St Petersburg University holds the 5th International Forum ‘Russia and Ibero-America in a Globalizing World: History and Modernity’

At present, the Forum under the auspice of St Petersburg University and the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences is an expert and discussion platform to define the trends of the development in the Ibero-American world and the prospects of Russian-Latin American cooperation. The organisers provide the opportunity for critical reflection and dialogue for a better understanding of the socio-political, economic, and cultural realities of Latin America in today's multipolar world.

Since St Petersburg hosts the Forum with the participation of well-known politicians, academics, and journalists from Ibero-American countries and Russia confirms the status of St Petersburg University as one of the leading centres of Ibero-American studies in Russia. The Forum expects to host representatives from over 20 countries, including: Russia, Bolivia, Sweden, Chile, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, and the USA.

The 5^th International Forum ‘Russia and Ibero-America in a Globalizing World: History and Modernity’ continues the traditions of the conferences and forums on Latin America research carried out by St Petersburg University, the Institute of Latin American Studies, and the Bering-Bellingshausen Institute for the Americas under the aegis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. The overarching issues of the Forum will be: mechanisms of the new world order formation; the evolution of the international system of relationships; and the place of Latin America in today’s global processes.

Among the events organised within the framework of the Forum are: exhibitions; roundtable discussions; thematic sections on the history, culture, economics, and politics of the Ibero- American countries; presentations of academic publications; and public lectures by leading scholars, politicians, and diplomats.

Among its participants, the Forum expects:

• Viktor Kheifets, Director of the Ibero-American Studies Centre at St Petersburg University, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences;
• Gioconda Herrera, President of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA);
• Jorge Richter Ramírez, Press Secretary, Presidential Administration of Bolivia;
• Sergey Brilev, member of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy of the Russian Federation and 'Russia' TV Channel Deputy Director;
• Arlene Tickner, President of the Latin America and the Caribbean Division of the International Studies Association (ISA), Professor, University of Rosario;
• Maria Clara Medina, President of the European Council for Social Research in Latin America (CEISAL), Professor, University of Gothenburg.

The organisers are pointing out that the Forum coincides with the 30^th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union. The latter has dramatically changed the system of international relations and the parity of forces in Latin America. Therefore, the Forum aims to manifest the improving relationships between Moscow and Ibero-American countries. It will also assess the impact the collapse of the USSR produced on the Ibero-American region and discuss the ways to restore Russia’s presence in the continent.  

Moreover, 2021 marks the 200^th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Guatemala from Spain.

The anniversary of Simon Bolivar's successful struggle for the independence of Latin America will become the occasion for a discussion in modern postcolonial studies. These will include: the place of ‘Bolivarianism’ in today's Latin America; and the place and role of Spain for Latin America in the middle of the 21^st century.

Also, in 2021, 150 years have passed since the First International was established, which influenced the development of the world labour movement.

Regarding this, the potential of the contemporary Latin American left movement and its place in political processes will be one of the central topics of the Forum. 

For programme details, please, click here (information is subject to changes).