UF Center for Latin American Studies
June 13, 2017
Ecological economist Alberto Acosta is one of the world’s leading theorists on the concept and implementation of Buen Vivir. Recent books include Salidas del laberinto capitalista: Decrecimiento y postextractivismo (2017), con Ulrich Brand, El Buen Vivir: Sumak Kawsay, una oportunidad para imaginar otro mundo (2013), and Desarrollo, postcrecimiento y Buen Vivir: Debates e interrogantes (2014). Acosta served as President of the assembly charged with drawing up Ecuador’s new constitution that guarantees the Rights of Nature (2007-2008), was Ecuador’s Minister for energy and mining (2007), and candidate for president (2013). He worked as professor and researcher at FLACSO-Ecuador, and was actively involved in the Yasuní initiative to leave the oil in the soil. Learn more about Alberto Acosta!
The Bacardi Family Eminent Scholar Chair in Latin American Studies was established in 1991 with a gift from Bacardi Imports and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Bacardi endowment enables the Center to invite distinguished scholars and public figures to teach, lecture, mentor students and carry out research at UF. Since 1992, 16 individuals have held the chair with expertise in diverse fields, such as economics, politics, tropical conservation, history, dance, and literature.
The course Buen Vivir and Other Postdevelopment Pathways is scheduled for spring 2018, Thursday mornings 9:30-12:30. Social and natural sciences join in this exploration of paths toward equitable and sustainable futures that are evolving in Latin America. Flexible use of English, Spanish and Portuguese will allow students to foreground their language of preference in reading and writing assignments and class discussions. Good understanding of Spanish is required of all participants.
