Student Projects
The Latin American Peace and Conflict Resolution Network (LAPCOR) was founded in May 1999 during the Advanced International Programme on Peace and Conflict Research, offered by the Department of Peace and Conflict Resolution of Uppsala University, under the auspices of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The network was founded by the Latin American researchers who participated in the program: Luis Mesa del Monte, Soraya Castro, Catalina Rojas, Rodrigo Uprymni, and Ana Julia Bozo de Carmona.
The researchers created the network to be an academic structure to foster research on peace and conflict resolution both within and between Latin American and Caribbean countries. These countries are often subject to widespread democratic crisis, the failure of political institutions, economic recession, and territorial divisions. The formation of this international network for research on peace and conflict resolution constitutes a political resource of strategic importance for the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
From the academic point of view, the formation of the network offers many advantages for enriching exchanges and creates opportunities for partnership with other international organizations. From the governmental point of view, the network offers public institutions analytical tools and strategies through which to create more competent, democratic, and responsive governance, which will strengthen the political and constitutional transitions in Latin America.
LAPCOR’s main objectives are as follows:
To foster research of concepts, strategies, and dynamics related to the prevention and/or resolution of intra- or inter-state conflicts in the Caribbean and Latin America
To research and analyze various topics related to peace and conflict resolution
To organize scientific events in Latin America and the Caribbean
To produce annual publications of the findings of the research projects
To participate, as researchers and affiliated institutions, in training programs and in relevant postgraduate courses at affiliate institutions
To advise public and private organizations in the development of conflict resolution initiatives, training, and workshops
To offer mediation and facilitation services
Members of the network carry out research and training projects in their respective institutions and universities. It is hoped that each project will produce at least one publication annually.
LAPCOR’S goals include consolidating panels and research proposals for ISA and Latin American Studies Association academic gatherings; publicizing the network to attract future research affiliates; cooperating with other academic, social, and research institutions working in related areas; and offering training to groups in each country in areas such as basic conflict resolution skills and third-party processes (e.g., mediation, negotiation, and facilitation).
Members of the network are establishing a fact-finding mission to identify organizations in Europe, the United States, and Latin America that might be interested in funding network projects. Possible sources of funding include the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the McArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Andean Development Corporation, the Organization of American States, the Latin American Council for the Social Sciences, and the Stanley Foundation.
For more information about LAPCOR, contact Ana Julia Bozo de Carmona at [email protected] or [email protected], or Catalina Rojas at [email protected] or [email protected].