2011-2012

SEPTEMBER 15: Sarmiento in the Americas: Literature, History, Education and Urban Development Across Two Centuries

In September 2011 a research conference celebrating the anniversary of the death of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (February 15, 1811 - September 11, 1888) was organized by Diana Sorensen, Dean for the Arts and Humanities and a scholar of Latin American literature and culture, Mariano Siskind, Assistant Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, and Jorge Silvetti, Nelson Robinson, Jr. Professor of Architecture. Domingo Sarmiento was an Argentine activist, intellectual, writer, and the seventh president of Argentina (1868-1874). He was a member of a group of intellectuals known as the Generacion del 1837, and author of the seminal book, "Facundo: Civilizacion y Barbarie". Sarmiento was very influential in improving and expanding the Argentine educational system and was an important influence on the region's literature. Two hundred years after his birth, the conference and tribute were held at Harvard as part of a program organized by the local government, the Sarmiento Association, and the Harvard Club, among other organizations, called "Sarmiento's Bicentennial. Two Cities, a Tribute", and was supported by DRCLAS. Presentations were given by Jorge Silvetti, Tulio Halperin Donghi (UC Berkeley), Sylvia Molloy (NYU), Diana Sorensen, and Adrian Gorelik (University of Quilmes). 

2010-2011

SEPTEMBER 23: Science Symposium at Harvard University

A delegation of 11 graduate students and six professors from six leading Brazilian universities came to Harvard to participate in the Science Symposium at Harvard University, which was organized by the DRCLAS Brazil Studies Program. The Brazilian scientists and an equal number of professors and students from Harvard presented and discussed their research. The participants were grouped into three different seminar groups, according to field of study: environmental engineering, materials science and life sciences. The Brazilian delegation’s visit to Harvard was made possible by Santander Universities.

JANUARY 27–29: Black in Latin America Conference

Black in Latin America was a multinational conference inspired by Professor Henry Louis Gates’s PBS documentary of the same name. The conference gathered scholars from Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and the United States to discuss a variety of issues related to race relations of Afro-descendants in the Caribbean and Latin America. Six panels over two days featured scholars who were interviewed in the documentary. Two roundtable discussions led by top U.S. scholars were featured. In addition, authors Maryse Condé, Edwidge Danticat, and Jamaica Kincaid were on hand to do readings and participate in discussions with panelists and roundtable members.

MARCH 26: XIII HBS Latin American Conference: The Future Unlocked

The Harvard Business School’s annual Latin American conference brought together leaders from across Latin America to discuss relevant current events, trends and policies that shape the Latin American business environment. Topics included: economic growth, crisis management, social enterprise and media, among others. Keynote speakers included: Álvaro Uribe, former President of Colombia; Luis Téllez, Chairman and CEO of the Mexican Stock Exchange; and Meyer Malka, co-founder of Bling Nation.

APRIL 16: Brazil21@Harvard Student Conference

Harvard undergraduate and graduate students from across the University shared their Brazil-related research projects and initiatives. This student-run conference included presentations from students on urban planning, political science, public policy and other fields of study. Special presentations were given by John Briscoe, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Environmental Engineering (SEAS) and Professor of the Practice of Environmental Health (HSPH); and Gilberto Dimenstein, a renowned Brazilian journalist and author who is currently a Fellow at Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Institute.