Europe Meets Latin America: A Forum for Young Leaders:"Emphasizing Commonalities or Differences: New Perspectives on European-Latin American Relations" (Berlin, 12th – 17th September 2010) September 11, 2010

The strong cultural and historical links between Europe and Latin America play an important role in determining the nature of contemporary relations between the two regions, and between individual countries within the regions. Recently, however, scholars and key stakeholders have emphasised the importance of treating the two regions as distinct entities, and highlighting the differences between the two. Doing so, it is argued, allows for a more pragmatic, forward thinking approach to foreign policies and regional agreements. In addition to looking at this history and development of cultural diplomacy and its application in bi-regional relations, the forthcoming EMLA Weeklong Seminar will consider these two approaches and the extent to which they might offer different perspectives on the future of European-Latin American relations.
The seminar is open to applications from academics, diplomatic and political representatives, civil society practitioners, journalists, young professionals and students and other individuals with an interest in European Latin American relations, cultural studies, and global politics.

Confirmed speakers for the Forum include:
Prof. Manfred Nitsch- Professor of LateinAmerika Institute in FU Berlin
Prof. Uli Brückner- EU Jean Monnet Professor at Stanford
Prof. Michaela Balke- member of Oikocredit
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Panamá

To get further information on or apply to the program, please visit: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/youngleadersforums/index.php?en_forums_emla_about