By Erin Brownlee Dell
 One of the most important issues in Latin America and the Caribbean is the impact that economic investment, corruption, lack of equity, and high levels of poverty have upon environmental preservation. Conflicting forces usually have a negative impact on the environment, yet experience shows that a balance can be found. To help future environmental leaders address this critical issue, the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs provided funding for a LASPAU-organized seminar, Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The goal of the seminar was to provide participants with the theoretical framework to understand the many forces that affect sustainable development.
The 20 participants, representing 12 countries of the region, were current Fulbright grantees chosen for the seminar on the basis of their fields of study and professional experience. Otto T. Solbrig, Bussey Professor of Biology at Harvard University, led the seminar. Solbrig’s numerous publications include the recent book Globalization and the Rural Environment, a collection of papers on the impact of changes in agricultural technologies, activities, and products on the physical and social environment. The collection, published in 2001 by the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) at Harvard University, was edited by Solbrig, Robert Paarlberg, and Francesco di Castri. Each seminar participant was presented with a copy of the book.
Other seminar faculty included Robert Faris, a research associate at the Center for International Development at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government; Rocío Fernández Alés, a professor of ecology at the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain; and Juan Silva, a professor of ecology at the Universidad de Los Andes in Venezuela and a research fellow at the Center for International Development at the Kennedy School of Government.
The seminar began in May 2001 with a five-week online component. Facilitated by Otto Solbrig, the online component allowed participants to debate issues related to sustainable development as reflected in their assigned readings and their own experiences. This interaction culminated in a three-day onsite workshop held at DRCLAS on June 13–16. Faculty members led sessions that combined lectures, discussions, and case studies on current issues in the region. Participants commented on the value of interacting with their colleagues and the importance of exploring different viewpoints and approaches to the subject. Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean provided a strong foundation and ongoing network for these future leaders of environmental policy. Their joint efforts will contribute to the future of sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
If you are interested in further information about this or any of LASPAU's other seminars, workshops, or related services, please contact Angelica Natera, LASPAU's development and program specialist at angelica_natera@harvard.edu or 617- 495 -0488.
Fall 2001/Winter 2002 Informativo Content: Ecology Initiative | LASPAU and IIE Collaborate | Seminar Addresses Sustainable Development |
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