Podcasts about caribbean lac

Awareness of the benefits of digital transformation is increasing in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), as it is collaboration with international entities to drive projects forward. Year by year, this is laying down pathways for a more connected and inclusive digital government, with tangible benefits for the population and the economic area as a whole. Miguel Porrúa, Lead Specialist on Digital Government at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), sat down with us to share some valuable insight into the evolution of digital government across LAC. Picking up on the post-pandemic momentum is essential to keep the ball rolling in the region. But all development projects and new initiatives must be tailored to local, national needs, and the key topics in governments' focus across the area. 

For much of the past year, there's been a lot of talk about China's new leaner, more focused Belt and Road Initiative that goes by the mantra "Smart and Beautiful." The problem is very few people actually know what it looks like in practice. But that's starting to change, particularly in regions like Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) where two seemingly contradictory investment trends are taking place: overall Chinese FDI in the region is down but in key areas, so-called "new infrastructure," Chinese investments in LAC countries have been going up. Margaret Myers, director of the Asia and Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington co-authored a new report on China's evolving investment priorities in the Americas and joins Eric to discuss why Chinese FDI today looks very different than it even just a few years ago. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject| @stadenesque| @eric_olander | @myersmargaret Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth FOLLOW CAP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.akhbaralsin-africia.com | @AkhbarAlSinAfr JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CAP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CAP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

For much of the past year, there's been a lot of talk about China's new leaner, more focused Belt and Road Initiative that goes by the mantra "Smart and Beautiful." The problem is very few people actually know what it looks like in practice. But that's starting to change, particularly in regions like Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) where two seemingly contradictory investment trends are taking place: overall Chinese FDI in the region is down but in key areas, so-called "new infrastructure," Chinese investments in LAC countries have been going up. Margaret Myers, director of the Asia and Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington co-authored a new report on China's evolving investment priorities in the Americas and joins Eric to discuss why Chinese FDI today looks very different than it even just a few years ago. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject| @stadenesque| @eric_olander | @myersmargaret Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth FOLLOW CAP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.akhbaralsin-africia.com | @AkhbarAlSinAfr JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CAP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CAP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Marine Corps Maj Max Nauta discusses his Master's thesis from the US Army Command and General Staff College entitled: Multinational Operations in Strategic Competition: Leveraging the Inherent Informational Aspects through Culture and Narrative. Strategic competitors have significantly increased their influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in ways that jeopardize US influence and threaten democratic governance. The People's Republic of China (PRC) and Russia do this by exploiting the ambiguity of gray zone activities, such as predatory, opaque lending practices and the spreading of disinformation. US Forces, Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) builds resiliency against these gray zone activities through transparency, which it promotes through cooperation activities to strengthen partnerships and build trust in LAC. SOUTHCOM accomplished this, in part, through Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Southern Command (SPMAGTF-SC), whose mission was to conduct mutually beneficial engagements with partner nations (PN) to address shared challenges in the region. SPMAGTF-SC 15, 16, and 17 were US-only task forces. SPMAGTF-SC 18, however, became the first multinational task force. SPMAGTF-SC 19 grew on this by integrating ten PN officers from Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Belize, and the Dominican Republic. The author found that integrating PN officers into SPMAGTF-SC 18 and 19 exponentially strengthened partnerships in LAC at a relatively insignificant cost. This paper examines the degree to which integrating PN officers into SPMAGTF-SC 18 and 19 strengthened partnerships, and then compares those findings with theories on narrative and culture. In conclusion, the author presents the concept of a shared regional narrative and illuminates asymmetric characteristics of strategic competition in LAC. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #37 Bill Vivian on MCDP 1-4 Competing #89 Ajit Mann and Paul Cobaugh on Narrative #137 Vic Garcia and Mike Berger on Information Operations and Intelligence #151 Daniel Runde on Chinese Soft Power #148 Kalev Leetaru on GDELT Video Presentation: Multinational Operations in Strategic Competition: Leveraging the IIA through Culture and Narrative The Village by Bing West The Role of Information in U.S. Concepts for Strategic Competition. A RAND study by Chris Paul, Michael Schwille, Michael Vasseur, Elizabeth Bartels, and Ryan Bauer Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction by Tom Taulli Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio:  Major Maxwell Nauta grew up in Chester Country, Pennsylvania, graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, and commissioned in the United States Marine Corps on March 18, 2011.  After Officer Candidate School, he attended The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, and Light Armored Reconnaissance Leaders Course. In January 2012 he reported to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, MCAGCC, 29 Palms, CA, where he served as an LAR Platoon Commander from February 2012 to June 2013.  In April 2012 Maj Nauta deployed as the senior Infantry Marine to New Zealand for the six-week joint, multinational exercise, Exercise Alam Halfa.  From December 2012 to June 2013 he and his platoon independently deployed to Okinawa, Japan reporting to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion under the Unit Deployment Program.  In June, he and his LAR platoon deployed to the Republic of Korea to participate in Exercise Ssang Yong 13, forming a multination LAR platoon with Australian Cavalry Soldiers. Upon returning from Okinawa, Japan, Maj Nauta served as the Assistant Operations Officer for 3rd LAR Battalion until March 2014 when he augmented into the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR). In the SMCR, Maj Nauta first reported to Company C, 4th LAR Battalion, Salt Lake City, Utah serving as a Platoon Commander from March 2014 to March 2015.  He then transferred to Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 453 (CLB-453) in Aurora, Colorado, serving as the Headquarters Company Executive Officer until attending Supply Officers Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina in August 2015. In January 2016, Maj Nauta activated to serve as the Supply Officer for Special Purpose Marine-Air Ground Task Force – Southern Command (SPMAGTF-SC) 16, deploying to Honduras.  Upon re-deployment in January 2017 he served as the Current Operations Officer, CLB-453. In January 2018, Maj Nauta activated to serve as the Liaison Officer to the U.S. Embassy in Honduras for SPMAGTF-SC 18. In March 2019, he reactivated as the Key Leadership Engagement Coordinator for SPMAGTF-SC 19, deploying throughout the Southern Command area of responsibility.  In preparation for this final SPMAGTF-SC deployment he attended the Civil Affairs Officers Course in March 2019.  Upon completion of SPMAGTF-SC 19 in February, 2019, he transferred to U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa (MARFOREUR/AF) and activated as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) serving as a Logistics Planner, G-4 and the Prepositioning Officer, MARFOREUR/AF. In October, 2021, he deactivated and was hired by Valiant Integrated Services as a Program Analysit in support of Africa Future Operations, G-35, MARFOREUR/AF. Maj Nauta is participating in U.S. Army Command and General Staff College's Information Advantage Scholars Program and is expected to transfer to Marine Corps Information Operations Center upon graduation. Maj Nauta's awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars in lieu of fourth award.  His formal education includes Infantry Officer Course, Light Armored Reconnaissance Leaders Course, Supply Officer Course, and Civil Affairs Officer Course and Expeditionary Warfare School. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

On August 4th, General Laura J. Richardson, U.S. Army, 32nd Commander of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) sat down with Dr. Kathleen McInnis, Director of the CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative, and Kari Bingen, Director of the CSIS Aerospace Security Project for a discussion on her priorities within the SOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR), which includes parts of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Additionally, General Richardson discussed how SOUTHCOM is approaching challenges facing this strategic region, including the People's Republic of China's growing presence and influence; counternarcotics operations; maritime domain awareness; space; and more. 

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Katie Taylor, the Executive Director of the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF). In this podcast, Dan and Katie discuss PADF's impact over the last 60 years, and the ongoing challenges and progress that Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have seen over the past decades.

China's engagement and influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have grown with the expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative into the region. Increased American attention suggests changes in a complex triangular relationship. What is China's ambition in the region? What would LAC countries stand to gain from more robust partnerships with China? Will they feel pressure to choose between China and the United States? In a conversation moderated by Xiaoyu Pu on August 12, 2022, Álvaro Méndez and Margaret Myers discuss China's growing involvement in LAC and its implications for the United States. About the speakers: https://ncuscr.org/events/latin-america-china Follow Xiaoyu Pu on Twitter: @pu_xiaoyu Follow Margaret Myers on Twitter: @MyersMargaret Follow Álvaro Méndez on Twitter: @alvaroimendez Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The victory of Gustavo Petro in the recent Colombian presidential elections heralds a political change in Colombia. However, Colombia remains an important strategic partner for the U.S. in the hemisphere, and a new government does not change this fact. In this episode, Margarita R. Seminario sits down with Peter Natiello, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Together, Margarita and Peter unpack USAID's longstanding partnership with Colombia, and how the agency plans to work with the Petro's Administration. They also outline USAID's steadfast contribution to the peace process in Colombia and continued efforts to consolidate peace gains for all Colombians.

Jamielynn (Tinkey) Flores, B.S.N., R.N., who serves the Lord as a missionary in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, joins Sarah to talk about her journey to the mission field, the work she is currently doing in the Dominican Republic, meeting physical and spiritual needs on the mission field, and exciting things happening in Life Ministry in the LAC Region. Read her story and how to support her work at lcms.org/tinkey.

For several Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) countries, notably Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Guyana, the production of oil and gas is vital for their fiscal health. This dilemma has only been exacerbated by the economic challenges derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, countries in the region face growing pressure to de-carbonize their economies. To support LAC countries on the path towards net-zero objectives, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks – including the Inter-American Development Bank – are now de-emphasizing funding for fossil fuel-related projects. The Institute of the Americas hosts Jessica Bedoya, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer for the Inter-American Development Bank to address these issues, including the challenge of balancing energy transition and job growth with the realities of securing badly needed external financing to support economic recoveries. Series: "Climate Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37481]

For several Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) countries, notably Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Guyana, the production of oil and gas is vital for their fiscal health. This dilemma has only been exacerbated by the economic challenges derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, countries in the region face growing pressure to de-carbonize their economies. To support LAC countries on the path towards net-zero objectives, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks – including the Inter-American Development Bank – are now de-emphasizing funding for fossil fuel-related projects. The Institute of the Americas hosts Jessica Bedoya, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer for the Inter-American Development Bank to address these issues, including the challenge of balancing energy transition and job growth with the realities of securing badly needed external financing to support economic recoveries. Series: "Climate Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37481]

For several Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) countries, notably Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Guyana, the production of oil and gas is vital for their fiscal health. This dilemma has only been exacerbated by the economic challenges derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, countries in the region face growing pressure to de-carbonize their economies. To support LAC countries on the path towards net-zero objectives, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks – including the Inter-American Development Bank – are now de-emphasizing funding for fossil fuel-related projects. The Institute of the Americas hosts Jessica Bedoya, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer for the Inter-American Development Bank to address these issues, including the challenge of balancing energy transition and job growth with the realities of securing badly needed external financing to support economic recoveries. Series: "Climate Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37481]

For several Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) countries, notably Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Guyana, the production of oil and gas is vital for their fiscal health. This dilemma has only been exacerbated by the economic challenges derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, countries in the region face growing pressure to de-carbonize their economies. To support LAC countries on the path towards net-zero objectives, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks – including the Inter-American Development Bank – are now de-emphasizing funding for fossil fuel-related projects. The Institute of the Americas hosts Jessica Bedoya, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer for the Inter-American Development Bank to address these issues, including the challenge of balancing energy transition and job growth with the realities of securing badly needed external financing to support economic recoveries. Series: "Climate Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37481]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

Rev. Ted Krey — Regional Director for the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region of the LCMS, and Deaconess Cheryl Naumann — Director of the VDMA Project and Coordinator of the Dominican Republic Mercy Center, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the translation work being done through the VDMA Project in Spanish-speaking regions, how these resources are distributed, why these Spanish resources are so important for the Lutheran churches in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the upcoming releases including the new Spanish Hymnal Hymnario Luterano. Follow the LAC region on Facebook at facebook.com/LCMSLAC and learn more about the VDMA Project at international.lcms.org/vdma-project.

After chatting with folks from EvalYouth about the Global Mentoring Program, they suggested a series of podcast episodes on what evaluation looks like around the world. This episode is one in which I chat with evaluators from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) about what evaluation looks like in their region. I chat with Claudia Olavarría and Gerardo Sánchez-Romero about evaluation in the LAC region. They are the co-chairs of EvalYouth LAC (https://evalyouth.org/index.php/evalyouth-in-lac/), which you can contact via Twitter (https://twitter.com/evalyouth_lac), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvalYouthLAC/), or email via evalyouthlac@gmail.com. We discuss a variety of topics, including how they define evaluation, stakeholder involvement, the governmental contexts they work in (e.g., CONEVAL (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_for_the_Evaluation_of_Social_Development_Policy_(CONEVAL)), Mideplan (https://www.mideplan.go.cr/)), the purpose of doing evaluation, evaluation designs, evaluation standards (Estándares de Evaluación para América Latina y el Caribe (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308143662_Estandares_de_Evaluacion_para_America_Latina_y_el_Caribe)), Evaluación Participativa (https://evalparticipativa.net/), training and education in evaluation, professionalization, Eval4Action (https://www.eval4action.org/), the SDG 2030 Agenda (https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda), Evaluation without Borders, Blue Marble evaluation, and more. Special Guests: Claudia Olavarría and Gerardo Sánchez.

The circular economy has gained a great deal of momentum in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region, with many national and city governments developing and scaling policies, strategies, and roadmaps. As a response, eight institutions have launched the LAC Circular Economy Coalition, aiming to support countries and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration. In this episode, we have compiled the best moments of our discussion panel on the subject that was streamed live on our channels on 16th February. We discuss the coalition with representatives from three of the strategic partners, Adriana Zacarias Farah from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Rose Mwebaza from the United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), Luisa Santiago, Latin America Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and Rolando Castro, Vice Minister from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) of Costa Rica. Find out more about the coalition here: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/news/lac-circular-economy-coalition-launchesMore episodes of The Circular Economy Show here: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/our-work/activities/the-circular-economy-showMore about our work here: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/

Virtual Event - Food and Agricultural Trade in the New Policy Environment: How Can WTO Members Support Economic Recovery and Resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean? Co-Organized by IFPRI, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) The coronavirus outbreak has affected trade in food and farm goods, imperiling efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition and adding to pressure already on the farm sector from climate change. The pandemic-induced postponement of the WTO’s next ministerial conference and ongoing tensions among major economies have affected both the substance and process of updating the global trade rulebook. As governments revisit priorities in this new context, they should engage with various constituencies in their region and beyond to build an inclusive public policy vision – one that can contribute to economic recovery and improve resilience to future food system shocks. Although the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have seen a major impact from the pandemic, agricultural production and trade have been less affected. Food trade plays an essential role in mitigating potential consumption disruptions and/or losses in export capacities for this heterogeneous region. Some LAC countries are food net importers, others are food net exporters, some produce high value-added crops, and others produce staples. Investing in infrastructure, promoting regional integration, ensuring a stable multilateral trade system, and opening new market opportunities will be key for the region’s economic recovery. This will be the second in a series of events on the same topic, with a regional perspective. The events focus on Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Panelists Flavio Bettarello, Deputy Secretary for Trade and International Relations, Brazil Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA) Eugenio Diaz Bonilla, Head of Latin America and the Caribbean Program, IFPRI Manuel Otero, Director General, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Gloria Abraham Peralta, Costa Rica’s Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva and Chair of the negotiations on Agriculture; Member of the IICA Advisory Council for Food Security in the Americas Bosco de la Vega, President, National Agricultural Council of México (CNA) Moderator Valeria Piñeiro, Senior Research Coordinator, IFPRI LINKS: Book: COVID-19 And Global Food Security: http://bit.ly/IFPRICovidBook Websites: Food And Agricultural Trade In The New Policy Environment: How Can WTO Members Support Economic Recovery And Resilience?: https://www.ifpri.org/spotlight/food-and-agricultural-trade-new-policy-environment-how-can-wto-members-support-economic IFPRI Resources And Analyses Of COVID-19 Impact: https://www.ifpri.org/covid-19 International Institute For Sustainable Development (IISD): https://www.iisd.org/ Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA): https://www.iica.int/en More on the seminar: https://www.ifpri.org/event/virtual-event-food-and-agricultural-trade-new-policy-environment-how-can-wto-members-support Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

Rev. Charles St-Onge, who serves as regional area facilitator for the Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) region for the LCMS from his home base in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how the LAC region has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, how the missionaries in this region are continuing their work, and how his own work at home in Quebec has been affected. Learn more about Rev. St-Onge and his family and how to support their work at lcms.org/stonge. Find LCMS resources during the COVID-19 pandemic at lcms.org/coronavirus.

SPECIAL EDITION: Since this special edition of "Inside the Circles" revolves around the dual manager relationship, we thought it would make perfect sense to chat with two execs who are no stranger to the above - especially during this time of objective setting. Recorded inside Mastercard's Storylab, guest host Chris Meyrick, executive vice president, Human Resources, International Markets chats with Jennifer Rademaker, executive vice president,  Global Customer Delivery and Carlo Enrico, president, Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. So why are dual reporting lines so vital? Carlo sums it up nicely. "We are a global company because we are in a global business. We have a global brand. We have global products and solutions and we need to have a global organization to run our global strategy," he says. "At the same time, however, we need to serve local needs and cooperation across business lines is the name of the game. The dual management infrastructure is definitely a key tool."    Grab some java because Jennifer and Carlo bring us some fabulous insight and will surely spark inspiration for your own objective setting. It's a must-listen...

The EU-LAC Economic Forum was established in 2016 as a high level gathering for in-depth research-based exchanges on economic issues between European, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) policy makers and experts. This year’s edition featured three public sessions addressing strategic topics such as the future of regional integration, the 5G challenge and the EU-LAC collaboration, and the impact of the Global Compact for Migration on EU-LAC relations.

The EU-LAC Economic Forum was established in 2016 as a high level gathering for in-depth research-based exchanges on economic issues between European, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) policy makers and experts. This year’s edition featured three public sessions addressing strategic topics such as the future of regional integration, the 5G challenge and the EU-LAC collaboration, and the impact of the Global Compact for Migration on EU-LAC relations.

The EU-LAC Economic Forum was established in 2016 as a high level gathering for in-depth research-based exchanges on economic issues between European, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) policy makers and experts. This year’s edition featured three public sessions addressing strategic topics such as the future of regional integration, the 5G challenge and the EU-LAC collaboration, and the impact of the Global Compact for Migration on EU-LAC relations.

The EU-LAC Economic Forum was established in 2016 as a high level gathering for in-depth research-based exchanges on economic issues between European, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) policy makers and experts. This year’s edition featured three public sessions addressing strategic topics such as the future of regional integration, the 5G challenge and the EU-LAC collaboration, and the impact of the Global Compact for Migration on EU-LAC relations.

At first glance, China's engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) looks a lot like what it's doing in Africa. Just as China surpassed Europe as Africa's largest trading partner, China has similarly overtaken the U.S. as LAC's largest export market. While China's trade with Africa dipped significantly from 2014 through 2017, it's a different story in the Americas where trade has steadily increased from $140 billion in 2008 to now more than $260 billion -- significantly more than the $204.5 billion in trade that China did with Africa last year. Just as in Africa, the bulk of China's trade with the Americas is commodities, mostly soybeans, metal ores and oil. And just as regional leaders in the Americas are concerned about the growing trade imbalance with China, they're also eager to borrow ever larger amounts of money from Beijing to finance new infrastructure. Worries about the proverbial "debt trap" are just as pronounced in LAC as they are in Africa. So, while there are a lot of parralels between China's engagement in Africa and the Americas, there are also some stark differences. Fudan University doctoral candidate Santiago Bustelo is an expert in Sino-South American relations and also specializes in China's relations with Brazil. He joins Eric & Cobus to discuss his research in this field and what China's increasingly important economic ties with the Americas means for Africa. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject Twitter: @eolander | @stadenesque Email: eric@chinaafricaproject.com | cobus@chinaafricaproject.com   Sign up here if you would like to join our weekly email newsletter mailing list for a carefully curated selection of the week's top China-Africa news.

This issue of CTBTO Spectrum focuses on the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) geographical region and the CTBT. It is the first issue in a series which will be covering all six Treaty-defined regions. The LAC region has always played an important role in contributing towards ensuring the entry into force and universality of the CTBT. When the Treaty opened for signature in 1996, 21 LAC States signed it. In the meantime, the number of signatures has increased to 27, with 20 LAC countries having also ratified the CTBT as of 6 December 2004.