In cooperation with:
"Nuestra America":
Celebrating 200 years of Latin American Independence and Looking Towards an Interdependent Tomorrow

(Berlin, February 17th - 19th, 2010)
The “Nuestra América” congress is under the patronage of Dr. Alfredo Palacio, Former President of Ecuador and member of the ICD Advisory Board
The year 2010 marks the two hundred year anniversary of the beginning of the Latin American Independence movements. It was two centuries ago that Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile declared their independence, with Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela doing so either the year before or after. The year 1810 therefore represents an important turning point in the history of Latin America, resulting in the emergence of new nation states and constituting the first step in the process of breaking from European colonial rule. The nature of this process remains an important talking point today.

As the world celebrates this anniversary, important questions remain as to how individual countries and the region as a whole should address challenges in the areas of poverty, development, security, public health, and national and international politics. Furthermore, current relations between Latin America, the USA and Europe, and the role that other regions and international stakeholders can play in supporting Latin America, remain fundamental issues to be clarified.

“Nuestra America: Celebrating 200 years of Latin American Independence and Looking Towards an Interdependent Tomorrow” has been developed by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy to analyze the importance of the Latin American independence movements to the development of the region over the subsequent 200 years. It will then use this foundation to focus on the challenges ahead for the region, explore new strategies and approaches being taken to address these challenges, and consider the role that Europe and other regions can play in supporting Latin American stakeholders. In particular, the congress will consider the role that can and must be played by the younger generation in supporting and strengthening sustainable Latin American development.

Congress Agenda

“Nuestra America” will pursue the following specific aims:

  • Examine the key challenges faced by Latin America, focusing in particular on the areas of poverty, development, public health, and security.
  • Examine the importance sustainable development in Latin America and the shape that this should take in both environmental and cultural terms.
  • Consider the importance of support from Europe and other regions in addressing the challenges outlined above, and the shape this support should take.
  • Explore the interdependence of Latin American nations and the policy implications this has.
  • Discuss the role of the younger generations in addressing the challenges ahead and consider how they can be prepared for this activity.

The following issues will be mentioned and explored:

  • Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power
    (Focus: The potential for cultural diplomacy in Latin America).
  • The Bicentenary of Independence
    (Focus: Colonial legacies and the future of European-Latin American relations)
  • Regional security
    (Focus: Narco-trafficking, corruption and delinquency and means of tackling these challenges)
  • Integration and Regionalism
    (Focus: the potential of increasing economic integration in Latin America)
  • Migration
    (Focus: Current developments in migration movements and associated challenges)
  • Economic Bridges
    (Focus: The role played by “economic bridges” in ensuring national and regional security)

Speakers

The speakers during the program will consist of renowned figures from international politics, diplomacy, academia, the private sector, and civil society.

Participants

The participants will include young leaders, academic scholars, political and diplomatic representatives, civil society practitioners, journalists, and individuals from the private sector from across the world.

Sustainable Network

Participants of the Congress will become part of a growing international network of people from across the world with different fields of interest and levels of experience who share a commitment to intercultural exchange. Participants will be able to remain in touch with each other through the ICD Network.

Certificate of Attendance

The participants of the Congress will be awarded an official certificate of attendance at the end of the program. This certificate will confirm attendance and provide details of the speakers who took part during the week and the topics discussed.