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Latin America Podcasts
The Latin American Briefing Series
"Mexican Oil and Gas Policies"
A presentation by Adrián Lajous, Former Pemex CEO.
Adrián Lajous is Chairman of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, President of Petrométrica, SC and non-Executive Director of Schlumberger, Ternium, Trinity Industries and Grupo Petroquímico Beta. He is senior energy advisor to McKinsey & Company. In 2003-04 he was a Senior Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University and a Visiting Fellow in the Kellogg Institute at the University of Notre Dame during the first quarter of 2005. In 1994 Adrián Lajous was appointed Director General of Pemex (CEO) and Chairman of the boards of the Pemex group of operating companies. He stepped down from this position in December 1999 after 29 years in public service.
Adrián Lajous taught at El Colegio de México (1971-76), joined the Ministry of Energy in 1977, where he was appointed Director General for Energy. In 1983 he moved on to Pemex where he held a succession of key executive positions: Executive Coordinator for International Trade, Corporate Director of Planning, Corporate Director for Operations (COO) and Director for Refining and Marketing. He also served on the Board of Repsol-YPF. Mr. Lajous holds degrees in Economics from the National University of Mexico and Cambridge University.
Event organized by the Katz Center for Mexican Studies and co-sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies.
"Challenges in Latin America: The Importance of Increased Economic and Political Integration" (audio)
A talk by Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro, Senior Coordinator for the Western Hemisphere Free Trade Agreements Task Force, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.
Ambassador Charles Shapiro was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (2005-2007) and U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela (February 2002 until August 2004). In addition to his posting as Ambassador to Venezuela, he has served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. embassies in Santiago, Chile and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Other overseas postings include El Salvador and Denmark. His Washington assignments include Director of the Office of Cuban Affairs as well as various assignments in Public Affairs, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and Western Hemisphere Affairs. Ambassador Shapiro was the recipient of a Presidential Meritorious Service Award in 2005.
Event Organized by the Center for Latin American Studies, co-sponsored by the Norman Wait Harris Fund of the Center for International Studies at the University of Chicago
"Challenges in Latin America: The Importance of Increased Economic and Political Integration" (video)A talk by Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro, Senior Coordinator for the Western Hemisphere Free Trade Agreements Task Force, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.
Ambassador Charles Shapiro was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (2005-2007) and U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela (February 2002 until August 2004). In addition to his posting as Ambassador to Venezuela, he has served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. embassies in Santiago, Chile and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Other overseas postings include El Salvador and Denmark. His Washington assignments include Director of the Office of Cuban Affairs as well as various assignments in Public Affairs, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and Western Hemisphere Affairs. Ambassador Shapiro was the recipient of a Presidential Meritorious Service Award in 2005.
Event Organized by the Center for Latin American Studies, co-sponsored by the Norman Wait Harris Fund of the Center for International Studies at the University of Chicago
"Hugo Chavez y la Realidad Venezolana de Hoy"
A talk by Teodoro Petkoff, prominent Venezuelan politician, journalist and economist. From the Center for Latin American Studies.
"Poverty and Income Inequality in Brazil"
A presentation by Ricardo Paes de Barros, University of Chicago Tinker Visiting Professor, and Researcher at the Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA), a public foundation linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management. This lecture stems from a 2006 IPEA report on the "Recent Fall in Income Inequality in Brazil". This report sought to consolidate the recent and dramatic decline in income inequality in Brazil, evaluate its impact and relevance, identify its main determinants, and finally to draft public policy recommendations so that the decline in income inequality could continue, or even increase, in coming years. Sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies.
"Indigenous Rights: The Case of Chiapas"
A talk by Jorge Fernandez-Souza, Magistrate Judge, Professor of Law and former Dean of Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, former Delegado of Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo, and lawyer for Bishop Samuel Ruiz in the Chiapas negotiations (1994 – 1997). From the Human Rights in Mexico Series. Sponsored by the Katz Center for Mexican Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, the Human Rights Program, and the Norman Wait Harris Fund of the Center for International Studies.
"The Modern Human Rights Movement in Mexico"A talk by Mariclaire Acosta. Acosta is affiliated with the Organization of American States, co-founder of the Academia Mexicana de Derechos Humanos; founder, Comision Mexicana para la Promocion y Defensa de los Derechos Humanos, and former director of Human Rights in the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores. From the Human Rights in Mexico Series. Sponsored by the Katz Center for Mexican Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, the Human Rights Program, and the Norman Wait Harris Fund of the Center for International Studies.
"U.S.-Cuban Academic Relations Part II: Roundtable Discussion on U.S.-Cuban Academic Exchange"
Introduction: Alan Kolata, University of Chicago. Discussants: Stephan Palmie, University of Chicago; Agnes Lugo-Ortiz, University of Chicago; Shannon Dawdy, University of Chicago; Laurie Frederik, University of Chicago; Paul Ryer, University of Chicago.
U.S. and Cuban scholars involved in academic, scientific, and cultural research face significant difficulties in maintaining open and thorough dialogue with each other due to restrictions governing travel between the two countries. Such exchanges, however, hold the potential for improved interpretations of our economic, cultural, and historical ties, and ultimately for improved political relations. The aim of this conference was to convene scholars, practitioners, and members of civil society in order to foster a broad, interdisciplinary discussion on the current conditions of U.S.-Cuban academic exchange, the challenges that new governmental restrictions pose to academic research agendas, and the manners by which scholars may engage in projects related to Cuban history, economics, public policy, and culture. Sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies.
"U.S.-Cuban Academic Relations Part I: The Politics of U.S.-Cuban Exchanges"Wayne Smith, Center for International Policy and Louis Pérez, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
U.S. and Cuban scholars involved in academic, scientific, and cultural research face significant difficulties in maintaining open and thorough dialogue with each other due to restrictions governing travel between the two countries. Such exchanges, however, hold the potential for improved interpretations of our economic, cultural, and historical ties, and ultimately for improved political relations. The aim of this conference was to convene scholars, practitioners, and members of civil society in order to foster a broad, interdisciplinary discussion on the current conditions of U.S.-Cuban academic exchange, the challenges that new governmental restrictions pose to academic research agendas, and the manners by which scholars may engage in projects related to Cuban history, economics, public policy, and culture. Sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies.
"Labor Rights: The Case of Ciudad Juarez"
A talk by Bertha Lujan, Secretaria del Trabajo, Gobierno "Legitimo" de México (de Andrés Manuel López Obrador), former Controlora, Cd. de México (2000-2006), and lead organizer of Frente Auténtico del Trabajo. From the Human Rights in Mexico Series. Sponsored by the Katz Center for Mexican Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, the Human Rights Program, and the Norman Wait Harris Fund of the Center for International Studies.
"Militarization of U.S. Foreign Relations with Latin America: Prospects for Change"
A panel discussion with: Lisa Haugaard, Executive Director of the Latin America Working Group; Joy Olson, Executive Director of the Washington Office on Latin America; Adam Isacson, Senior Associate at the Center for International Policy. From the Latin American Briefing Series. Co-sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies and the International House Global Voices Program.
"Reflections on Argentina" - Session 3 of "Poverty & Growth: Reflections on Latin America"
A three-part workshop with Professor Juan Pablo Nicolini, Winter Tinker Visiting Professor, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. Sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies
"Growth, Poverty and Economic Development" - Session 2 of "Poverty & Growth: Reflections on Latin America" (audio)A three-part workshop with Professor Juan Pablo Nicolini, Winter Tinker Visiting Professor, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. Sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies
"Growth: Evidence and Sources" - Session 1 of "Poverty & Growth: Reflections on Latin America"A three-part workshop with Professor Juan Pablo Nicolini, Winter Tinker Visiting Professor, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. Sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies
"Nicaraguan Presidential Elections: Prospects for the Region"
A panel discussion with: Alejandro Bendaña, Centro de Estudios Internacionales, Nicaragua; Michel Gobat, Professor, History, Iowa University; and Rose Spalding, Professor, Political Science, DePaul University From the Center for Latin American Studies' Latin American Briefing Series.
"Right vs. Left & the Newborn Mexican Democracy: Can the the Three Survive?"
A lecture by Lorenzo Meyer, El Colegio de Mexico.
Sponsored by the Katz Center for Mexican Studies, the Center for Latin American Studies Latin American Briefing Series, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan.
"Latin American Elections: Turning Left?"
A panel discussion with: Larry Birns (Council on Hemispheric Affairs), Fernando Coronil (University of Michigan) and Mabel Moraña (Washington University); from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
"Constructing a North American Community"
Lecture by Robert Pastor, Director, Center for North American Studies, American University; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
"The Weakness of the State in Latin America"
Lecture by Fernando Escalante, Tinker Visting Professor in History, University of Chicago and Professor, El Colegio de Mexico; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
"NAFTA & Mexico: Ten Years Later"
Lecture by Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, founder of Mexico's Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD); from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
"Venezuela: A Proposed Social Charter of the Americas"
Discussion with Fermín Toro, Venezuela's Ambassador to the United Nations, and Nelson Pineda, Venezuela's Ambassador to the Organization of American States; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
"Mexico: Problems of a New Democracy"
Lecture by Jesús Silva-Herzog Márquez, Professor of Law at the Instituto Tecnólogico Autónomo de México; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
Latin American Business Conference: "Sustained Growth in Latin America: Key Lessons From Chile"Lecture by Pedro Aspe, Protego, former Finance Minister of Mexico; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
Latin American Business Conference: "Argentina: Development, Outlook, Opportunities"Lecture by Ricardo Lopez Murphy, former Finance and Defense Minister of Argentina; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
Latin American Business Conference: "Managing Growth: Uncertainty in Latin America"Panel discussion with Edmundo Vallejo, General Electric Latin America; Christopher Baudoin, Aon Risk Services Latin America; and Luis Ramirez Rojas, Nusoft; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
"Consolidating Democracy in Mexico: Adapting and Reforming Institutions for Democracy"
Panel featuring Jacqueline Peschard, former member of the Federal Electoral Institute; Lorenzo Meyer, El Colegio de Mexico; and Jorge Chabat, Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economica; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
"Consolidating Democracy in Mexico: Keynote Address"Keynote address by Jose Woldenberg, former president Federal Electoral Institute; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
"The 'Urban' in International Economic Development: Lessons from a Colombian City"
Lecture by Enrique Penalosa, former Mayor of Bogota; response by Ronald Grzywinski, President of South Shore Bank; discussion with Luis Medina and Alicia Mendez, University of Chicago; from the Latin American Briefing Series of the Center for Latin American Studies (http://clas.uchicago.edu).
