August 24-26, 2017

Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

Explore our speakers and programming schedule. (pdf)

Paraguay has been undergoing many tumultuous political, economic, and social changes, but its larger neighbors have attracted most of the attention.  Some changes stem from long historical trajectories and others have been spurred by the recent intensification of globalization. In this intimate and influential conference, we invite scholars from all disciplines whose research and critical eye can put these changes in perspective and identify future trends.  We anticipate participation from scholars, including some coming from Paraguay.

Paraguay and the State of Kansas have had an official partnership led by the Kansas Paraguay Partners and the Comité Paraguay-Kansas for forty-eight years. Both organizations are members of the Partners of the Americas (POA), the Western hemisphere’s largest private, apolitical volunteer organization. POA and the Kansas Paraguay Partners are both funding speakers. The partnership has included commercial, rural, governmental, and educational collaboration. Currently, nearly 200 Paraguayan students attend Kansas universities, while many Kansas faculty and students have researched and studied abroad in Paraguay. 

Paraguay at the Crossroads is supported by many KU sponsors: the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Environmental Studies Program, Department of Film and Media Studies, Hall Center for the Humanities, Indigenous Studies, International Programs, and Department of Spanish and Portuguese

In addition, Paraguay at the Crossroads is supported by several outside sponsors: Kansas Paraguay Partners, Partners of the Americas, Title VI: U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Embassy, Asuncion, Paraguay, and three generous anonymous donors.

Finally, a very special thank you to the conference organizing committee:  Melissa Birch, School of Business; Tamara Falicov, Film & Media Studies; and Brent Metz, Anthropology.

US Embassy Asunción	Hall Center for the Humanities	Partners of the Americas	Comité Paraguay Kansas	Kansas Paraguay Partners