On September 21, the Observatory on Latin America and the graduate program in International Affairs welcomed the president of Uruguay, Dr. Tabare Vazquez Rosas, to the historic Orozco room to speak about the challenges progressive governments face in Latin America and the experiences of the Frente Amplio administration.

Tabaré Vázquez, an oncologist and former mayor of Montevideo, became the first Uruguayan Frente Amplio (a coalition of progressive groups) president in 2005, after winning more than 50 percent of the vote in the national elections. President Tabaré discussed the various ambitious programs implemented by the Frente Amplio, which he stated were aimed at striking a balance between economic growth and social justice. He cited Plan Ceibal as an example, which is a program that provides a Mac XO computer and free Internet access to every child in the public school system. Current program goals include ensuring that, by next year, each child will only have to travel a maximum of 300 meters to access the closest wi-fi hot spot.

In addition, Vázquez’s administration carried out important reforms in the health and tax systems, and implemented an emergency plan of social policies to assist the urgent needs of the most deprived Uruguayans. His government has also undertaken investigations of human-rights violations committed during military rule in the 1970s and 80s.
Led by Professor Michael Cohen, director of the graduate program in International Affairs, and Bob Kerrey, president of The New School, the successful event was crowded with students, faculty, trustees, and individuals from the tri-state area’s Uruguayan community. The event was also broadcast into a nearby room to accommodate the interest in the president’s remarks.

The Observatory on Latin America is a university-wide initiative at The New School working to create new opportunities for multiple narratives and public debate on hemispheric processes of reform and change. The OLA seeks to improve academic and public understanding in the United States and Latin America regarding political and economic change underway in Latin America. For more information, visit www.observatorylatinamerica.org.