Inter-American Dialogue: A year in review

• EN: Recibido por email

Our Year in Review  2017 was a busy and exciting year for the Inter-American Dialogue. We were recognized at the 16th annual Think Tank Awards sponsored by the British publication Prospect as the “One to Watch,” commended “for pushing the question of how the US relates to its neighbors.” We also held three of our flagship events: our 11th Sol M. Linowitz Forum, assembling all of our members here in Washington DC; the 21st Annual CAF Conference, convening more than 1,000 attendees to debate and discuss the most pressing developments facing the Americas; and our 3rd Leadership for the Americas Awards Gala which honored exceptional world leaders and gathered over 400 dignitaries. Additionally, we hosted 73 public events, including conversations with Mauricio Macri, Luis Guillermo Solís, Juan Carlos Varela, Sebastián Piñera, Lilian Tintori, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Marta Lucía Ramírez, Rodrigo Janot, and Denise Dresser. We closed the year with the opening of our new office in Guatemala, our first office in Latin America and the Caribbean and a physical representation of the importance and the reach of the Dialogue’s work, in a world in which connections – and dialogue – are ever more important. We could not do this without your support, and we hope that you will join us in 2018 to engage in dialogue as we foster democratic governance, prosperity and social equity in Latin America and the Caribbean.   With appreciation and best wishes for this holiday season, Michael Shifter President SUPPORT US   HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR PROGRAMS Education Program Convenes ECD Forum in Colombia and Publishes Flagship Paper on ELL In November, the Dialogue’s Education Program co-hosted the First Latin American Forum on Early Childhood Development, which resulted in the signing of a regional agenda for ECD. Earlier in the year, we published a paper on English Language Learning in Latin America, examining the current state of policies, instruction and learning in ten countries throughout the region. Energy, Climate Change and Extractive Industries Program Examines US-LatAm Energy Relations, Clean Transportation & Deforestation in Colombia  In 2017, the Energy, Climate Change and Extractive Industries Program published US-Latin America Energy Investment: Proposals for Policy Engagement, examining the impacts of Trump administration policies on energy relations with the rest of the hemisphere. The program also held its Third Annual Latin America Clean Transport Forum in Costa Rica. Earlier in the year, we published Peace and Environmental Protection in Colombia: Proposals for Sustainable Rural Development. Rule of Law Program Intensifies Focus on Corruption, Citizen Security and Human Rights  This year Michael Camilleri took over as director of the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program. The program published reports on the context of corruption scandals, the Inter-American Human Rights System, the daily impact of insecurity in Central America and freedom of expression in the digital age. We also hosted an anti-corruption experts meeting and a public policy dialogue to provide recommendations for the VIII Summit of the Americas. The program was widely covered in the media, including an op-ed on Venezuela in the New York Times. Migration, Remittances and Development Program Leverages Migration for Development through Financial Inclusion and Research In 2017, the Migration, Remittances and Development Program continued its work on remittances, migration and financial inclusion. In late 2017 we concluded a study about migrants in the U.S. and their use of technologies for financial services. On remittance marketplace issues, we released studies about competition, and annual growth of the more than 70 billion dollars in family transfers. Finally, our financial inclusion initiatives included a partnership in Nicaragua with BanPro bank and CAMMINA and the continued implementation of the Opportunities for my Community project in Guatemala with USAID. Our team has also worked on various Central American initiatives, including a forum on media and democracy and preparing briefings about the state of the region. Latin America and the World Program Examines Asia's Growing Role in Latin America  The Latin America and the World Program continued its focus on Asia-Latin America relations this year by convening experts in Mexico City for a third annual high-level meeting on Japan-Latin America relations. As part of its extensive work on China, the program also assembled a first-ever cohort of China and Latin America Young Scholars to jointly conduct research on the Asian nation's evolving role in the region in the coming months. As in previous years, we were pleased to release an updated version of our China-Latin America Finance Database and an accompanying report on Chinese state to state lending in the region.   VIDEOS FROM 2017 PHOTOS FROM 2017

Inter-American Dialogue this week

The Election Crisis in Honduras Dec 20  | Michael Shifter  |  Foreign Affairs On December 17, after a chaotic presidential election in Honduras weeks before—involving unexplained computer malfunctions and possible vote rigging—the country’s electoral commission proclaimed the incumbent president, Juan Orlando Hernandez, the winner. Supporters of the Honduran opposition reacted with fury. Both the Organization of American States and the European Union, the two organizations that monitored the vote, noted irregularities. And the OAS rejected the official tally, calling for new elections. For many Hondurans, the current scene is all too familiar: it is a possible repeat of the turmoil surrounding the 2009 coup d’état, and a tragic continuation of a progressive loss of credibility in its electoral institutions.

FROM OUR EXPERTS

When a classroom isn’t an option: Non-formal schooling in Cartagena’s Escuela de Bancos Dec 14 | Eduardo Vélez Bustillo |  BLOG The example of Cartagena´s Escuelas de Bancos presents one simple lesson: education planners and decision-makers need to pay more attention to community-generated solutions and non-formal education.     Cuba-US Relations during Trump’s First Year Dec 15  | Michael Shifter  |  BBC World News In this interview with BBC World News, Michael Shifter discusses the current state of relations between the US and the island nation, what we know so far regarding the sonic attacks to US diplomats in Havana, and what we can expect after the 2018 change of leadership if Cuba. Sobre los monopolios éticos Dec 13  |  Kevin Casas-Zamora  |  Clarín Uno de los aspectos menos estudiados del ascenso de las opciones políticas de izquierda en América Latina durante la última década y media –hoy más bien en retirada—tiene que ver con la curiosa simbiosis discursiva que precedió a su llegada al poder.   Piñera’s Election Victory in Chile Dec 18  | Michael Shifter  |  CGTN America Chile looked to the past to pick its future leader. Former President Sebastian Piñera is the projected winner of a presidential runoff election. With nearly all the votes counted, his challenger Alejandro Guillier conceded and congratulated the conservative billionaire on his victory. Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, discusses with CGTN’s Susan Roberts.   Financiamiento ilícito dificulta competencia electoral Dec 13  | Kevin Casas-Zamora  |  INETV En esta entrevista con el Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) de Mexico, Kevin Casas-Zamora, investigador asociado del Diálogo Interamericano, analiza el impacto del financiamiento ilícito de la política en la democracia y los procesos electorales, y asegura que el abuso en el uso de los recursos públicos para favorecer a la campaña del partido oficial hace difícil la competencia para la oposición.

FEATURED Q&A FROM THE LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

What Can Chileans Expect From Piñera’s Return? Former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera on Sunday defeated his opponent Alejandro Guillier in the country’s presidential runoff election. To what can Piñera attribute his victory? How well will he be able to work with the country’s Congress in order to advance his agenda? What policy proposals can Chileans expect of Piñera, and what will be the main differences from the outgoing administration of President Michelle Bachelet? Featured Expert Commentary: Peter M. Siavelis  |  Wake Forest University Guillermo Holzmann  |  University of Valparaíso,  Analytyka Consulting Peter DeShazo  |  Dartmouth College

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jan 11 China and the New Global Order 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM  |  Club de Industriales, Ciudad de México, México

WHAT YOU MISSED

Peruvian Politics Under Strain Dec 14

The Crisis in Honduras: What Happened and What's Next?  Dec 19

DIALOGUE IN THE PRESS

The Fujimoristas don’t have the moral high ground, but they have the power and have had so from the beginning [of Mr Kuczynski’s presidency]. They’ve long had him in a tough spot and now they’re going in for the kill.” Michael Shifter Peru Congress set to decide president’s political fate Financial Times Dec 20 En la medida en que el diálogo dominicano contribuya a una oposición más unificada y pragmática, más puede contribuir a un cambio significativo y útil en Venezuela." Peter Hakim Gobierno y oposición venezolana concluyen diálogo con "avances" y pactan cita para enero El Mercurio Dec 16 Es poco probable que la actual tendencia política en Sudamérica se mantenga. Es razonable esperar más volatilidad política." Michael Shifter El impacto del triunfo de Piñera en el mapa regional La Tercera Dec 19

WHAT WE'RE READING

Había que darse cuenta... Dec 21  |  Diego García-Sayan  |  La República   ¿Más débil? Dec 15  |  Fernando Cepeda Ulloa  |  El País (Colombia)   Colombia: escoger con transparencia Dec 17  |  Diego García-Sayan  |  El País   "No busco la gloria o el bronce" Dec 17  |  Entrevista con María Eugenia Vidal |  La Nación (Argentina)   Seguridad en tiempos del cemento chino Oct 30  |  Kevin Casas-Zamora |  La Nación (Costa Rica)

Más allá de los escándalos: El cambiante contexto de la corrupción en América Latina, por Kevin Casas Zamora y Miguel Carter

En los últimos años, América Latina ha visto un aumento en escándalos de corrupción, así como en exitosos y masivos movimientos de anticorrupción. Esta ola no tiene precedentes en su escala; en la rapidez de la respuesta institucional en algunos países; y, sobre todo, en el surgimiento de grandes movimientos populares exigiendo rendición de cuentas.
Este informe del Programa de Estado de Derecho Peter D. Bell, antes publicado en inglés y ahora disponible por primera vez en español, encuentra poca evidencia acerca de la noción de que la nueva movilización contra la corrupción en la región se deba a un aumento dramático en los niveles de corrupción, ya sea experimentado o percibido.
Más bien, argumenta que las reacción contra la corrupción recientemente vista en América Latina está conectada empíricamente con la convergencia de cinco fenómenos:

1. La percepción generalizada de que las instituciones políticas y económicas en la región están manipuladas a favor de pequeñas élites en detrimento de la mayoría de la población;
2. La adopción de reformas que mejoren la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas en toda la región;
3. El crecimiento explosivo de las redes sociales, permitiendo una difusión más rápida de la información y menor costo para la acción colectiva;
4. La rápida expansión de grupos con ingresos medios, que son cada vez más activos políticamente, y;
5. La recesión económica regional de los últimos años.

Seguir leyendo,

EN: 

https://www.thedialogue.org/resources/mas-alla-de-los-escandalos-el-cambiante-contexto-de-la-corrupcion-en-america-latina/?lang=es

Leer informe completo,

EN: 

https://www.thedialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/M%C3%A1s-all%C3%A1-de-los-esc%C3%A1dolos-el-cambiante-contexto-de-la-corrupci%C3%B3n-en-Am%C3%A9rica-Latina.pdf

Ciudad de Guatemala: El Diálogo Interamericano celebra la apertura de su primera sede en América Latina y el Caribe

Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala – El Diálogo Interamericano, uno de los centros de análisis más importantes para América Latina y el Caribe ha abierto una nueva oficina en Guatemala, expandiendo así su presencia física en la región.
“La nueva oficina refleja el compromiso continuo del Diálogo en abordar asuntos de importancia regional, fortaleciendo su presencia a través de nuestra red de líderes y miembros”, dijo Michael Shifter, presidente del Diálogo Interamericano.

Seguir leyendo,

EN: 

https://www.thedialogue.org/press-and-media/releases/release/el-dialogo-interamericano-celebra-la-apertura-de-su-primera-sede-en-america-latina-y-el-caribe/?lang=es

From the experts at the Inter-American Dialogue

Pen, pencil, paper: School resources in Chile

Dec 6  |  Ariel Fiszbein, Paulo Santiago, Sandra García Jaramillo, Thomas Radinger  |  OECD

How can Chile use school resources more effectively to ensure educational equity, strengthen leadership and improve teaching?

 

Complacencia con respecto a los problemas educativos en Argentina

Nov 30  |  Entrevista a Ariel Fiszbein  |  EduPrensa

En entrevista con EduPrensa, el director del programa de Educación del Diálogo Interamericano, Ariel Fiszbein, habla sobre los principales retos educativos que enfrenta América Latina y sobre los avances de los últimos años en algunos países que han priorizado la educación.

Recent events at the Inter-American Dialogue

China’s Belt and Road: What Role for Latin America? Dec 11

Mauricio Macri at Mid-Term: A Conversation with Carlos Pagni Dec 10

30th Meeting of the Working Group on Latin America Dec 8

Sexual & Reproductive Rights in Latin America & the Caribbean: Where Are We Now? Dec 6

La política polarizada de Colombia Dec 8