Latinx and Latin American Futures: Celebrating 50 Years of LALS and 20 Years of Alianza Americas
50th Anniversary Celebrations
November 8, 2024
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location
Illinois Rooms A & B, Student Center East
Address
750 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607
Calendar
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Latinx and Latin American Futures: Celebrating 50 Years of LALS and 20 Years of Alianza Americas
The Department of Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) at UIC and Alianza Americas are organizing a symposium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of LALS and the 20th anniversary of Alianza Americas. This is a timely moment to reflect on the present and future of Latin America and Latina/os in the United States, and to discuss how to build a research and activist agenda grounded in the aspirations and expectations of the communities that we belong to and serve.
Latin America continues to struggle to find an economic path forward in light of the commodities boom and the climate crisis. As criminal organizations have acquired greater territorial control, authoritarian responses have become increasingly popular, with the rule of law and democracy becoming ever more fragile. Latin American societies are not responding to the legitimate aspirations of their populations. It is thus not surprising that an increasing number of people are leaving their countries of origin or last place residence in search of safety and dignity.
The United States is also facing a critical political moment. We are currently in the midst of a national election, which is making it clear that our system of checks and balances is incapable of upholding the rule of law and of supporting a legitimate democratic system. And even as the Latinx population grows in political strength, it continues to face systemic inequities that prevent economic and social integration and advancement. Moreover, a strong anti-immigrant sentiment is creating a challenging environment for undocumented migrant communities. Their labor fuels the U.S. economy, but instead of being included in the body politic, they are demonized and denigrated.
The conference will take place on Friday, November 8, 2024, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM at UIC in Student Center East, Illinois Rooms A & B. We aim to foster discussion and reflection about ways forward for our communities and our work. We sincerely hope that you join us and be part of this celebratory event.
Schedule
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Opening Remarks:
Jonathan Inda, Chair, Department of Latin American and Latino Studies, UIC
Dulce Guzmán, Executive Director, Alianza Americas
9:20 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. - Panel 1: The Way Forward in Latin America
Moderator: Luis López Resendiz (Alianza Americas)
- Oscar Chacón (Alianza Americas)
- Verónica Zubillaga (UIC, LALS)
- Yoalli Rodríguez Aguilera (DePaul University)
- Diana Schwartz Francisco (University of Chicago)
- Soledad Álvarez Velasco (UIC, LALS and Anthropology)
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. - Panel 2: Latinx Dreams and Aspirations
Moderator: Sandra Diaz (Alianza Americas)
- Juan González (UIC, Great Cities Institute)
- Julie Dowling (UIC, Sociology and LALS)
- Ismael Cid-Martinez (Economic Policy Institute)
- Xóchitl Bada (UIC, LALS)
12:20 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Closing Remarks
Helena Olea, Deputy Director for Programs, Alianza Americas
This event has been generously funded by a Mellon Foundation Affirming Multivocal Humanities Grant.
Date posted
Jul 3, 2024
Date updated
Nov 5, 2024