São Paulo – A cycle of lectures and courses on Latin American foreign policies to the Middle East started in Lebanon this week. The cycle is promoted by the Centre for Latin American Studies and Cultures, of the Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (Cecal-Usek), along with the Usek’s Superior Institute of Political and Administrative Sciences and the Students Department. The debates, which will be held at the Usek, will continue until May, according to the director of the Cecal, Roberto Khatlab.
The first lecture was given last Thursday (17th) by the Brazilian ambassador to Lebanon, Paulo Roberto da Fontoura, to professors, students, diplomats and the general public. The diplomat screened a short film presenting a political, economic and social overview of Brazil, and then discussed Brazilian foreign policy and the development of the country’s relations with the Middle East, with an emphasis in Lebanon.
"We are connected to the Arab countries through our Brazilian roots in the Iberian Peninsula, which was strongly influenced by Arab presence, and through ordinary immigration from the region, most of all from Lebanon. The capacity of Arab immigrants to adapt to the country that welcomed them was reciprocated with a strong capacity, on the part of the Brazilian people, to soak up their habits and values," said the ambassador.
The lecture was attended by people such as the Usek secretary general, Michel Abou Tacca, the Brazilian consul general to Lebanon, Renato Menezes, the Brazilian vice-consul to Lebanon, Saulo Carvalho, the director of the Usek Political Sciences, Georges Yahchouchy, the dean of the Usek School of Philosophy and Human Sciences, professor Hoda Nehme, and Khatlab himself, among others.
The cycle was an initiative of the Cecal director, who contacted ambassadors of Latin American countries in Lebanon (Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, Mexico, Uruguay and Chile) and invited them to give the lectures. They are geared towards Political Science, Journalism and Law students. Attendance of Usek students in these fields is compulsory and worth credits, according to Khatlab. However, students from other institutions and the general public may also attend.
"The aim is to attract students’ attentions to the issue of Latin America, for a better understanding of 21st century political issues and the development of Latin American countries. Generally, Latin America is studied superficially at universities in the region, and the Cecal intends to strengthen friendship ties between Lebanon and Latin American countries through knowledge in all fields," says Khatlab.
Lectures will take place every Thursday from March 17th until May 19th. On March 24th the theme will be Paraguay, on March 31st Cuba, on April 7th Argentina, on April 14th Mexico and on April 28th, Venezuela. On May 5th, the subject will be Uruguay, on May 12th Chile, and on May 19th, Colombia.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
