CERLAC News

 

CERLAC and CALACS Collaborate

In previous newsletters we reported on the very successful 27th Annual Congress of the Canadian Association of Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CALACS) held at CERLAC in November 1996, co-chaired by Ricardo Grinspun and Patrick Taylor. Two books are currently being prepared based on panels held at the Congress: a book on Caribbean Religions edited by Patrick Taylor, and a book on Civil-Military Relations in Latin America edited by Nibaldo Galleguillos and Jorge Nef.

Following his role as co-chair of the Congress, Grinspun was elected Vice-President of CALACS and very soon thereafter also became Secretary-Treasurer after the elected member resigned. He was also asked to serve as the Financial Officer of the Canadian Council of Area Studies Learned Societies (CCASLS), an umbrella organization of which CALACS is a member.  Currently, Judith Teichman serves as President of CCASLS, Viviana Patroni as Secretary-Treasurer, and Nibaldo Galleguillos and Ricardo Grinspun are members of the board.  More recently, many CERLAC Fellows and graduate students participated in the 28th CALACS Congress held in Vancouver in March 1998.


 

New Resource Collection Available at CERLAC

CERLAC is pleased to announce the addition of the Canada Latin America Resource Centre (CLARC) collection to the CERLAC Documentation Centre.   This unique collection was donated to CERLAC by the Latin American Working Group (LAWG) whose research work resulted in the creation of the library.

CERLAC offers thanks to both LAWG for this generous donation, and to Ms. Caese Levo, librarian at the Anglican Church of Canada, for her efforts in arranging for both the transfer of materials as well for their installation at CERLAC.  The collection is non-circulating and it is available to students, faculty and other researches at the Documentation Centre during regular hours.

The materials were gathered together over the 25 year period from 1966 to 1991 and document this time of social ferment in Latin America.  There are extensive country files for every country in Latin America and to a lesser extent the Caribbean.  The amount of material tends to reflect the areas of  research carried out by LAWG over the years.  Consequently there is a large amount of material on the Dominican Republic from the 1960’s and early  1970’s, Chile before and after the coup of 1973, Brazil in the later 1970s, and on Central America in the 1980’s.  LAWG’s research focused on Canada’s economic and political relations with the region, especially on Canadian aid policies and the activities of Canadian corporations.

Over the years LAWG worked closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), church affiliated organizations and the trade union sector. The strength of the collection lies in the extensive country files which contain articles and reports from these sectors in both South and North America.  There is also a large amount of original, ephemeral material produced by popular organizations in the region that exist nowhere else in Canada (e.g. pamphlets, newsletters, bulletins).  Much of the material cited in the reference source "Canada and Latin America, 1970-1990, A Bibliography" can be found in the CLARC collection.

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program (LACS)

York University’s strength in the field of Latin American and Caribbean Studies is also reflected at the level of undergraduate teaching. Most CERLAC Fellows appointed to York teach courses in the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Programme (LACS), an interdisciplinary undergraduate programme that was created in the mid-1970s. LACS offers students an opportunity to combine their major departmental or divisional specialization with a set of specialized courses focusing on the Latin American and Caribbean region. The interdisciplinary nature of the LACS programme ensures a broader and deeper understanding of the region.  LACS offers approximately 25 courses each year from the humanities and the social sciences which provide a shared intellectual meeting ground for LACS majors and other students.

In recent years there has been a growing student interest in the LACS field. In part, this can be attributed to the growing up of second generation Latin Americans and Caribbeans in the Greater Toronto Area who are interested in their roots, as well as a general burgeoning interest in the process of integration occurring throughout the Hemisphere.

LACS works closely with Founders College and CERLAC to offer students a variety of events related to the Latin American and Caribbean regions, including guest lecturers as well as cultural and social events. Thanks to the work of LACS Interns over the years the LACS office offers students relevant information on career opportunities, study abroad programmes and graduate schools in the LACS field. Several former LACS majors have gone on to pursue graduate studies at York and at other universities while others have taken jobs or internships related to their field of studies in Canada and abroad.

In collaboration with York International, LACS supports a formal student exchange agreement with the University of the West Indies (UWI) which allows students to take courses at UWI and get credit from York. LACS majors also get credit for other courses taken at other universities in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Finally, the programme supports the LACS student association (LACSA) which provides students with an opportunity to meet together and set their own agenda.

For further information about the LACS programme you can contact LACS Coordinator Prof. Eduardo Canel
at 217 Founders College, 736-2100 ext. 66909 or by email at ecanel@yorku.ca.


 

PHIL STUART RETURNS TO NICARAGUA

Phillip Stuart Courneyeur (Felipe Stuart), who has been coordinating CERLAC projects during the past year, will be going home to Nicaragua at the end of September. He came to CERLAC in September 1998 to assume responsibilities as coordinator of the York-URACCAN Linkage Project and also the CERLAC-OAS-DFAIT Youth Internship Program. In June, he coordinated the visit to Canada of a delegation of ten women from the Foro de Mujeres para la Integración Centroamericana. He also helped CERLAC to begin the transition brought on by the early retirement of Liddy Gomes and by the search for a new Director for our Centre.

Harry Smaller, URACCAN Project Director and CERLAC Director Ricardo Grinspun both expressed their deep appreciation for the invaluable contributions that Felipe has made in the short period he has been at CERLAC. They are sure that he will remain a close collaborator and friend of CERLAC in Nicaragua.

CERLAC  Events

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

A public policy workshop titled Toward the Santiago Summit: A Consultation with Civil Society on Democracy, Human Rights, and Economic Integration was held on October 24, 1997.  The purpose of the event was to provide a forum for individuals and organizations from civil society in Ontario to express their views on issues of democracy, human rights and economic integration, in preparation for the Summit of the Americas planned for April 1998 in Santiago, Chile.

The SICA/CERLAC project has organized several workshops and events (see page 7). In July 1997 a two day meeting was held in San Salvador with the participation of 45 leaders of Central American regional organizations. In November 1997 a three day regional workshop was held in San Salvador on the theme of “Civil Society and Central American Integration.” In late 1998 and early 1999 two day national workshops on the same theme were organized in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

In honour of the life, work and ideas of Brazilian educator Paolo Freire who died in April 1997, the York Faculty of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Education, CERLAC and the Transformative Learning Centre of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto co-sponsored a participatory seminar on November 20, 1997, to share stories, offer examples of projects inspired by Freire’s thinking, and continue a critical dialogue with his ideas.  There were brief presentations combined with short video clips of Freire and Freire-inspired projects, as well as  open dialogue with seminar participants.

A workshop on the situation and implications of labour migration among NAFTA countries was held at York University on December 5, 1997.  CERLAC and the Canadian Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL) jointly organized this workshop, with several CERLAC Fellows participating in the sessions.

The conference Globalization: A Challenge to Youth, Zooming in on Culture was held February 13-15, 1998 and was organized to stimulate discussion on important international development issues.  CERLAC assisted the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in organizing the conference.

From September 1998 until February 1999 CERLAC administered a youth internship program sponsored by DFAIT.  Fifteen Canadian university graduates were selected to work at the Organization of American States (OAS) for five months.  CERLAC hosted a two-week pre-internship workshop and a one-week post-internship debriefing session.

CERLAC co-sponsored a conference organized by the Department of History and Founders College on Legacies of 1898: Cuba, US, Philippines & Spain on November 6, 1998.

CERLAC sponsored a conference Dialogues in the Spirit: Caribbean Religions in Comparative Perspective at Founders College November 12-15, 1998.  The opening keynote address was made by Pandita Indrani Rampersad, the first state recognized female hindu Pundit in Trinidad and Tobago.

In June 1999 CERLAC organized a week-long series of workshops for members of the Central American Women’s Forum, bringing together Canadian scholars and activists and leaders of the Forum.  Previous to this, CERLAC co-organized a week-long workshop in February 1999 in Nicaragua focused on political organizing and lobbying.

SEMINARS AND PRESENTATIONS

On November 13, 1997 CERLAC welcomed Daniel Enrique Serpa, President of the Colombian National Federation of Petroleum, Petrochemical and Power Workers (FEDEPETROL) to speak on the theme of “Human Rights, Criminalization of Social Protests and Organizing Civil Society in Colombia.”  At the time, 17 members of a FEDEPETROL affiliate, the Union Sindical Obrera, were under arrest and subject to vague charges of “terrorism”.

John Tyynela, Official of the Democratic Development Unit of the United Nations Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), led a seminar titled “Local Power and the Peace Process in Guatemala,” on November 26, 1997. Tyynela is currently working on community socio-economic development issues at the MINUGUA headquarters in Guatemala City.

On December 5, 1997 CERLAC, with the Centre for Social Justice, Development Education Centre, the Socialist Register and Alternatives, co-sponsored a public forum titled “Ruthless Criticism of All That Exists,” with  guests Greg Albo (Political Science), Naomi Klein, Colin Leys, Leo Panitch (Political Science) and commentators Judy Rebick and André Gunder Frank.

On February 5, 1998 Mauro Flórez Calderón (Political Science, National University in Colombia) presented “Drug Trafficking: Truth and Lies, The Colombian Case,” which dealt with the emergence and the tragedy of the drug problem in Colombia and the relationship between the government, the Mafia, civil society and the international community.

Judith Rudakoff  (Theatre Department) gave a presentation on February 5, 1998, co-sponsored by The Centre for the Support of Teaching and CERLAC titled “I Am a War, my Voice is a Weapon:  Identity and Otherness in the Canadian Culture, and How They are Reflected in Contemporary Cuban Theatre.” Professor Rudakoff examined how theatre can be the last line of defense in the war against cultural obliteration by allowing us to adopt our own unique voice and sense of identity.

On February 12, 1998 Professor  Rudakoff offered a presentation titled, “Re/calling the Wild: Mythological Aspects of the Feminine in the Plays of Judith Thompson, Sally Clark, and Connie Gault”.  The lecture dealt with contemporary Canadian women playwrights and how they use imagery and what that imagery means.  It was an effort to encourage theatre enthusiasts to analyze the plays they see and recognize the symbols that permeate theatre.

Angélica Celis, Executive Director of the Centre for Education and Technology presented “Sustainable Agricultural Development in Southern Chile” on July 6, 1998.  This Chilean-based NGO promotes ecologically sustainable improvements in agriculture while helping farmers to participate in rural policy-making. Angélica is a Chilean team member in the new linkage project starting in early 2000.

On August 28, 1998, CERLAC presented a roundtable discussion on “Canada and the OAS: Promoting Human Security in the Americas” with Brian Dickson (former Canadian Ambassador to the OAS), Jorge Nef (Political Science, University of Guelph) and Liisa North (Political Science). This roundtable was part of the OAS-CERLAC internship project.

A panel discussion entitled “Justice Beyond Chilean Borders” was organized by CERLAC, the Development Education Centre, the Centre for Social Justice and the Action Committee for Chile on November 13, 1998.  The discussants included: Joan Simalchik (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), Nibaldo Galleguillos (McMaster University), Judith Teichman (University of Toronto), Jorge Nef (University of Guelph) and Claudio Durán (Atkinson College) and occurred at the Koffler Institute at the University of Toronto.

On November 27, 1998, the Faculty of Environmental Studies and CERLAC co-sponsored one session of the 1998-99 seminar series Culture, Technology and Nature.  Gilberto Aboites and Francisco Martínez of Antonio Narro Autonomous University in Mexico presented “An Approach to the Discourse of Seeds, Science and Technology: The Case of Mexico”.

Her Excellency Janet Jagan, President of Guyana, delivered a lecture on “The Life and Times of Cheddi Jagan” at York University on March 27, 1999.  The lecture was sponsored by CERLAC, York International, the Guyanese Social Club, Founders College and members of the Guyanese community.

On April 8, 1999, CERLAC, York International, the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President (University Advancement) announced the visit of Dr. Oscar Arias, Nobel Peace Laureate, to deliver the Inaugural Baptista Lecture at York University “The Moral Challenge of Globalization: Principles for Human Development”.
 

BROWN BAG SEMINAR SERIES

CERLAC’s Brown Bag Seminar Series provides an informal and multi-disciplinary forum for discussion of recent research related to Latin America and the Caribbean.   See the Graduate News section for a listing of recent seminars.
 

LACS & CERLAC

Elizabeth Polito Barrios, Coordinator of the Chiapas Centre for Information and Analysis and professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Chiapas, led a seminar on November 25, 1997 co-sponsored by the Latin American and Caribbean Student Association (LACSA), the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program (LACS), and CERLAC, titled “The Zapatistas and the Mexican Government: Autonomy versus National Unity”. Professor Polito Barrios has published and conducted research on a variety of topics, including the impact of craft production on peasant families in the Chiapas highlands, women’s organizations and the roots of rural conflict in Chiapas.

LACSA, LACS, Founders College and  CERLAC sponsored an  interactive talk and video presentation titled “Chiapas: The Unheard Story,” on February 5, 1998.  The talk was given by Fernando Hernández Pérez, ffiliated
with Food for Chiapas and Aboriginal Voices Magazine.

On February 5, 1998, as part of the International Development Week, York International and LACS organized a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Fair. About 24 NGOs from Toronto and Ottawa participatedin the presentation of several international projects, internships, scholarships, work and volunteer opportunities.

On March 27, 1998 CERLAC and LACS presented “Cuba Faces the New Millennium: Present and Future Challenges: Dialogue with Dr. Aleida Guevara”. Dr. Guevara, Che Guevara’s daughter, is a medical doctor in a children’s hospital in Havana. She spoke about Che’s life and current realities in Cuba, including healthcare.

LACS and CERLAC presented “En Route to Armageddon: Mexican Elections Y2K” on October 29, 1998. The talk was presented by Scott S. Robinson, a Professor of Social Anthropology at Universidad Metropolitana in Mexico.

In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Mitch in Central America, CERLAC and LACS mounted an appeal at York University in November 1998 to raise money for disaster relief.  This effort was coordinated with the assistance of Pueblito Canada, a non-profit organization working in Latin America.

On February 26, 1999 the Latin American and Caribbean Student Association at York University organized a fundraising event for the victims of the earthquake in Colombia in January.  The event took place at Rancho Relajo in Toronto and was co-sponsored by LACS and CERLAC.
 

OTHER EVENTS

On February 6, 1998 the Guatemalan Community Network of Toronto and CERLAC organized a panel titled “Guatemala: The Struggle for Social-Political Transformation,” with Guatemalan guests Dr. Silvia Solorzano Foppa and Professor Adrián Zapata.

CERLAC sponsored a dance and fundraiser for the National Association of Agricultural Workers (ANTA) of El Salador on March 8, 1998.  Ana María Calles and Teodoro Ardón from ANTA presented “Peasant and Agricultural Workers’ Organization in El Salvador” on March 12, 1998.  ANTA struggles for the inclusion of the poor rural majority in the benefits of socioeconomic development in El Salvador, while at the same time promoting the enhancement of peasants social, economic and political capacities to participate in building that development.

On August 5, 1998, Ricardo Grinspun signed his name on behalf of CERLAC in a letter addressed to Colombian President Andrés Pastrana expressing concern over the abhorrent human rights situation in Colombia.  In the past decade, more than 30,000 Colombians have been killed in political violence and thousands more have been forcibly “disappeared” or compelled to flee in exile.

A reading of Judith Rudakoff’s play in progress “Rum & Coca Cola” was sponsored by CERLAC October 14, 1998.  The reading took place at the Joseph G. Green Studio Theatre at York University with proceeds donated to Cuba’s Teatro Escambray.

On November 3, 1998 the IFCO/Pastor’s for Peace brought their “Caravan to Chiapas and Nicaragua” to York University in celebration of their 10th anniversary.  IFCO/Pastor’s for Peace is a caravan of North American NGOs working in solidarity with people in Chiapas and Nicaragua to increase awareness in North America about the effects of U.S. policy on Mexico and Central America.

On April 29, 1999 CERLAC hosted a URACCAN project information session which showed slides and provided an update about recent news in Nicaragua.  Following the session, CERLAC hosted its End of the Year party.
 

Visitors to CERLAC

CERLAC had a continuous flow of visitors who came to meet people, exchange information, give a talk, and/or
discuss common interests.  Here is a sample:

Amanda Puhiera, URACCAN University, Nicaragua; June 1997.

Dr. Manuel Sierra Navarro and Dr. Paul Guerrero, Universidad de Cartagena; Manuel Alvarez Cuenca, Ryerson
Polytechnical; and Catalina Chaux, Colombian Consulate in Toronto; June 27, 1997.

Jorge F. Vibes, Centre of Argentinian and Canadian Studies, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina; .July 23,
1997.

Peter Loan, Canadian Bureau for International Education; August 7, 1997.

Mónica Isabel Bendini, Grupo de Estudios Sociales Agrarios (GESA), Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Buenos Aires, Argentina; August 19, 1997.

Ana Ciarallo, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Buenos Aires; September 11, 1997.

A delegation from the University of Guyana; September 29, 1997.

Dr. Luis Torres, Universidad Arcís, Santiago, Chile; October 22, 1997.

Berenice P. Ramírez López, Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas, Mexico; November 13, 1997.

John Tyynela, United Nations Mission in Guatemala; November 26, 1997.

Nellie Osorio, Universidad Nacional Experimental Rafael Maria Baralt, Venezuela; December 4, 1997.

Jose Mario Ramírez, Fundación FUNDAUNGO, El Salvador; January 15, 1998.

Dr. Aleida Guevara, physician and Che Guevara’s daughter, Cuba; March 27, 1998.

Epsy Campbell, Women’s Forum for Central American Integration; June 26, 1998.

Angélica Celis, Centre for Education and Technology, Temuco, Chile; July 6, 1998.

Gilberto Aboites, sociologist, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Coahuila, Mexico; was a Visiting Fellow from September to November 1998.

Scott S. Robinson, Universidad Metropolitana, Mexico; October 29, 1998.

Carlos Rosero and Libia Grueso, Proceso de Communidades Negras, Colombia;  November 26, 1998.

Carol Wood, Casa Canadiense, Nicaragua; February 4, 1999.

Ingrid Godinez, Ulew Tinimit, Guatemala; March 9, 1999.

Ofelia Scher and María Inés Fernández, history, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; March 1999.

Janet Jagan, President of Guyana; March 27, 1999.

Dr. Oscar Arias, Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress; April 8, 1999.

As part of a visit coordinated by the Inter-American Organzation for Higher Education (IOHE) and AUCC, Ricardo Grinspun gave an overview of York University and CERLAC for a 25 member delegation from the Association of Colombian Universities on September 30, 1997.

Professor Mauro Flores Calderón of Universidad Nacional of Colombia visited CERLAC from September 1997 until May 1998.  During his stay Professor Flores Calderón participated in several academic activities and conducted studies on the Canadian experience in the field of communications, which he considers will be of great
interest to the Andean region.  He also established important connections between  Universidad Nacional de Colombia and CERLAC.


 

GLOBALIZATION: A CHALLENGE TO YOUTH
ZOOMING IN ON CULTURE

During the weekend of February 13-15, 1998, the York Local Committee of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), with the support and assistance of CERLAC, invited local committees in the Ontario region to examine the theme of globalization in a conference titled "Globalization: A Challenge to Youth, Zooming in on Culture."  The conference was part of a larger International Development Symposium Series that took place in five regions across Canada.  The objective of the Symposium was to educate, and to initiate an exchange of ideas among members of the post-secondary sector on important international development issues. What we eat, the way our clothes are manufactured, and what is viewed on television or on the internet are all issues connected to globalization. Understanding the impact of these daily activities  is critical to understanding the phenomenon of globalization.

The three-day conference consisted of fifteen workshops covering issues related to globalization and the youth of today. These topics included human rights, internet  technology, trade agreements, social justice, eco-entrepreneurialship, food issues and sustainability.  Each of these topics were covered in three hands-on workshops that included 'coalition building', 'creative advocacy' and 'ensuring sustainability'. In addition to educating and informing, these workshops provided an opportunity for participants to acquire practical skills necessary for the next level: concrete action.

The keynote speaker of the event was Diana Barikoa-Wiwa from the organization MOSOP (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People).  Barikoa-Wiwa had  been forced to flee Nigeria after her brother-in-law, environmental activist and writer, Ken Saro Wiwa, was executed by the military regime. She is involved in the struggle for human rights and environmental sustainability of the Ogoni people that inhabit  the Delta region of Nigeria.

Barikoa-Wiwa informed the participants about the current situation of  the Ogoni people and made connections between globalization, youth and culture.  She stressed the importance of our social responsibility and the power consumers have in the marketplace.  This power stems from our  choice to buy particular products made with certain standards and by specific companies.

Some of the other speakers were from organizations such as the Multiracial Network for Environmental Justice, York's Centre for Applied Sustainability,  the Maquila Solidarity Network,  the Centre for Social Justice, TAO Communications, Ten Days for Social Justice and Citizens Concerned About Free Trade.  For the participants the workshops were a great forum to share ideas, challenge perspectives and discuss key issues. While understandings of globalization varied, there was an underlying message that transcended each workshop and each issue that was discussed.  This message was that each of us has a  social responsibility to understand how our actions in our daily lives impact the lives of people in near and distant places.

Guyanese President Janet Jagan Gives Inaugural Lecture at York

President Janet Jagan of Guyana spoke to an audience at York University on March 27, 1999, marking the first of a series of Jagan Lectures established to honour and keep alive the memory of Dr. Cheddi Jagan.  In her inaugural lecture, Mrs. Jagan established the tone of the Jagan Lecture Series by presenting an insider’s view of Dr. Jagan and his legacy.  Two years after his death on March 6, 1997, people of Guyana and around the world continue to be inspired by his efforts of achieving global justice.

In her speech, Mrs. Jagan noted that it is hard to understand Guyana’s history without studying the efforts and accomplishments of Cheddi Jagan.  She quoted from a speech Dr. Cheddi had planned to give at York University in 1997, but was unfortunately never able to deliver.  She spoke of the legacy of Dr. Jagan and his efforts to promote the cause of Guyana to espouse freedom and equality for all.  Dr. Jagan believed that Guyana must adopt a democratic model of development but within a framework of self-determination and economic progress.  She explained his incredible dedication to his work and how “he committed himself to a single goal of freedom for his country and people and never, even for once, wavered”.  He inspired people to liberate themselves from slavery, bondage and economic hardship.

Mrs. Jagan reminded the audience to focus on Dr. Jagan’s main contributions to Guyana and his inspiration for others to follow in his footsteps.  Acting as a political leader, teacher and organizer of working classes, Dr. Jagan’s goal was to bring freedom, equality and prosperity to Guyanese people.  He was also an internationalist in his struggle against injustice and poverty around the world.  Economic growth, human development, and national unity were central to achieving his goal.

In her concluding remarks, Mrs. Jagan described Dr. Jagan as a humble and honest man who always saw what was good in people.  She ended her speech with the hope that the future of the lecture series would continue to foster many discussions of the life and times of Cheddi Jagan.

The entire contents of Mrs. Jagan's lecture can be found on the CJ Lecture Series webpage.

The lecture was organized by members of the Guyanese community, CERLAC, York International, the Guyanese Social Club, and Founders College.

DR. OSCAR ARIAS DELIVERS BAPTISTA LECTURE AT YORK
by Andrew McRae

In a world dominated by greed, deprivation, war and social inequity, York University is stepping out from the status-quo by embracing visible advocates of peace and social justice.  On the heels of President of Guyana Janet Jagan’s inaugural Jagan Lecture concerning social activist Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s vision of a “New Human Order” on March 27, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former president of Costa Rica, Dr. Oscar Arias, was welcomed to Moot Court in Osgoode Law School on April 8 to deliver the inaugural Baptista Lecture, “The Moral Challenge of Globalization: Principles for Human Development.”

The lecture series is designed to publicize the work and ideologies of Michael Baptista, a Royal Bank executive and York University Schulich School of Business MBA former student who died in 1995. Arias advanced Baptista’s argument of democracy, social justice, human development, demilitarization and global peace in his hour-long lecture.  Furthermore, he stressed the importance of job-security and social welfare in an age of commercial globalization.

“Traditional understanding of economics are changing,” Arias told the gathering.  “For some, the new economic system means being able to make investments with a worldly perspective [for the purpose of] maximizing profits; for many others it means facing the end of job security and, at the same time, witnessing the reappearance of sweat-shops.”  Pitching profit-making against job security is an evil the former president is publicly speaking out against.

Arias also lashed out at military-hungry governments, accusing them of adding to the disproportions of wealth and poverty found within their own states, for it is the massive budgets allocated to militarization that are taking away from more pressing and human issues such as poverty and debt relief.  While in office, Arias systematically and completely eliminated any need for a Costa Rican military, and today, the country stands as the successful flagship of his theory of demilitarization.

The former president today serves as an outspoken advocate of the Year 2000 Campaign to redirect world military spending to human development.  This is an international effort which lobbies the United Nations to allocate special envoys to sites of potential military conflict.  For Arias, redirecting the ludicrous amounts of miliary budgets is not an option in a world where “a billion and a half people have no access to clean water, and a billion live in miserably substandard housing.”

Arias’ theory of a new economy based on human development is not arrived at without knowledge and experience.  His academic credentials include a law and economics degree from the University of Costa Rica, and a PhD in political science from the University of Essex, Great Britain.  He served as a political science professor at the University of Costa Rica, was appointed Costa Rican Minister of Planning and Economic Policy, and was elected secretary-general of the National Liberation Party in 1981.

Arias became president of Costa Rica in 1986, a time of chaotic upheaval in Central America with ongoing wars in neighbouring Nicaragua and Guatemala.  In 1987, Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering the Esquipulas II Accords—the regional peace agreement that ended the hostilities.

Arias made use of the monetary award from the Peace Prize to found the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress; a foundation that works to promote conflict resolution in the developing world and equal opportunities for women, while strengthening the participation and peaceful solidarity of the peoples of Central America. While this is a positive campaign, it has little tangible effect globally, he complained, as there is little budget to establish branches of the foundation in countries other than Costa Rica.

York University is increasingly serving as an ally to outspoken critics of social inequity and failed human development.  Moreover, it is cementing its friendship with the Caribbean and Latin America with the invitation of President of Guyana, Janet Jagan, and former President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias.  With the efforts of York International and the University’s Centre for Research on Latin American and the Caribbean (CERLAC), an awareness of global human development issues is growing within the University community.

Andrew McRae is a student in the History Departmenta at York University.   Reproduced in part with kind permission of the Department of Communications, York University.

CERLAC AND LACS APPEAL TO YORK COMMUNITY FOR HURRICANE MITCH DISASTER RELIEF

By early November 1998, it was impossible not to witness the media reports of the human casualty and damage inflicted by Hurricane Mitch in Central America.  Unfortunately, these reports were as accurate as they were chilling.  Over a week after the initial devastation, agencies and governments still had little idea about the extent of human destruction—let alone the level of suffering and deprivation of those millions who were able to survive the initial onslaught.

CERLAC and LACS (the Latin America and Caribbean Studies Program) joined forces with Pueblito Canada, a Toronto-based non-profit organization working in Latin America, in an attempt to assist the victims of Hurricane Mitch in Central America.  York University, and many of its faculty, staff and students, have had a long-standing involvement with collaborative projects in Central and South America—activities based on our commitment to democratic and sustainable development in the region.  Partly for these reasons, CERLAC and LACS decided to mount a university-wide appeal for donations towards disaster-relief.  This appeal was endorsed by numerous program directors and coordinators across York University, including: York International; Associate Vice-President (Research); Division of Social Science; African Studies Program, East Asian Studies Program; Department of Political Science; Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG); York University Faculty Association; Founders College; and the York University Hispanic Students Association.

Pueblito Canada, a long-standing organization dedicated to children’s rights and quality of life projects in a number of Latin American countries, agreed to process the donations from the York University community.  Decisions about directing these funds to relief and development organizations and agencies in Central America were made jointly by representatives of CERLAC, LACS and Pueblito.  An effort was made to direct relief and redevelopment support to projects relating particularly to children and youth where possible.

Thanks to the generous donations of the university community, CERLAC, LACS, and Pueblito were able to jointly raise over $10, 000.  Although this seems to barely scratch the surface of the resources required to assist the victims of Hurricane Mitch, it demonstrates a willingness of the part of York University to extend a helping hand in a time of need.