Latin American and Caribbean Working Group
Who are we?
S-CAR's Latin American and Caribbean Working Group is a team of students and faculty who share an interest in and passion for the policies, issues, history and current conflicts affecting Latin America and the Caribbean. We invite guest speakers to share their expertise, organize film showings and special discussions, and work together on initiatives to better understand and transform conflicts in the region.
What do we do?
During the past several years, we have engaged in a wide variety of activities, both educational and practical. We hosted film screenings, dialogues, brown-bag discussions, and even an open mic night! This semester, our activities will be focused on environmental conflicts stemming from resource extraction, and climate change experienced in the region.
Join the LACWG Group we created on Diigo to post and read articles. Diigo is a great resource to quickly share with others interesting articles or news stories you read.
Please contact:
Catherine Ammen - cammen@masonlive.gmu.edu
Hilmi Ulas - hulas@gmu.edu
Working in the Field (If They Let You In):
the many challenges Conflict Resolution professionals face
practicing or conducting research in the field
As if the work of getting conflict parties to sit down and talk were not difficult enough, realities of field work pile on additional challenges for which the newly graduated specialists in conflict analysis and resolution may not be prepared. Aside from the risk of physical harm that tends to be inherent in conflict and post-conflict settings, researchers and practitioners may face government obstruction, including demand for bribes by government officials. Corruption takes many forms, which can be subject to cultural interpretation and is by nature covert, making it notoriously difficult to define, measure and track. This can create serious ethical issues that can be troubling for those new to the field if they have not already had time to process the moral questions that pit colleague and participant’s safety against the opportunity for those voices to be heard. This becomes a particular concern in contexts where the credibility of the data received from the government and the information being broadcast simply do not reflect realities on the ground.
With these concerns in mind, the Africa, Central Asia and Latin America Working Groups at The School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at GeorgeMason University are jointly holding a conference wherein students and professors can share their experiences working and doing research in areas of the world that can be confusing and fraught with moral and physical risks. Topics of interest will ideally include a range of contexts including conflict, post-conflict, violent, authoritarian, or others. Presentations will be 20 minutes long. Each topic will have three speakers in a panel format after which time for questions, answers and discussion has been allotted. Our goal is that participants will leave the conference with a clearer understanding of what they can anticipate as a conflict analysis and resolution practitioner or researcher.
Conference Organization
The conference will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at George Mason University’s campus in Arlington, Virginia. We will select 12 speakers presenting on the following topics:
· - Physical Danger
· - Obstruction / Corruption
· - Ethical Issues
· - Data Authenticity / Availability
Though this event is hosted by the Central Asia, Latin America and Africa Working Groups, we look forward to discussions regarding field conditions all over the world. Further information regarding location, accommodation options and other details will be posted to the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution website found at
www.scar.gmu.edu.
Abstracts
Though students are the intended beneficiaries of this conference, we encourage anyone who has experience relevant to the topics described to submit proposals. Proposals must be no more than 200 words in length. Submissions must include: the name, title and institutional or organizational affiliation, as well as full contact information of the person submitting the abstract.
The deadline is December 5, 2011. Abstracts can be emailed to
lkeuntje@gmu.edu. Those selected to present will be notified no later than January 6, 2012.
For more information, contact:
Linda Keuntje, Central Asia Working Group Chair
(973) 775 2209
Extractive Industries and Human Rights in Peru
Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
George Mason University
Truland Building, Arlington campus, Room 555
Tuesday, March 29, 8:00 pm
During the week of March 28, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is hosting its 141st period of hearing sessions. In light of these hearings, Oxfam America staff and partners from Peru will be speaking on the topic of the rights of Indigenous Peoples’ affected by extractive industries operations. As the Peruvian presidential elections approach, the issue of the right of Indigenous Peoples to a proper and informed consultation remains in the public debate.
Join us to hear the case of the community of Rio Blanco, in Central Peru, neighbor of the Majaz Mining Corporation, which larger shareholder is the Chinese consortium Zijin. Magdiel Carrion- indigenous leader - will speak about the link between the lack of a proper consultation process and the increase of conflict in the region.
This is an excellent opportunity to speak with those directly impacted by extractive operations on the ground and non-governmental organization staffers and their work.
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The Latin American and Caribbean Working Group would like to invite you to a film screening! We will be showing City of God with discussion afterwards. Free pizza! Come down to room 555 on March 10th, 7:30 to join with friends for this movie night.
