First in three-part series to discuss America’s policy toward Latin America

WHAT: This is the first event in a three-part series broadly examining the current state of American democracy. The event will include a screening of The War on Democracy, a film by award winning journalist and author John Pilger. Panelists will consider what the recent election says about trends in participatory democracy in the U.S. and whether a shift is underway from the right to the center. In particular, panelists will consider the implications of the President Obama’s election for U.S. policy towards Latin America. Future panels will include discussion on the law, the media, human rights, labor and trade relations.

WHO: Panelists will include Ronald Cox, associate professor of political science and international relations; Jose Gabilondo, associate professor of law and associate dean for academic affairs; Bruce Nissen, director of research at the FIU Center for Labor Research and Studies; Richard Tardanico, associate professor of global and sociocultural studies; and James Tracy, associate professor of media studies. 

WHEN: Friday March 13, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. 

WHERE: Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall, Room 1000, FIU College of Law, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199. The event is free and open to the public. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Jose Gabilondo at 305-348-5943 or jose.gabilondo@fiu.edu.

Media Contact: Jean-Paul Renaud at 305-348-2716.

-FIU-

About FIU College of Law:
The Florida International University College of Law meets an important need in the community by providing a quality, affordable legal education for South Florida residents. The student body, while principally from South Florida, is diverse in racial, ethnic, and professional background.  FIU College of Law graduates have passed the Florida Bar Exam at rates exceeding the statewide pass rate.  At the most recent examination, in July 2008, FIU graduates passed at the second highest rate when compared to graduates from all law schools in the state of Florida.

About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.