The Latin American Studies asserts these core principles of our program. These principles are part of our engagement with the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan and UBC’s commitment to anti-racism and inclusive excellence. These core principles are also, therefore, a formal political statement, in the name of the program and not individual faculty members. This political statement is in accordance with UBC policies on academic freedom. This is a challenge to any infringement on our academic freedom, and despite our current political climate (as passed on February 8, 2024).
- Indigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result of, inter alia, their colonization and dispossession of their lands, territories and resources, thus preventing them from exercising, in particular, their right to development in accordance with their own needs and interests (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples).
- Systemic racism negatively shapes the lives of many people in Canada, Latin America, and around the world.
- Canada benefits from hierarchies created by race, capitalism, colonialism, global governance, and other factors and at the expense of people and countries in Latin America and elsewhere in the Global South.
This statement was approved by 83 percent of the core faculty of the Latin American Studies program. These principles guide our teaching and research, our commitment to our students, and our engagement with Latin America.