The 2018 Latin American Colloquium (LAC 2018) will look to a new topic of: shifting global dynamics: implications for Australia and Latin America.

Recent political and social upheavals such as Brexit in the United Kingdom and Trump’s election in the United States have resulted in changing global dynamics, which in some cases, have resulted in a shake-up of traditional international alliances and power structures. This year’s Colloquium will explore how these changes will affect Australia and Latin America's bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as their economic, political and social landscapes.

Panel sessions

Panel 1: New regional economic and trade agreements (TPP-11, PAFTA, Pacific Alliance FTA): are they effective enablers for closer cooperation?

Australia is embarking upon negotiations for a suite of trade agreements with a number of Latin American countries in recognition of many rapidly-growing economies and burgeoning investment opportunities in the region. This panel will consider the potential implications and opportunities arising from these agreements and pose the question: are economic and trade agreements effective mechanisms to support closer engagement between our regions?

Panel 2: The Horizontal perspective: fostering people-to-people linkages to promote cooperation and positive social impact

It is widely recognised that we are living in a climate of increasing socio-political complexity, compounded by blurred geographical boundaries and strengthened global connectivity as a result of social media and mass mobility of people. However, these factors also give rise to opportunities that can be harnessed for social good. This panel will present case studies highlighting how direct people-to-people linkages can be fostered to promote cross-cultural cooperation and generate positive impact, bypassing traditional political, social or multicultural barriers.

Presenters

Assistant Treasurer, Commonwealth of Australia
President, Australia Peru Chamber of Commerce Inc (APCCI)
Chief Negotiator, Pacific Alliance FTA
Deputy Chief Negotiator, The Indonesia – Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA)
Chair of Infrastructure Australia
Chief Executive Officer, Trade and Investment Queensland
Chief Executive Officer, Turbo Snacks and kako-T
Chief Executive Officer, QUT Bluebox
Director, Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC)
Co-founder and Producer, Aztec Visuals
Partner, Energy, Resources & Industrials, Deloitte Financial Advisory
Professor, School of Economics, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Senior Lecturer, School of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Entrepreneur and Director, Australian Latin America Young Professionals (ALAYP)

Heads of Mission

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Peru
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Colombia
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Chile
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Mexico
His Excellency Dr Hugo Javier Gobbi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador
Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of El Salvador
Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Uruguay

Program overview

Time Activity
1.30pm – 2.00pm Registration 
2.00pm – 2.10pm  Welcome address: Professor Peter Høj, President and Vice-Chancellor, UQ
2.10pm – 2.20pm  Ambassadorial welcome address
2.20pm – 2.55pm Keynote speaker followed by Q&A
2.55pm – 3.55pm  Panel one: new regional economic and trade agreements (e.g. the Trans Pacific Partnership and Pacific Alliance Free Trade Agreement): are they effective enablers for closer cooperation?
3.55pm – 4.15pm  Networking afternoon tea 
4.15pm – 4.50pm Keynote speaker followed by Q&A
4.50pm – 5.50pm Panel two: the horizontal perspective: fostering people-to-people linkages to promote cooperation and positive social impact. 
5.50pm – 5.55pm Ambassadorial closing remarks
5.55pm – 6.00pm Closing remarks by Dr Jessica Gallagher, Director, Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship, UQ

Event contact

For more information about the event or UQ's engagement in Latin America, contact

Ms Rachael Kelly, International Visits and Events Officer, Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship, UQ

+61 7 3346 0618