The world is currently experiencing multiple crises marked among others by the growing threats of war, inflation, economic crises and the broadening of inequalities, environmental disasters, the rise of the extreme right and authoritarianism as well as migratory dynamics. All of these phenomena have culminated in such a way as to constitute turning points for humanity as a whole.
This congress, organized by CALAS (Centro Maria Sibylla Merian de Estudios Latinoamericanas Avanzados) and funded by the German Federal Minstry of Education and Research, has a double purpose; on the one hand, to present and discuss significant results of eight years of research carried out with and in Latin America on phenomena that have a global dimension, but that are presented in the region in a genuine and particular way. In the doing, the aim is to connect Latin American debates with analyses produced in Germany and Europe, creating opportunities for interregional and interdisciplinary dialogue and the search for and discussion of possible solutions. On the other hand, the purpose is to open up new fields to study crises and generate new social, cultural and political proposals. This arises from a need that goes beyond analyzing the processes of these critical junctures, but rather seeks to broaden the horizon towards new visions, imaginaries, utopias and perspectives as a result of the strategies to confront the multiple crises.
To discuss these questions, CALAS brings together more than 50 international experts in Latin American studies in this congress. Jonas Wolff will contribute to the panel “Political Radicalization and Polarization in Latin America” with a keynote on the topic “Polarization and fragmentation: Configurations, dynamics and consequences for democracy in Latin America”.
When: February 10-12, 2025
Where: University of Kassel, Science Park, Universitätsplatz 12, 34127 Kassel
The conference will be held in Spanish. A registration is required. Further information and a link for registration can be found on the CALAS website.