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UK School Holds Conference on Latin America

A professional school at the University of Kentucky recently held an academic conference on America’s neighbors in the Western Hemisphere.     

UK’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce invited a variety of individuals to discuss Latin America at Lexington’s Griffin Gate Marriott Monday.   The group ranged from UK professors to government officials and foreign diplomats.  In panel discussions, they talked about the region’s geopolitics and challenges.  One speaker was retired American Ambassador James Derham (Charge' d'affaires, Caracas 2011-13; AMB Guatamala 2005-08).  He siad the US should increase its political engagement with Central and South American nations, particularly on cross-border issues like migration.  

"It’s very hard to put together the whole package, but the problem is, unless we do something, we’re gonna get things like these unintended consequences where all of a sudden one day, 30,000 kids are showing up from Central America on the border," he said.  

Additional topics included economic development, internal and external security, and transnational bodies such as the Organization of American States.  Some speakers indicated certain issues, such as the drug trade, would be quite a challenge to tackle.  Others, such as Peruvian Ambassador Harold Forsyth, were optimistic about Latin America’s ability to deal with them.

“Latin America has always been a complicated region.  Believe me, I’m part of it.  But at the same time, it’s a magnificent region with a tremendous presence, and of course with tremendous potential," he said. 

UK’s Patterson School is a master level professional program focusing on diplomacy, commerce, and world affairs. More information is available at its website.

Chase Cavanaugh first got on the air as a volunteer reader for Central Kentucky Radio Eye, a local news service for the visually impaired. He began reporting for WUKY in February 2012, after receiving his Master’s degree from the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce.