Charlemos is a new initiative that creates space for political scientists and other academics to discuss the critical social and political challenges facing Latin America today--including democratic backsliding, economic inequality, racial injustice, gender inequities, and a host of other issues--via a virtual platform.

The second lecture in the Charlemos Series will be hosted by Andres Mejia. Agustina Giraudy, Sara Niedzwiecki, and Jennifer Pribble will discuss their article, "How Political Science Explains Countries’ Reactions to COVID-19" published in America's Quarterly (April 30, 2020).

Registration is required for this webinar.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas/content/charlemos

Postponed until March 25-27, 2021

The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) at the University of Pittsburgh welcomes faculty and students to the 24th Latin American Social and Public Policy (LASPP) Conference on March 25-27, 2021. At the conference, researchers can present their scholarly work related to social and public policy in Latin America.

Our team is focused on assuring a high-quality and open environment for the exchange of ideas and the improvement of works in progress. Following the multidisciplinary tradition of CLAS, we are interested in facilitating dialogue, theoretical perspectives, and methodologies across disciplines. In that spirit, we encourage the organization of panels around problems, rather than disciplines, and welcome submissions from the social sciences, arts, humanities, and cultural studies. We are particularly—but not exclusively—interested in the discussion of policy design, implementation, and impact in a wide array of areas, including:

Economic development; inequality and social inclusion; democratic governance and institutional change; human rights; health; education; LGBTQ and gender studies; ethnicity; race studies; environmental studies; urban development; violence and crime; conflict resolution; social movements and political parties; technological innovation; migration; political behavior; Latinx studies; elites; public administration and corruption; sustainability; innovation; and transparency.

John Frechione Travel Award

This award is named after Dr. John Frechione (Ph.D., Anthropology and Certificate in Latin American Studies, University of Pittsburgh, 1981; and CLAS Associate Director [1987-2015]). Dr. Frechione retired in 2015, after 32 years as a CLAS staff member. However, he remains an active supporter of CLAS and its activities. This award bears his name in recognition of the worthwhile support that he has contributed to CLAS—and especially to students—over the years.

This award will cover lodging for the duration of the conference. Please state whether or not you would like to be considered for the award when submitting your abstract. For additional information, contact the organizers at laspp@pitt.edu.

Program and schedule of events forthcoming.

(TBD) Film Screening of Statistics and Chance- A documentary about Dr. Carmelo Mesa-Lago

(TBD) Keynote speaker, Dr. Carmelo Mesa-Lago, will present

Panels

(TBD) Featuring: Applied Medical Anthropology and Public Policy in Latin America Roundtable at 12pm
Special Guests: Dr. Katherine Musante (University of Pittsburgh), Dr. César E. Abadía-Barrero (University of Connecticut)

The Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Pittsburgh has celebrated Latin American and Caribbean cultures with a full-day festival on our Oakland campus since 1979. On Saturday, April 10, 2021, we will celebrate the 40th Annual Latin American & Caribbean Festival!

The event features well-known Latin American musicians, authentic artists and craft makers, delicious Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, traditional dance performances, and activities for children. Admission is free! The festival is the largest gathering of the Latin American and Latinx communities in Western Pennsylvania, attracting more than 3,000 students, community members, and local businesses.