April 21-22, 2010 Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Sponsored by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Inequality is possibly the key global social issue of our time, especially in the Americas. Unmet challenges and complex dynamics that are misunderstood, or underrated, help distinguish Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as the most unequal region on the planet. Increasingly, the tentacles of inequality not only run through rural and urban society, but cross borders to other regions. Thus, problems
reciprocated by processes of globalization also accompany their benefits. For example, among the worst-hit by the current global crisis, and further impaired from a diminished rural production structure, “free” trade that is not, and trivial investment from the private sector, Mexico’s economic dependence on the US is being paid by its poor. Global and LAC environments alike carry a set of cross-cutting, dynamically complex problems requiring interdisciplinary undertakings. These challenges also require multinational collaborations to learn, for example, how better to foster a healthier human and environmental welfare continuum.
Consequently, the Center invites participation from undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers and practitioners to examine the issues, challenges and opportunities for a Latin American and Caribbean cultural space with greater social equality. This symposium is a forum for examining some of the issues related to this goal through several means. In addition to a plenary keynote address and
invited presentations by an international panel, student and faculty submissions will be selected for presentation in oral and (especially) poster sessions. The keynote address, The Opportunity Gap: Comprehensive development platforms in Latin America, will be given by Alejandro Villanueva, The W. K. Kellogg Foundation Regional Director
for Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Papers and posters are invited on (but not limited to) the following topics.
• Family and gender equity
• Disadvantaged and underprivileged social groups
• Cultural representations
• Humanistic expression of the human condition and cultural diversity
• Market competitiveness, social capital and employment creation
• Achieving Millennium Development Goals
• Land use strategies that ameliorate global effects of climate change
• Water capture, use and quality
• Managing biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Human, community and public health disparities and connections to landscape, biodiversity, food systems, socioeconomic and behavioral dimensions of welfare
• Education and human development
This symposium is especially intended for Michigan State students and faculty to present and discuss works in progress. More polished works are also welcome. Due to time constraints, many accepted papers will be assigned for presentation in a poster format rather than orally. Submitters whose papers are accepted must be prepared to accept either mode of presentation.
Deadline for Abstracts: January 29, 2010. Submit electronically (Word document) an abstract of 250 words or less to Kristin Janka Millar and Emily Holley, kristin@msu. edu and holleyem@msu. edu. Outside presenters should seek their own financial assistance for travel and lodging expenses.
For more information contact Kristin Janka Millar (kristin@msu. edu) or Robert Blake (rwblake@msu. edu).
Kristin Janka Millar
Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies
Michigan State University
300 International Center
East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 USA
Ph: 517/353-1690
Fax: 517/432-7471
Please quote 10 Academic Resources Daily in your application to this opportunity!
