Symposium: Today’s Socialism & Human Rights

In the United States, the term “socialism” has been widely misunderstood and used to discredit even modest reforms.  This symposium will explore achievements and missteps in implementing socialism in China, India, Scandinavia, and Latin America.  It will weigh socialism’s value in addressing global challenges of climate change, economic inequality, and human rights abuses.

Registration is free.  Register for both the in-person and virtual symposium by emailing dussourd@buffalo.edu. The Symposium Flyer is available here, and Symposium Poster here.

In-person attendees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and photo ID to enter 10 Capen Hall.

PROGRAM

See abstracts and speaker bios here

9:00 IN-PERSON CHECK IN

9:15 WELCOMING REMARKS

9:30 – 11:30 UNDERSTANDING SOCIALISM: ACHIEVEMENTS AND MISSTEPS

“Socialism in China: Past and Future”
Ying Chen, Assistant Professor of Economics, New School for Social Research

“Experiments with Socialism in India: Comparing Kerala and West Bengal”
Jayati Ghosh, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst

“Would Democratic Socialism Be Better?”
Lane Kenworthy, Professor of Sociology and Yankelovich Chair in Social Thought, University of California San Diego

11:30 – 12:30 LUNCH

12:30 – 1:50 SOCIALISM AS A RESPONSE TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS

“Eco-Socialism and the Green New Deal”
Robert Pollin, Distinguished Professor of Economics; Co-Director, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Amherst

“Why 21st Century Socialism Will Focus on Democratizing Workplaces, not Government Economic Interventions”
Richard Wolff, Visiting Professor, The New School; Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst

2:00 – 3:20   SOCIALISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS

“Latin America’s ‘Left Turns’: Socialism, Democracy, and Social Citizenship Rights”
Kenneth Roberts, Richard J. Schwartz Professor of Government, Cornell University

“Rethinking Economics for Social Justice: The Radical Potential of Human Rights”
James Heintz, Andrew Glyn Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst

3:20 – 3:30   CLOSING REMARKS & WRAP-UP DISCUSSION

Sponsors: Alison Des Forges Memorial Committee; University at Buffalo: Departments of Comparative Literature, History, Political Science, and Africana and African-American Studies; Gender Institute; Humanities Institute; James Agee Chair in American Culture; Office of the Vice Provost for International Education, The Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy; Jack Walsh in Honor of Connie Walsh.

This symposium honors the life and work of human rights activist Alison Des Forges (1942-2009).

ROCLA-LASC: Honduras & US Imperialism Today

Jennifer Atlee – worked in Central America since 1984 in the areas of human rights, trauma and recovery and U.S.  policy with Witness for Peace, the Guatemalan Church in Exile, and Nicaraguan Ministry of Social Welfare, AFSC (Quakers), and the Quixote Center. She is the Coordinator of the Nicaragua – United States Friendship Office of the Americas and helped to develop the Honduras Accompaniment Project. She is the author of Red Thread; A Spiritual Journal of Accompaniment, Trauma and Healing, which chronicles her experiences in the war zones of Nicaragua during the U.S. sponsored contra war.

Tom Loudon – worked in Central America for over thirty in the areas of human rights, sustainable development and international policy. He worked with Witness for Peace, the Bloque Inter-Comunitario, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC-Quakers), the Quixote Center, the Alliance For Responsible Trade and served on the Commission of Truth in Honduras following the 2009 coup. Tom has recently retired from the Migrant Workers program for the state of Michigan. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Nicaragua – United States Friendship Office.

Join the ROCLA mailing list to receive Zoom meeting details to join the presentation on April 6, 2022 at 7:00PM!

LASC Peace Coffeehouse: A new moment for Honduras: Solidarity after elections

Monday March 28, 7:00-9:00pm A new moment for Honduras: Solidarity after elections. Canisius College Science Hall, near Main and Jefferson and the metro. Street parking on Main or in parking lot by the M&T bank.

Karen Spring has worked in Honduras for over 12 years as human rights defender & researcher, especially with the Honduras Solidarity Network (www.hondurassolidarity.org), which focuses on the role of US and Canadian foreign policy in Honduras. She also hosts the Honduras Now podcast (hondurasnow.org). She will Zoom in from Honduras.

After the 2009 US-backed military coup, Honduras became one of the most dangerous countries for lawyers, land defenders, journalists, and human rights defenders. Hondurans are anxious to see changes with the successful inauguration of Xiomara Castro this January 2022.                              Photo of Karen Spring.