The UN Visits Fordham

Yesterday, September 21st, José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OSA), gave a lecture in Duane Library's Tognino Hall entitled "The Danger for Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean." Personally, I thought the lecture was incredibly insightful. Though a political science major, my area of interest is in American politics, so I learned about the current political trends happening in the Latin American and Caribbean regions. Since democracy is such a vital part of the American political system, I found it exciting to hear about the increasing number of legitimate democratic elections in Latin America. I also learned about how Latin America and the Caribbean is faring given the current global economic situation, which seems to be affecting so many nations in a variety of ways. Sec. Insulza himself is a fascinating political figure; he was at one time an exile from his home country, Chile, but later was allowed back. After holding various titles in the Chilean government, he began a career at New York's United Nations, eventually rising to his current post as the ninth Secretary General of the Organization of American States.

There is no shortage of guest speakers at Fordham. Last year, I went to a lecture given by Dr. Amy Hollywood, a professor from the Harvard Divinity School, and I unfortunately had to miss one given by Dr. Michael Sulick, Director of the National Clandestine Service (an arm of the CIA). I am always getting e-mails and seeing fliers around campus for various lectures, some of which are even given by Fordham's own faculty, so it's hard to not know when an important speaker will be at Rose Hill (or Lincoln Center). I really enjoy going to these events because it's a way of getting that New York multi-cultural and educational experience without having to leave campus.

Sec. Insulza's lecture was sponsored by the Fordham's Latin American and Latino Studies department.