ONLINE EVENT: Democracy in a Post-Pandemic Latin America

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated challenges to democracy in Latin America. Even before the public health crisis, surveys showed Latin Americans losing faith in democracy amidst unmet expectations, corruption scandals, and growing polarization driven in part by online disinformation. Now, some political figures have used the pandemic to further divide society or exploit fragile checks and balances to concentrate power and erode civil liberties. With the region’s economic recovery from the pandemic likely to be prolonged, renewed social protest, political turbulence, and democratic instability are possible.

What are the prospects for democratic governance in Latin America? How will democratic institutions handle the economic and social stress from the pandemic? What can citizens and leaders do to safeguard democracy and what opportunities exist to strengthen the region’s democratic culture and infrastructure? 

To answer these questions and more, the Dialogue is pleased to partner with Luminate to host “Democracy in a Post-Pandemic Latin America.” The discussion will include a presentation of new public opinion research by Luminate on shifting perceptions on democracy during the pandemic. 

Follow this event on Twitter at #DemocracyLatAm, @The_Dialogue and @luminategroup. We invite participants to submit questions using the Q&A function in Zoom, the event hashtag on Twitter OR to email questions to meetings@thedialogue.org.  

Please note that this event will be held in English. Simultaneous translation in Spanish is available for those who join the event online through the RSVP. 

Speakers:

Arturo Valenzuela

Emeritus Professor of Government and International Relations, Georgetown University

Ilona Szabó

Co-Founder and President, Igarapé Institute (@IlonaSzaboC)

Felipe Estefan

Latin America Director and Head of the DC Office, Luminate (@FelipeEstefan)

Laura Zommer

Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief, Chequeado (@lauzommer)

Moderator:

Michael Camilleri

Director, Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program, Inter-American Dialogue (@camillerimj)

EVENT PARTNER 

This event is hosted in partnership with Luminate a global philanthropic organization focused on empowering people and institutions to work together to build just and fair societies. In Latin America, Luminate supports courageous organizations and leaders defending democracy, promoting civic engagement, protecting digital rights and expanding press freedom.