Last spring, Princeton SPIA hosted its first Latin America Conference, bringing together a diverse group of policymakers, scholars, and experts from around the region to discuss LATAM’s most pressing opportunities and challenges. Coordinated by the John L. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs & Co. Visiting Professor and Lecturer, Ambassador Juan Carlos Pinzón, conference highlights included keynotes from former presidents Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador; Michelle Bachelet of Chile, and Iván Duque from Colombia, as well as participation from former Chief Americas Director of The Economist and LSE Professor, Michael Reed. Discussion topics included economic development, migration, renewable energies, climate adaptation, organized crime, security issues and LATAM culture.
With students from over 30 countries represented at Princeton SPIA, focusing directly on a region often overlooked in the international news cycle clearly made an impact, as noted below by student reflections:
“Bringing the region to Princeton is something that I had been looking forward to since I started the program at SPIA. Top politicians and analytical minds gathered in Robertson Hall for two days and we students had the opportunity to talk, debate and even have coffee with them. Every panel had interesting takes and perspectives that highlighted the region’s endowments and opportunities without ignoring the difficult challenges and problems Latin America currently faces.”
“As a Latin American student, attending this conference was both a professional and personal milestone.”
“The conference fostered a sense of community among attendees, creating a network of individuals dedicated to advancing Latin America's future. Engaging with policymakers, scholars, and experts provided me with new perspectives and potential collaborations that can drive impactful change in the region.”
“The LATAM Conference had something for everyone. For me, what was important to see and bring to Princeton SPIA is the Latine perspective and experience from those working on the ground in Latin America. What was theoretical learning in the classroom was now supplemented with real, hands-on experience from experts. I especially appreciated the importance of centering Latin American culture as a necessity to the Conference. It helped to wrap up what was a great 2-day learning experience for all of us and made us all feel at home and welcomed at Princeton.”
“On a more personal note, having a cultural and musical panel with Mauro Castillo also brought everyone together, as music usually does. Dancing to the rhythm of salsa music, and singing a fragment of “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” with him will certainly be a core memory for me.”
For more details about the Latin American Conference including recorded livestreams of panels, please visit this link. Upcoming events at Princeton SPIA can be found here.