University of Sao Paulo (UNESP), Araraquara Campus, and of International Relations at the National University in Campinas and the Catholic University of Sao Paulo. He is Coordinator of the Institute for Economic and International Studies (IEEI), and serves on the Academic Board of Brazil's National Institute for Studies of the United States (INEU). Prof. Ayerbe is a member of the Board of Directors of the Regional Coordination for Economic and Social Research (CRIES) in Buenos Aires, and has been a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University and at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. His book Los Estados Unidos y la América Latina: la construcción de la hegemonía received the 2001 Casa de las Americas Award for socio-historical essay.

Book Presentation and Author Appearance -The Wind Doesn't Need a Passport: Stories from the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands

September 28, 2010
Washington, DC

Award-winning journalist Tyche Hendricks brings a fresh perspective to one of the most contested and least understood of regions. Hendricks traveled through the borderlands and gathered remarkable stories from emergency rooms and factory floors, farm kitchens and jail cells. A better understanding of the border-and the way the United States and Mexico are connected there-could help policymakers in Washington, D.C., and Mexico City reach more lasting solutions (University of California Press, June 2010).

Latina/o Politics in the 21st Century: Emerging Issues and Voices

September 27, 2010
Washington, DC

An all-day workshop involving academic and practitioner specialists from the Washington, DC area and beyond. Sponsored by CLALS and open to the public, the event afforded an opportunity to engage debates about state-of-the-art approaches to the study of Latina/o communities.

Table Talk Lunch Series-Brazil Rising: Impact on the Hemisphere

September 23, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

A Table Talk lunch discussion was held at the Kay Spiritual Life Center on the increasingly important geopolitical and economic role of Brazil in the Western Hemisphere. The Office of the University Chaplain sponsored this discussion, with the participation of the Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, Eric Hershberg.

Brazil on the Rise: A Public Lecture by New York Times Latin America Correspondent Larry Rohter

September 20, 2010
Washington, DC

Larry Rohter is an award-winning journalist and author of the book Brazil on the Rise: The Story of a Country Transformed. Throughout his reporting career, he has served as the New York Times South American Bureau Chief from 1999-2007 and acted as the Caribbean and Latin America correspondent from 1994-1999. He is the recipient of the Maria Moors Cabot Prize at Columbia University and was also awarded the Brazilian Embratel prize, as the "Melhor Correspondente Estrangeiro (Best foreign correspondent)" in 1998. In his presentation, Rohter addressed Brazil's current political situation and October's presidential election, framing his discussion around the closing chapter of a 16-year period of political stability, economic soundness and sustained growth. He also discussed the challenges and possibilities Brazil faces in the future in light of these elections. The lecture was followed by a dynamic Q&A session.

Faculty Research Workshop

September 10, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

AU Latin Americanist faculty from diverse disciplines presented conference papers emerging from their current research. Topics included: implications of NAFTA; structural violence in Honduras; indigenous politics in Bolivia; geopolitics of Antarctica; the Salvadoran civil war as considered in contemporary poetry; and competing development paradigms in South America.

Participation and Representation in Latin America

June 24, 2010
Washington, DC

In a joint project with University of British Columbia's Andean Democracy Research Network scholars from Latin America, the U.S. and Canada came together for a two-day workshop to present case studies on newly-emerging participatory mechanisms in Latin America and to discuss the tensions and complementarities between democratic representative institutions and evolving systems of direct participation in the region. The workshop was preceded by a panel discussion that was open to the public and co-hosted by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

CLALS Launch Reception

March 16, 2010
American University | Washington, DC

Over 150 guests from the university and surrounding DC community attended the CLALS launch reception where U.S. Ambassador to the OAS Carmen Lomellin spoke about the importance of Latin America to the United States and the promise of a Center that will engage issues of pressing significance for Latino communities.