LATIN AMERICA UPDATE

A Political-Economic Conflict Seminar

Capitol Hill Club   |   Washington, DC

With Europe and the United States still struggling with the aftermath of the "Great Recession," Asia has become the principal engine for global economic growth. At the same time, a major global economic player is emerging in Latin America. Connections are being forged between many of the Latin American countries, both with each other and Asia. Still, many of the inequalities, quarrels, political dysfunctions, and perverse ambitions of the past remain. If the global balance of power is in transition, so is Latin America itself in uncertain transition.

Broad sections of Latin American society are being transformed and emerging as major players on the global economic stage. There are also large numbers of groups and states, such as the various landless movements and the Chavez and Morales regimes in Venezuela and Bolivia that are resisting this historical transformation. Motivated by diverse fears and ambitions — not to mention Hugo Chavez's health problems — it remains to be seen whether or not these societies can change themselves into liberal democratic and free market economies. Their incorporation into the global economy as responsible partners is central to American foreign policy.

Failure to achieve these ends could lead to internal instability, increasing immigration pressures on the United States, breed terrorism, and provide opportunities for external influences from countries such as Russia, China, and Iran, with aspirations not necessarily compatible with U.S. interests.

In this special three-day Political-Economic Conflict Seminar, you will examine the remarkable economic growth and political transformations sweeping throughout Latin America and explore the diverse pressures, ambitions, and fears playing on America's hemispheric neighbors. The impact on and implications of these trends for U.S. policy and strategy will be elucidated by regional experts, foreign policy specialists, and political and economic commentators. This seminar will highlight those key political, economic, and security issues that are of particular concern and analyze alternative American policy responses.

SEMINAR TOPICS*

• Key Challenges for U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America
• Hemispheric Cooperation or Noncooperation: An American Interest in the Region
• Latin America in Transition
• Economic Prosperity and Global Trade: Conflicted Choices in Latin America
• Hemispheric Security: Internal and External Threats
• Cuba and the Caribbean: Post-Castro Prospects
• The Curse of Natural Resources: Health, Welfare and the Implications of Poor Governance in Latin America
• Iran and China in Latin America: Calculations of Greed and Influence
• Mexico: Political-Military Developments, External Relations, and Narcotics
• Foreign Direct Investment, Development, and Globalization in Latin America
• The Obama Administration and Latin America: Hopes and Challenges
• The Emerging Criminal-Terror Nexus in Latin America
• The Politics and idealogy of Latin America: Left or Right or Centrist?
• Post-Chavez Venezuela and the Colombian Relationship
• Border Security... and Insecurity
• Latin America at the Intersect of U.S. Domestic and Foreign Policies
• Why Latin America is Rearming
• Brazil: Unrealized Potential and South American Engine
• *The above topics may change to address changing current events at the time of the seminar.

PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Definitely enhanced my knowledge and perspective on Latin America; understanding their cultures and issues will go a long way in my dealings with their embassies. Thanks.

A very comprehensive seminar

Very nice mix of speakers, and good use of getting audience participation

Excellent, gave me an acute awareness of issues and concerns this region is facing

Very good program

Very impressed with the credentials and credibility of the guest speakers

Outstanding seminar; fantastic speakers! Very informative

Great mix of speakers, and nice schedule — good job putting animated speakers after lunch

Truly excellent variety of topics and speakers; it is great to hear from all levels of experts, whether a PhD, an Ambassador, a Government Agent, Conservative/Republican, etc.

Enjoyed the program! I give this seminar my most enthusiastic evaluation!! Great job

Excellent program—educational and entertaining as well as thought-provoking and a bit frightening; I hope to attend more of these in the future.

Unique exposure, expertise, education! Absolutely essential for any serious professional; unequaled resource for networking, continuity

Great program with amazing compilation of true experts; I would definitely attend future programs.

MODERATOR

The program moderator will be of international stature and will have extensive professional experience in the policy issues covered in this three-day seminar. The moderator will facilitate, when necessary, dialogue between the speakers and participants, as well as lead the group discussions and Q&A sessions.

FEE

The fee for each three-day Foreign Policy Seminar is $1,985 per person. The program will feature approximately 12-15 separate presentations. Also included are continental breakfast and working luncheons. The seminar will be held in a private meeting room at the Capitol Hill Club. An on-site staff person will assist participants as needed and coordinate daily activities.

REGISTRATION

The target audience for these seminars are civilians (GS-15 and above) and military (O-6 and above). Others who have a special interest in the subject, need-to-know, or are in key positions may apply. Seminar space is limited to assure participants have ample time for open discussion with presenters. Upon registration, attendees will receive confirmation via email. Cancellations will be accepted in writing up to two weeks prior to each program. After that time, substitutions will be accepted. The Agency will be billed if registration is cancelled after the deadline.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call Iris Fernandez or Patricia Patton at 703-684-8807.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Foreign Policy Seminars will be held in a private meeting room at the Capitol Hill Club, located at 300 First Street, SE, Washington, DC. The Club is directly across the street from the Capitol South Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines). Business attire for participants is required. Military uniform is optional.

Reporting information concerning registration time and workshop start and end times will be sent to all participants approximately 2 weeks prior to the start of each program. The seminar meeting room will be open at 7:30 am and seminars will be conducted from 8:00 to 4:00 pm.

These programs are informal and strictly "off-the-record." No video, power point or audio-visual aids are utilized in the presentations.

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