Antonio Sérgio Guimarães

Statement

I joined LASA many years ago. In fact, I have always privileged LASA as my space for international dialogue because of its characteristics: multidisciplinarity, diversity of viewpoints and theoretical approaches, academic alignment and concentration on Latin American studies. Over the years we have created a well-known academic community bringing together the social sciences and the humanities. I have served as editor for the LASA Forum for a short time and I remain willing to assist the Association administratively, now as a member of its Executive Committee. My view of LASA is not far from those who came before me: to strive for the academic excellence of Latin American research, but at the same time to open up to new forms of knowledge, new theoretical perspectives and to incorporate new colleagues from sub-represented strata in the academic institutions of our countries, coming from indigenous peoples, racialized populations, popular classes and workers. To maintain LASA as a mentor of a solid and rigorous academic community in the production of knowledge, but also open, socially and politically, and without epistemological prejudice or dogma, which brings together men and women from the social and human sciences around the world interested in studying Latin America. LASA must also continue to ensure the participation of younger researchers, while continuing to attract established scholars. We shall continue to make our Association one of the entry points for each of our countries, a multilingual space, a place where we build lasting relationships based on respect and scientific knowledge.