Latin America Center Hosts Heraldo Muñoz, Chilean Foreign Minister and Distinguished Josef Korbel School Alumnus
Heraldo Muñoz shares foreign policy insights on cyber-terrorism, global governance and domestic policy with students, faculty and community members
The Josef Korbel School's Latin America Center recently hosted distinguished alumnus Heraldo Muñoz for a two-day visit to the Josef Korbel School. Muñoz (MA '76, PhD '79, International Studies) is the current foreign minister of Chile and previously served as Chile's ambassador to the United Nations and representative to the Organization of American States. He is the author of multiple best-selling books, including "The Dictator's Shadow: Life Under Pinochet."
In an informal discussion on May 6 with Josef Korbel School students, faculty and members of the greater Denver community, Muñoz shared his unique perspectives on Chile's foreign policy in an era of complex change. Muñoz discussed how global transformations such as the growth of the cyber realm and climate change are posing new threats to Chile and to other countries in the region and world. Employing numerous examples of Chile's contributions to global governance, Foreign Minister Muñoz argued that to effectively manage the complex changes underway in the international system, governments need to display strong leadership at home and abroad.
"The event was a major success and the minister highlighted Chile's leadership and contributions to new global issues that affect Chile and its neighbors," said Anthony Navarrete, communications and events coordinator for the Latin America Center. "Heraldo Muñoz's visit was the culmination of hard work put in over the last two years to build support and awareness of the center on the DU campus," he said.
Founded in 2015, the Latin America Center is the Rocky Mountain region's hub for scholarship and events on Latin America. The center supports and coordinates educational, research, policy and cultural activities related to Latin America and international relations between North and South America. It acts as an institutional linkage between the University of Denver and the region to create opportunities for professional and scholarly exchange.
The center hosts dignified guests, including academicians, diplomats and journalists, for premier events; supports the research of students and faculty on timely issues impacting the Latin America region; and advances the study of Latin America on the DU campus. Students may get involved in the center's activities by applying for funding to conduct research or to attend academic conferences, participating in the student-run Latin America Studies Association and by collaborating with Josef Korbel School faculty on research projects.
Navarrete hopes that the Latin America Center will continue to grow and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on issues related to the Americas. "It's long overdue for the Rocky Mountain West to have a premier Latin America Center to provide thought leadership and shared solutions for the Western hemisphere and the world," he said.
