Latin American Forum
Lancelot Cowie Ph. D.
Lancelot Cowie is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica. He is Founder and Director of the Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean (CENLAC) at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago (2003-2016). He lectured for 30 years in Spanish and Latin American studies at the same University. His articles and books encompass social and cultural Latin American topics giving prominence to a comparative perspective of the Greater Caribbean region. Generally, his research covers artistic expressions (Carnival, Calypso and the Arts) as integrating elements in the region. His writings focus on guerrilla movements in Argentina, México, Venezuela, Perú and Bolivia, petroleum issues in Venezuela and its social impact, migration to/from Latin America and West Indian diaspora among other themes. He has been a keynote speaker in international conferences in Asia and Europe as well as in several Latin American Universities including México, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Argentina, Panamá, Perú, among others. Moreover, this scholar has been visiting professor at the University of Oxford, University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain, El Colegio de México, La Universidad Autónoma de México and the University of Warsaw, Poland. He was also Consultant and Project Director at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) at the Port of Spain Branch. From 2016 to 2021 Dr. Cowie served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Havana, Cuba.
Dr. Cowie has been appointed Honorary Professor attached to the Latin American Studies Programme at the Institute of International Relations, UWI, St. Augustine.
The IIR Latin American Forum
On Thursday 27th April, 2023, the Institute of International Relations (IIR) of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus launched a Latin American forum. This initiative is a follow up to earlier activities of the Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean (CENLAC) between 2003-2016. The present lecture series in Spanish will consist of participation from the resident Latin American ambassadors in Trinidad and Tobago. Also involved will be presentations from academic staff, post-graduate students and members from the business community. The presentations will cover relevant historical, political, economic and social issues in the wider Latin American and Caribbean context.
The forum was opened and chaired by Dr. Annita Montoute, Interim Director of the Institute of International Relations. The project was presented by Professor Lancelot Cowie, former Trinidad and Tobago ambassador to Cuba and recently installed Honorary Professor of Latin American studies. A wide cross selection of society attended the inaugural session.
Ambassadors from Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil, as well as diplomats from Panama, Chile, Argentina and the Dominican Republic were present
The IIR is poised to be the pivotal centre for all Latin American cultural, social and political and international relations matters emanating from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus.
The Ambassador of Mexico to Trinidad and Tobago, H.E. Víctor Hugo Morales Meléndez presented the inaugural lecture entitled: Francisco Villa, Vida y hazañas de una leyenda, on Thursday 18th May, 2023 at 2:30 pm in the Institute of International Relations, UWI.
The second presentation entitled: Obra Magistral de José María Arguedas, was delivered by H.E. Mr. David Málaga, Ambassador of Peru to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Álvaro Enrique Sánchez Cordero will continue the lecture series in September.
Programmes:
Photo taken on June 15, 2023 Latin American Forum: from left to right: (Embassy of Mexico) Charge d’affaires Victor Valtierra Pérez, (Honorary Professor) Lancelot Cowie, (Embassy of Panama) H.E Silvia E. Miller Palmer, (Embassy of Peru) H.E. David Málaga, (Embassy of Cuba) H.E. Tania Diego Olite, (Embassy of Argentina) H.E. Marcelo Suárez Salvia, (Embassy of Venezuela) H.E. Álvaro Sánchez Cordero
Photo from left to right: (Embassy of Mexico) Charge d’affaires Victor Valtierra Pérez, (Honorary Professor) Lancelot Cowie, (Embassy of Panama) H.E Silvia E. Miller Palmer, (Embassy of Peru) H.E. David Málaga, (Embassy of Cuba) H.E. Tania Diego Olite, (Embassy of Argentina) H.E. Marcelo Suárez Salvia, (Embassy of Venezuela) H.E. Álvaro Sánchez Cordero
Photo from left to right we have the ambassadors from Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico and Prof. Cowie.
Photo the Venezuelan Ambassador giving a present to Prof. Cowie as coordinator of the Latin American program at the IIR. The present is a poster of Simon Bolivar, the Heroe of Independence of Venezuela
YouTube Recording:
