Sandra Cisneros is a Latina American short-story writer and poet regarded as a key figure in Chicano literature. She is best known for her first novel, "The House on Mango Street," and her subsequent short story collection, "Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories." Her work experiments with literary forms that investigate emerging subject positions, which Cisneros herself attributes to growing up in a context of cultural hybridity and economic inequality that endowed her with unique stories to ...
Apr 01, 2025•55 min
UC Santa Cruz has renamed the Research Center for the Americas in honor of social justice icon Dolores Huerta, whose legacy has influenced the center’s work and values. Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez in 1962, and has spent more than 60 years leading community organizing and lobbying efforts to address issues like labor rights, gender discrimination, voter registration, education reform, LGBTQ rights, and economic inequality on behalf of farm workers, immigrants, wome...
Jan 24, 2024•3 min
A thought leader and former professor of politics and international relations at Florida International University, Francisco O. Mora serves as U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States. Ambassador Mora discusses the challenges and opportunities within the Americas. In prior positions, Ambassador Mora served as Director of the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center as Deputy Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere. His opinion pieces and other commentaries have ap...
May 10, 2023•59 min
UC San Diego Latinx STEM faculty sharing their journey, research and relationship to the Latinx community and experience. Robert Castro, Director of Chicanx and Latinx Studies sits down with Javier Duatre, Ph.D., Olivia Graeve, Ph.D., and Julio Barreiro, Ph.D. Series: "Education Channel" [Humanities] [Education] [Show ID: 38627]
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 23 min
UC San Diego Latinx STEM faculty sharing their journey, research and relationship to the Latinx community and experience. Robert Castro, Director of Chicanx and Latinx Studies sits down with Rommie Amaro, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Alex Frano, Assistant Professor of Physics, and Gilberto Mosqueda, Professor of Structural Engineering Series: "Education Channel" [Humanities] [Education] [Show ID: 38494]
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 16 min
The Institute of the Americas and the UC San Diego School for Global Policy & Strategy presents a public forum featuring a presentation of the new book, North America 2.0: Forging a North American Future, by its two co-editors, Alan Bersin and Tom Long and remarks by senior representatives of the North American Forum from Canada, Mexico and the United States. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38542]
Dec 16, 2022•1 hr 28 min
How do we move from purpose to action? Fundación Tú Más Yo focuses on community development through education and collaboration. Toñe Beguerisse and Dalia Rodriguez speak with Morgan Appel about how they implement programs and work directly with communities to create change. Series: "Education Channel" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Education] [Show ID: 38414]
Nov 22, 2022•43 min
Creating change in communities starts with trust. Fundación Tú Más Yo focuses on community development through education and collaboration. Founders José Antonio Díaz and Alejandro Martínez speak with Morgan Appel about how they partner with communities to establish meaningful collaborations focused on need, sustainability, community engagement, and goodwill. Series: "Education Channel" [Public Affairs] [Education] [Show ID: 38365]
Sep 28, 2022•53 min
The United States uses economic sanctions as a foreign policy tool for one of two reasons: either the latter is a perceived threat to the security of the first nation, or that country treats its citizens unfairly. The United States has imposed sanctions on several Latin American countries, specifically Venezuela, Cuba, and Peru. The leaders of those countries... Nicolás Maduro, Miguel Díaz-Canel and Daniel Ortega are accused of mass atrocities against the people of their countries. The United St...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Despite the imposing of economic sanctions against the authoritarian regimes of Maduro, Diaz-Canel, Ortega, the grip these leaders continue to exert over their countries and its populations continues to remain steadfast. What else can be done? Are there other measures, other means of returning the countries of Venezuela, Cuba and Peru back to its citizens? Join Richard Feinberg as he hosts a panel of experts including Ricardo Herrero, Francisco Monaldi and Manuel Orozco as they discuss fresh app...
Sep 12, 2022•1 hr 30 min
The United States and other foreign countries have imposed crippling sanctions against the governments of Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and Cuba's Miguel Diaz-Canel due to the rule of their authoritarian leaders. Those countries are seeking support elsewhere including with some of the adversaries of the U.S. government. Nicaragua has re-established ties with China in an effort to subvert the economic pressure imposed by the United States. Richard Feinberg hosts a discussi...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 29 min
Mexico is the 10th most populous country, 15th largest economy in the world, and is connected with the United States through its geographic border and strong economic, cultural, and historical ties. California was once Mexico, so it is no surprise that there have been centuries of migrant flows throughout the region. The two countries share nearly 2,000-miles of border, are partners in trade and commerce, and share a fluid binational culture. However, this symbiotic and mutually beneficial US-Me...
Aug 18, 2022•58 min
Authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting. Latin America has seen the rise of authoritarian states in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Institute of the Americas President and CEO Richard Kiy moderates a discussion with Alberto Vollmer and Richard Feinberg discussing fresh thoughts and ideas regardi...
Aug 16, 2022•49 min
Growing up in Bakersfield, California, Manuel Vargas had parents who instilled the value of education and learning in him at an early age. Starting his academic career at a local community college, he found his way to UC Davis and then graduate school and a Ph.D. program. He is now a professor at UC San Diego and his research focuses on the history of philosophy in Latin America. He shares what life is like as a professor and his advice for prospective and current college students. Series: "Educ...
Aug 11, 2022•25 min
The international community and the United States, under both Republican and Democratic Administrations, have failed, by almost any measure, to effectively address the re-emergence of authoritarianism in the Western Hemisphere. The forthcoming virtual forum is being organized in an effort to better understand the roots and resilience of these regimes (especially in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua) and the rapidly evolving international context that facilitates their survival, particularly in light...
Aug 09, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Autocrat, dictator, and socialist. These are just some of the terms that could be used to describe three of Latin America's most controversial leaders - Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, and Cuba's Miguel Diaz-Canel. Despite several elections which in some cases have seen opponents win, they remain in power. This is a cause for concern as other countries such as El Salvador begin to see the erosion of democratic institutions. With the three leaders not on good terms with the...
Aug 03, 2022•1 hr 30 min
For several Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) countries, notably Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Guyana, the production of oil and gas is vital for their fiscal health. This dilemma has only been exacerbated by the economic challenges derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, countries in the region face growing pressure to de-carbonize their economies. To support LAC countries on the path towards net-zero objectives, international financial institutions and multilateral de...
Nov 26, 2021•40 min
In September, the Lopez Obrador administration sent an initiative to Congress aimed at amending the constitution and completely restructuring the electric sector and market. The administration has set forth specific criticisms of the prevailing market structure, particularly with regards to the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). The Institute of the Americas authored white paper, “Clean Energy Cost-Savings: A Study of Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE),” provides an assessment of...
Nov 19, 2021•59 min
The Institute of the Americas is pleased to present the US-Ecuador Bilateral Relations Post COVID: Build Back Better Together forum to help catalyze expanded private sector engagement, investment and economic development in Ecuador. The forum includes keynote addresses by senior officials from the Lasso Administration with presentations on Ecuador’s trade and economic agenda, as well as US-Ecuador bilateral relations on energy and climate change. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Show ID: 3741...
Sep 20, 2021•42 min
The Institute of the Americas presents the US-Ecuador Bilateral Relations Post COVID: Build Back Better Together forum to help catalyze expanded private sector engagement, investment and economic development in Ecuador. The forum includes keynote addresses by senior officials from the Lasso Administration with presentations on Ecuador’s trade and economic agenda, as well as US-Ecuador bilateral relations on energy. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 37407]
Sep 17, 2021•49 min
The Institute of the Americas is pleased to present the US-Ecuador Bilateral Relations Post COVID: Build Back Better Together forum to help catalyze expanded private sector engagement, investment and economic development in Ecuador. The forum includes keynote addresses by senior officials from the Lasso Administration with presentations on Ecuador’s trade and economic agenda, as well as US-Ecuador bilateral relations on energy and climate change. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affair...
Sep 16, 2021•47 min
Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador (The Northern Triangle) are experiencing a historic Diaspora to the US southern border. The precipitants of this migration are an unprecedented economic contraction occurring after back-to-back major hurricanes compounded by a pandemic and further complicated by heightened crime, violence and corruption. Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), Co-Chair of the Congressional Central America Caucus and a native of Guatemala, shares her perspective on the importance o...
Jun 09, 2021•1 hr 25 min
The two-time Governor of New Mexico (2003-2010) and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (1997-1998) and Secretary of Energy (1997- 2000) Bill Richardson shares his perspective on the challenges and opportunities confronting the Biden Administration on a wide range of issues across the Western Hemisphere including national security, migration, trade and investment, energy policy, regional cooperation as well as climate change. He also share his thoughts about the challenges ahead in rebu...
May 05, 2021•59 min
Explore economic perspectives for Mexico, the country’s energy sector outlook, work force development and local content with Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier. The conversation is moderated by Richard Kiy, President of the Institute of the Americas (IOA) and Jeffrey Davidow, former US ambassador to Mexico and Member of the IOA’s Hemispheric Advisory Board. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36882]
Apr 20, 2021•52 min
With the Biden Administration there is the growing prospect of a potential reversal of sanctions and regulations imposed by the Trump Administration that resulted in restricting travel, investment and remittances. At the same time, President Biden faces a challenging political landscape with Cuba as human rights abuses continue to be a serious problem in the country, its intelligence service continues to support Venezuela’s autocratic leader Nicolas Maduro, and unanswered questions about the str...
Apr 07, 2021•1 hr 20 min
The People’s Republic of China has become a major investor, lender and actor across the energy sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. Indeed, loans and investments from China have financed an impressive array of projects in infrastructure, energy and mining. Cecilia Aguillon, Energy Transition Initiative Director and Jeremy M. Martin, Vice President, Energy & Sustainability at the Institute of the Americas present an overview of the Energy & Sustainability program’s report followed b...
Feb 17, 2021•58 min
Sonia Nazario is an award-winning journalist whose stories have tackled some of this country's most intractable problems -- hunger, drug addiction, immigration -- and have won some of the most prestigious journalism and book awards. She is best known for "Enrique's Journey," her story of a Honduran boy's struggle to find his mother in the U.S. Published as a series in the Los Angeles Times, "Enrique's Journey" won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 2003. It was turned into a book by Rando...
Mar 10, 2020•58 min
David Mares, the director of the Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies at UC San Diego, looks ahead to how a Trump presidency will impact Latin America. Series: "What's Next for Washington?" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 31744]
Dec 16, 2016•14 min
Recent, unprecedented collaboration among Mexico’s political parties led to an ambitious package of reforms affecting key sectors and issues, including energy, telecommunications, education and the justice system. In this second session of Mexico Moving Forward, panelists evaluate the state of the reforms, the challenges to their implementation and their long-term impacts on the country. Panelists include Ernesto Canales, Partner, Canales y Socios Abogados; Claudio X. Gonzalez, President and Co-...
Jan 12, 2016•1 hr 27 min
In the first session of a day-long conference on modern Mexico, a panel of economists, political scientists and journalists assess Mexico’s challenges and opportunities as it attempts to regain momentum after the tumult of the last three years. Panelists include: Carlos Capistran, Chief Mexico Economist, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Pablo Chico Hernandez, Division Director, Grupo Carrix; Leonardo Curzio, News Director and Anchor, Primera Emision, Enfoque Noticias; and Paz Consuelo Marquez-Padi...
Jan 11, 2016•1 hr 28 min
