12 Think Tanks Wish to Promote Political, Economic and Social Change in Latin America
12 Think Tanks Wish to Promote Political, Economic and Social Change in Latin America
First Latin American Initiative for Public Policy Research (ILAIPP) Meeting to be held in Antigua, Guatemala November 7-8, with the goal of developing viable public policies for the region
The proposed solutions for the development of Latin American countries must be based on research and on near successful and replicable experiences that can be used in other countries. The greatest challenge lies in addressing global situations that affect smaller countries like Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala from a Latin American perspective.
This is the purpose of a meeting between political, economic and social specialists that form the newly created Latin American Initiative for Public Policy Research (ILAIPP) who will present the advances and the challenges that social inclusion faces, especially in diversity, vulnerable groups and education.
This conference will take place in Antigua (Guatemala), on November 7th and 8th. During the encounter, the 12 think tanks, prominent researchers and representatives from regional organizations such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) and the Think Tank Initiative (TTI) will be able to strengthen proposals that can promote political economic and social change in each country. Representatives of international organizations and local governments such as Hugo Beteta (CEPAL Sub Regional Director), Julio Raudales (Planning and Foreign Aid Minister from Honduras), and Fausto Segovia (Former Education Minister from Ecuador), will participate in the event, as well as Open Society Foundation (founded by George Soros), the Australian Cooperation and the International Development Research Center (Canadian foundation that supports this initiative and overall research in Latin America).
According to Orazio Bellettini, member of ILAIPP´s executive committee, “This initiative is especially relevant in a region such as ours, where a public policy with high reach, especially in social inclusion, can affect the life of tens of thousands of people.”
A different Latin American network
This event will serve as the international launch of the Latin American Initiative for Public Policy Research (ILAIPP), a forum for discussion and exchange, as well as a collaboration effort that is based on diversity of knowledge, experiences and characteristics that differentiate each country, which are united by common realities.
ILAIPP will open a space where proposals that originate from the region can be developed for this specific region, and where Latin America can have a voice in a global public policy discussion. ILAIPP will also benefit other think tanks by providing them with tools that can help them improve their research, administration and influence.
From the very beginning, ILAIPP has had the support of the Think Tank Initiative (TTI), a program focused on strengthening independent think tanks in developing countries. Today ILAIPP is formed by twelve think tanks: two in Peru (Instituto de Estudios Peruanos -IEP- and Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo -GRADE-), two in Paraguay (Centro de Análisis y Difusión de la Economía Paraguaya -CADEP- and Instituto Desarrollo -ID-), two in Ecuador (Centro Ecuatoriano de Derecho Ambiental -CEDA- and Grupo FARO), two in Bolivia (Fundación ARU and Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Desarrollo -INESAD-), two in El Salvador (Fundación Dr. Guillermo Manuel Ungo -FUNDAUNGO- and Fundación Salvadoreña para el Desarrollo Económico y Social -FUSADES-), one in Honduras (Foro Social de Deuda Externa y Desarrollo de Honduras -FOSDEH-), and one in Guatemala (Asociación de Investigación y Estudios Sociales -ASIES-).
“Latin America towards social inclusion: advances, lessons learned and challenges”
All the papers, experiences and exchanges will take place during the Conference “Latin America towards social inclusion: advances, lessons learned and challenges”, where five research papers that describe the effects of social inclusion in tourism, education, the work force, participation, and poverty will be presented by Guatemala, Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru.
This will be the first time that an academic, Latin American point of view is voiced in the world wide discussion that surrounds social inclusion. This topic will be discussed from an equality standpoint.
For Latin American Initiative for Public Policy Research (ILAIPP) Alejandra Stein, +505 22798615 alejandra.stein@bm.com
