Intra-Latin American Relations

Using the knowhow and muscle of each nation to provide a sustainable economic future for every citizen, the Grupo Vidanta Foundation, founded by Daniel Chavez Moran, sponsored the Bicentennial Opportunity Project to evaluate the historical development of Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Mexico over the last century. Similarities and differences from the period 1910-2010 were examined. The research focused on five facets: politics, economy, society, international relations, and thought and culture. A summary of current and future trends and predictions in all four countries was also included.

Under the direction of its president, Roberto Russell, the Foundation funded over forty studies for the project, which were presided over by Ricardo Lagos of the Fundación Democracia y Desarrollo. International coordination was entrusted to these renowned international universities and academic institutions:

Argentina Universidad Torcuato Di Tella
Chile Fundación Democracia y Desarrollo
Colombia Universidad Externado
México Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas

Special guests at the third international seminar, “The Bicentennial Opportunity,” held October 14th, 2010, in Mexico City, included international dignitaries and former presidents of Chile, Colombia and Uruguay: Ricardo Lagos, César Gaviria and Julio Maria Sanguinetti, respectively; the Secretary General for the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza; the Secretary General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), Enrique Iglesias; the president of the Carolina Foundation of Spain, Rosa Conde and the president of the Grupo Vidanta Foundation, Dr. Roberto Russell among others.

Some of the other seminar hosts included the Carolina Foundation of Spain, the Democracia y Desarrollo Foundation of Chile, the Center for Research and Teaching of Economics (CIDE) and the magazine Nexos.

Scholarly works have provided a starting point for discourse about key social and economic development obstacles that lie ahead for Latin America.

The Grupo Vidanta Foundation backs other international summits, seminars, conferences and projects like this to promote a sustainable economic future for the community of Latin America.