FROM THE
THINK Center for the Opening and Development
of Latin America (CADAL) • Woodrow
TANKS Wilson International Center for Scholars •
Plataforma Democrática
Recent studies from around the hemisphere offer
some intriguing new takes on current issues. The
Center for the Opening and Development of
Latin America (CADAL)—a Buenos Aires-based
research institution founded in 2003—compiles
the annual indices that have become all the rage,
with institutions now measuring democratic liberty,
corruption, development of market economies,
and government transparency. CADAL’s December
2008 report, titled, Democracy, Market and
Transparency, found that Chile continued to earn
the highest composite rating in Latin America in
these categories. Uruguay, at number 22 globally,
was just five positions behind Chile, surpassing both
France and Spain on the worldwide scale as a result
of advancements in tackling corruption.
In the field of security,
the Woodrow Wilson
International Center for
Scholars in Washington
DC published the ground-breaking Reforma de las
fuerzas armadas en América
Latina y el impacto de
las amenazas irregulares
(Reform of Latin America’s
Armed Forces and the
Impact of Irregular Threats)
in mid-2008. Chapters look at how countries can
adapt to present-day challenges. The volume has
contributions from policymakers and scholars
examining security reform and drugs, gangs and
crime in a number of countries including El Salvador,
Brazil, Mexico, and Peru.
As the result of a multi-year research project,
Plataforma Democrática has compiled a database
of 450 Latin America/democracy-oriented research
centers and think tanks. For easy, one-stop access to
all of them, check out the website, which maintains
an online library:
www.plataformademocratica.org.
This Rio de Janeiro-based organization announced in
January 2009 that its digital library had surpassed
6,000 texts. Beyond its virtual reference center,
Plataforma has also created a network of 30
research institutions across Latin America and a
young-leader program.
Calendar
Mark your calendar. AQ shares a list of some
of the most exciting arts events and policy
conferences in the hemisphere.
April 22–24
Lima, Peru
2nd Latin American Congress on Public Opinion: Public
Opinion, Democracy and Conflicts in Latin America
Pontificia universidad católica del Perú
www.waporlima.com
April 23–May 28
Manaus, Brazil
12th Annual Festival Amazonas de Ópera
governo do estado do amazonas
www.amazonasfestivalopera.com
May 12–August 1
New York, New York
Dias & Riedweg…and it becomes something else
americas society gallery
www.as-coa.org
May 21–22
Colima, Mexico
Forum on Multiculturalism and Ethnic Minorities in the
Americas
universidad de colima
www.ucol.mx/foromulticultura
Through May 25
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Fotografías
museo de arte latinoamericano de Buenos aires
www.malba.org.ar
May 26–June 8
Mexico City, Mexico
Foro Internacional de Música Nueva: Manuel Enríquez
instituto Nacional de Bellas artes
www.bellasartes.gob.mx/INBA/musicanueva/index.html
Through May 31
Quebec City, Canada
INGRES et les modernes
musée National des Beaux-arts du québec
www.mnba.qc.ca
June 9
São Paulo, Brazil
AS/COA 2009 Latin American Cities Conference
americas society and council of the americas
www.as-coa.org
June 11–14
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
LASA 2009 Conference: Rethinking Inequalities
latin american studies association
lasa.international.pitt.edu
spring 2009
americas quarterly 17
