University political science professor Dan Goldrich is a longtime activist with the Committee in Solidarity with the Central American People (CISCAP) and has been involved with human rights protests and efforts to make changes in national policies regarding Latin America. Tonight, Goldrich will speak on U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America.
His presentation will focus on U.S. policy after the Cold War and the new phenomenon of militarized democracies in Latin America — a form that combines electoral democracy and control of economic policy. He will also speak about current efforts in the United States and Latin America to change economic policies.
“These changes have very high social and environmental costs,” Goldrich said.
He will discuss how world economic organizations relate to foreign policies. These organizations include the North American Free Trade Agreement, the World Trade Organization, and the Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional in Chiapas, Mexico, an army that has rebelled against the Mexican government to improve human rights.
The professor will also briefly mention the School of the Americas, a training center for Latin American soldiers that activists nationwide have criticized widely, and how the school “reflects the U.S. policy of training the Latin American military for repression.”
Goldrich said he will emphasize social issues in countries such as Colombia and Mexico.
“Colombia has the worst human rights case in the Americas,” he said.
According to Goldrich, his speech comes at a good time because of people’s growing interest in strengthening democracy and supporting the environment in “the face of globalization.”
He added that the anti-sweatshop protest last April was a great indicator that students are especially interested in globalization issues.
“There’s been a lot of interest in this campus on the negative impact of globalization and fairness in society,” he said.
Goldrich’s presentation was organized by the Colombia Support Network and the CISCAP.
Takeshi Sengiku, a recent University graduate and member of CSN, said the event will attempt to show people associations between the two countries that aren’t always recognized.
“Some people think of Latin American issues as isolated issues,” he said. “Hopefully this speech will give them a chance to make connections between Latin America and the U.S.”
CISCAP coordinator Scott Mikseh said Goldrich’s background as a “passionate” activist and teacher has given the professor a well-rounded perspective to share.
“Dan Goldrich brings a holistic view of problems in foreign policies, and how we can bring about change,” he said. “He has both an activist and academic stand on foreign policy.”
Goldrich will speak at 7:30 p.m. in Room 229 of Grayson Hall.
Speaker will address foreign policy
Daily Emerald
November 20, 2000
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