Three eminent speakers gave an update on a current political dynamics in Latin America, including the round of up-coming elections and their implications, the situation in Venezuela and its broader regional ramifications, as well as pertinent challenges for governance such as the fight against corruption.

The speakers were:

Ivan Briscoe: “Sceptics and true believers: Latin American election fever”. Mr. Briscoe is Program Director, Latin American programs of International Crisis Group (ICG). He is based in Bogota and has a degree from Oxford and Complutense Madrid and has also worked as a journalist.

Benedicte Bull: "Latin American regional relations and the new game of the giants". Ms. Bull is Professor of Political Science at the University of Oslo. She specializes in Latin American affairs and is the author of a number books, including Business Groups and Transnational Capitalism in Central America (Palgrave Macmillan). She is also the leader of the Oslo Academy of Global Governance.

Mikko Pyhälä: “How riches turned into ashes”. Mr. Pyhälä is Ambassador (ret.) and has served as a diplomat in several Latin American countries. He is an expert on Venezuela and he is soon about to publish a book about the situation in the country.

Opening remarks by Minister (Hon.) Pär Stenbäck.

The discussions will be moderated by Dr. Mikael Wigell, Adjunct Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of Foreign Affairs (FIIA).