The San Diego World Affairs Council Presents the
Distinguished Speaker Series
in partnership with UCSD's Institute of the Americas
featuring:
STANFORD PROFESSOR DR. JAVIER MEJIA
”Colombia: A Land of Beauty & Symbol of Magical Realism: A Balancing Act Between Macroeconomic Stability and Political Violence”
Monday, December 4th, 2023
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Zoom Link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85835446704
Meeting ID: 858 3544 6704
Institute of the Americas
UCSD Campus
10111 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
UCSD Institute of Americas Parking.pdf
At the core of Colombia's identity lies a striking paradox: how can a region marred by high levels of violence maintain remarkable political and economic stability? This question delves into the intricate fabric of Colombian society, unveiling a web of complementary forces, including the legacy of a long bipartisan history, the emergence of a consolidated yet tumultuous leftist movement, the impact of globally educated technocrats, and the lack of cooperation of regionally fragmented elites.
Much like the magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez's literary works blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality, Colombia grapples with the surreal coexistence of stability and violence. Through a compelling exploration of Colombia's past, present, and future, we unravel the mystery that defines the country's resilience. Join us as we delve deep into the essence of this captivating nation, where the extraordinary and the everyday harmonize, showcasing a distinctive balancing act that continues to captivate the world's imagination.
About Professor Javier Mejia:
Javier Mejia is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Political Science Department at Stanford University. His work focuses on the intersection between social networks and economic history, extending to topics on entrepreneurship and political economy with a geographical specialty in Latin America and the Middle East. He received a Ph.D. in Economics from Los Andes University. He has been a Postdoctoral Associate and Lecturer at New York University--Abu Dhabi and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Bordeaux. Javier is a regular contributor to different news outlets. Currently, he is a Forbes Magazine op-ed columnist.
