María Rosa Olivera
Declaração
Democracy is in crisis in the United States and throughout the continent. There is high polarization, low trust, and toxic public discourse. At a time when many universities are reevaluating their role in American democracy and people around the world are concerned about their freedoms, LASA is well-positioned to address this crisis. The themes of two recent conferences, “LASA2025: Poner el Cuerpo en América Latinx” and “LASA2026: Republic and Revolution,” demonstrate how our association fosters dialogue between the Global North and Global South and actions aimed at preserving democracy. We are a model for the development of citizens and public officials dedicated to civil society, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. Democracy requires that all people be legally recognized and that their voices, bodies, and beliefs be respected. It demands what Guillermo O'Donnell, quoted by LASA President Maxwell A. Cameron, called “citizens' democracies,” with a shared respect for freedom, human rights, social justice, and the possibility of a human life in harmony with nature, which is another endangered organism that demands our respect to survive.
I firmly believe that crises are opportunities that allow us to reflect on everything. In this case, what democracy really means in the 21st century, especially in Latin America/Abya Yala and its long struggles for decolonization. It pushes us to work together and erase disciplinary lines; to listen to others, as philosopher Martha Nussbaum demanded in her call for “cultural humility,” and, in particular, to the needs of younger generations facing the uncertainty of academic employment and all those who are labeled as “different.”
Through its multiple sections, LASA builds bridges between research, education, activism, and political work. It provides a platform where scholars, artists, activists, and policymakers can collaborate to address pressing issues and envision a robust future for Latin American studies.
If elected to the Executive Council, I will support all initiatives that promote Latin American studies to improve the continent, as I have done in my various roles within the association. Latin American studies have expanded beyond Latin America, the United States, and Europe to reach China, Japan, and India. It is important to support this new avenue of research. Nevertheless, it is crucial to continue bringing LASA to Latin America. We must also continue and strengthen our support for younger scholars and create opportunities for them, as LASA PRESS does with its "New Research" series. Finally, I will work hard to support the needs of the LASA secretariat and its members. While we all want to celebrate another 60 years of LASA, institutional needs sometimes seem to clash with the needs of its diverse members. I will always be available to answer questions, highlight the work of LASA secretariat members and academic bodies, and serve as a liaison to address membership needs.