EU-Latin America and the Caribbean Forum: Partners in Change
17 July 2023
The Latin America Working Group (LAWG) participated in the event organised by the European Commission, with the support of a Steering Group of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) titled “EU-Latin America and the Caribbean Forum: Partners in Change” in advance of the EU-CELAC Summit where EU leaders and leaders from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
The event was aimed to engage civil society in dialogue and deliberation together with representatives from international organisations from both regions. Due to the close collaboration established between the CG LAWG and EU-LAC, Prof Soledad Garcia Ferrari was invited to participate from a panel titled “Partnerships and Multi-Stakeholders’ Engagements: Democracy, Knowledge, Gender Equality and Just Transitions”, and the “EU-Latin America and the Caribbean Forum: Partners in Change.”
The panel showcased the results of the fora organised by EU-LAC over the past year and presented the recommendations and opportunities identified during the previous events. Prof Garcia Ferrari focused on the results from the Knowledge Forum, which took place in Montevideo last April. She stressed that “there is an opportunity to carve out distinctive development pathways, through education, research, innovation and policy development, and create fulfilling work that steer a sustainable and productive path for LAC. However, we need to shift economic, political and social frameworks.”
“A decolonial approach will be essential to challenge and transform unequal power dynamics, promote social justice, and respect the self-determination and agency of Latin American countries and communities”