The Center for Latin American Studies at Brown University : Film Series

Center For Latin American Studies at the Watson Institute for International Studies

Changes in the Andes

CONFERENCE OUTCOME

The transformations taking place in South America, and particularly in Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela, are challenging dominant paradigms of social, economic and political development, as well as traditional integration schemes, promoted after the end of the Cold War. The complexity of these ongoing transformations is yet to be understood by many in Latin America and in the U.S. Although some academics are at the forefront of the analysis, their work is yet to “trickle-down” to the world of policy-making. As South American countries adjust to these new realities, U.S. and Latin American elites seem to be behind the pace of changes taking place in the region. The proposed conference seeks to begin bridging this gap.

The conference is hosted by the Watson Institute and the Center for Latin American Studies, two institutions uniquely positioned to bridge the policy-making and academic world. This conference will bring together prominent political figures in Latin America, US policy-makers with an interest and influence in the region, and leading academics with expertise in the aforementioned areas. Not only will the exchange of ideas presented in the conference have direct implications on bridging current information gaps, but it also lays a foundation for future serious engagement between the academy and policy in the US and Latin America.

The conference will produce a comprehensive policy report which analyzes the positions discussed in the conference and synthesizes policy implications of the conference content.