INTER-AMERICAN INITIATIVE ON SOCIAL CAPITAL, ETHICS AND DEVELOPMENT

Printer friendly agenda

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
THE ETHICAL CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPMENT
Buenos Aires, september 5th and 6th, 2002

Organized by:

UNIVERSITY OF BUENOS AIRES, FACULTY OF ECONOMIC SCIENCES

INTER-AMERICAN INITIATIVE ON SOCIAL CAPITAL, ETHICS AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

THE ANDEAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

With the support of:

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF ARGENTINA ■ MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF ARGENTINA ■ UNION OF UNIVERSITIES OF LATIN AMERICA (UDUAL) ■ LATIN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMICS FACULTIES AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (ALAFEC) ■ INTER-UNIVERSITY COUNSEL (CIN) ■ COUNCIL OF DEANS IN ECONOMIC SCIENCES OF ARGENTINA (CODECE) ■ NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF GENERAL ADMINISTRATION (ADENAG) ■ NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POST-GRADUATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS OF BRAZIL (ANPAD) ■ COLLEGE OF GRADUATES OF ECONOMIC SCIENCES ■ PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC SCIENCES OF THE AUTONOMOUS CITY OF BUENOS AIRES ■ ARGENTINEAN FEDERATION OF GRADUATES FROM ECONOMICS SCIENCES ■ NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATION COURSES OF BRAZIL (ANGRAD-BRASIL) ■ GETULIO VARGAS FOUNDATION ■ BRAZILIAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (EBAP) ■ SOCIAL OBSERVATORY OF ARGENTINA ■

THE ETHICAL CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPMENT

I. THE ETHICS OF DEVELOPMENT, A FUNDAMENTAL THEME

The Latin American community is increasingly showing a strong concern for the ethics of development. Their interest is not limited to the theme of corruption -it is much broader. Latin Americans demand the eradication of all corrupt practices, but at the same time, they question what kind of society the ongoing development process is generating. The people are challenging their government to act without further delay to overcome poverty, to provide adequate care for children, to protect the family, to furnish opportunities for youths, and to address the gender question. They demand that their officials formally address basic ethical issues, that they work to overcome discrimination against indigenous communities, African American groups, people with disabilities, and against the elderly.

The demands of the community are aimed at certain concrete goals. The community requests that the main actors of the development effort take on all of the ethical responsibilities that are their duty, and that they do so now. They desire ethical behavior from political leaders, social responsibility in private enterprises, dedicated public servants working for the interests of the general population, ethical behavior from union leaders, NGOs, universities and all kinds of organizations of civil society.

On the other hand, in the sphere of economics, there is an increasingly active dialog related to the need to recover the interconnectedness of ethics and economics for purposes of analysis. The two fields were closely related when economics was founded, and the recreation of this strong link between the fields is a top priority. Nobel Prize recipient Amartya Sen has emphasized that the distance between ethics and economics has been to the detriment of economics.

The interest in the relationship between ethics and economics has been informed by the development of a new, related field of analysis, that of social capital. Social capital revalorizes and puts the invisible aspects of development at the center of the development debate. These invisible aspects include the interpersonal trust, the associative capacity of a society, the levels of civic conscience, and the predominant values.

The themes of social capital, ethics and development can enrich the Latin American debate about the path of development and contribute in an effective way to the design of public policies and to the action of principle social actors. In this effort, the university can play an important role if they incorporate the themes of social capital, ethics, and development into their public agenda.

The present international seminar is an effort to incorporate these innovative themes into the faculties of economics and administration, so that those in the field can further a debate on these themes and the responsibilities of the university in teaching these topics.

The efforts of the Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development, created by the Inter-American Development Bank with the support of the government of Norway, the government of France, and the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires have made this seminar possible. The Initiative’s aim is to promote in the entire region the investigation, analysis and discussion of the ethical challenges of development and social capital. To that end, this Initiative has constructed a network of integrated academic centers from many universities of Latin America, Europe, and the United States. The Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), which undertakes vigorous social and academic efforts, has this purpose as part of their central mission, and is a member of this network. In addition to the government of France, which considered the seminar to be of great usefulness, many regional entities have supported this seminar. These entities include the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), the Union of Latin American Universities (UDUAL), the Association of Latin American Faculties of Economics and Public Accountants (ALAFEC), the National Association of post-graduate administrative programs of Brazil (ANPAD) and important national institutions, such as the Ministry of Education, the Inter-University Counsel (CIN) and the Deans of Faculties of Economics.

All these groups believe that this is a debate that cannot be postponed. As has been suggested by the people of the region, this debate has long been necessary, but has been put off. As such, the Latin American universities can and should have a determinant role in the initial projection of this debate.

II. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The seminar will take place in Buenos Aires, at the offices of the Faculty of Economic Sciences, located at 2122 Ave. Córdoba. The seminar will be held on the 5^th and 6^th of September. The goal of the event is to have participatory discussions involving people from all of Argentina, as well as from all of Latin America. Invited speakers include entrepreneurs, government leaders, and representatives of major organizations.

THE ETHICAL CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPMENT

Thursday, September 5^th, 2002

• Carlos Aníbal Degrossi, Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  
  
• Sissel Breae, Ambassador of Norway to Argentina.
  
  
• Arturo Díaz Alonso, President of the Association of Economics Faculties and Accountants of Latin America (ALAFEC).
  
  
• Bernardo Kliksberg, General Coordinator of the Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics, and Development, Inter-American Development Bank.
  
  
• Guillermo Jaim Etcheverry, Dean of the University of Buenos Aires.
  
  
• Enrique V. Iglesias, President of the Inter-American Development Bank.
  
  

• Rebeca Grynspan, Director of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), México.
  
  
• Carlos Lessa, Rector of the Federal University of Rio, Brazil.
  
  
• Ignacy Sachs, Honorary Director, School for the Advanced Studies of Social Sciences, France.
  
  
• José Nun, Director of the Institute for Advanced Socials Studies of the General San Martin National University, Argentina.
  

• Padre Luis Ugalde, Rector of Andrés Bello Catholic University, Venezuela.
  
  
• Padre Fernando Montes, Dean of Padre Hurtado University, Chile.
  
  
• Bernardo Kliksberg, General Coordinator of the Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics, and Development, Inter-American Development Bank.

• Michel Crozier, Emeritus Investigator of the Center of Sociology of the Organizations of France.

• María del Carmen Feijoo, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Coordination of Social Politics in Argentina.
  
  
• Padre Javier Sanín, Director of the Andean Observatory Project of the Political Science Faculty of the Pontificia Javeriana University, Colombia.
  
  
• María del Carmen Pardo, Head Researcher of the College of México, México. .
  

• Jorge Etkin, Director of Business Administration, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  
  
• Orlando Reos, Chief of State and Civil Society, Division of 1, Inter-American Development Bank.
  
  
• Bianor Cavalcanti, Director of the Brazilian School of Public Administration and Enterprises (EBAPE), and Foundation Getulio Vargas, Brazil.
  
  
• Omar Guerrero, Professor, Area of Graduate Level, Faculty of Political Sciences of the Autonomous National University of México, México.
  

• Luis Fuenmayor, Director of the Planning Office of the University Sector (OPSU), Venezuela.
  
  
• Jorge Ader, Professor of the Faculty of Economics Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  
  
• Tania Fisher, Coordinator of the Core of Local Power, Federal University of Bahía, Brazil.
  

Friday, September 6^th, 2002

• Carlos Heller, President of Credicoop and the Private and Public Bank Association of Argentina (ABPPA).

• María Teresa Szauer, Director of Sustainable Development of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF).

• Janik Lindbaek, Former Chief Executive of the Nordic Investment Bank and Former Executive Vice-president of the Financial Corporation of Investments of the World Bank.

• Elio Alvarenga, Rector of the Catholic University of Honduras.

• Edgar Morin, Emeritus Director of the National Center for Scientific Research, France.

• Ignacio Moreno León, Rector of the Metropolitan University, Venezuela.
  
  
• David Crocker, Professor, University of Maryland, United States.
  
  
• François Vallaeys, Professor, Catholic University, Perú.
  
  
• Marcelo Siles, Co-director of the Social Capital Initiative, Michigan State University, United States.
  

• Desmond McNeill, Director of the Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM), University of Oslo, Norway.
  
  
• Lindon Robinson, Co-director of the Social Capital Initiative, Michigan State University, United States.
  
  
• José Sulbrandt, Director of the Masters Program of Public Administration, University of Santiago, Chile.
  
  
• Jorge Arturo Cháves, Professor, Heredia University, Costa Rica.
  

• Francisco Suárez, Institute of Administrative Investigations, National University of Buenos Aires.

• Leonardo Schvarstein, National Association of Teachers of General Administration (ADENAG).
  Coordination of tasks and conclusions of the workshops.
  
  At this point, simultaneous workshops will be held with all the university participants to discuss ideas and proposals on how to teach ethics, social capital and development in universities, and on the role of universities in projecting an ethical agenda into the national debate.

• Bernardo Kliksberg, General Coordinator of the Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development, Inter-American Development Bank.

• Carlos Ferdinand, Secretary of the Inter-American Development Bank.

• Paal I. M. Aavatsmark, Executive Director, Inter-American Development Bank.
  
  
• The Andean Development Corporation.

• Carlos Aníbal Degrossi, Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Buenos Aires.

III. ORGANIZATION

The seminar is being organized by the IADB, through its Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development, and by the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires with support from the the Government of Norway, Government of France, the Andean Development Corporation, and other regional and national institutions.

IV. DOCUMENTATION

• The writings of the speakers of the seminar will all be available at www.iadb.org/etica/ingles/index-i.htm.
  
  
• The packet "Ethics and Economy: The Marginalized Relationship" compiled by Bernardo Kliksberg will be presented at the seminar. The packet contains works prepared especially for the Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development by Amartya Sen, Edgar Morin, Patricio Aylwin, Ignacy Sachs, Peter Singer, Monseñor Darmuid Martín, Saul Sosnowski, Tarso Genro, George Alleyne, José Octavio Bordón, Joan Prats and David Crocker among others (Editorial El Ateneo, 2002).
  
  
• The Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development has established a digital library devoted to research on these important issues. It can be accessed at www.iadb.org/etica/ingles/index-i.htm.

IV. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR

PRESIDENTS

Carlos Aníbal Degrossi
Dean
Faculty of Ecomomic Sciences
National University of Buenos Aires

Bernardo Kliksberg
General Coordinator
Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development
Inter-American Development Bank

Jorge Etkin
Director of Business Administration
Faculty of Ecomomic Sciences
National University of Buenos Aires

GENERAL COORDINATION

Liliana Basile
General Adviser
Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development
Inter-American Development Bank

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Indicated by the Faculty of Ecomomic Sciences
National University of Buenos Aires

Mercedes Argañarás
Jorge Schvarzer
Raúl Sanchez
Ezequiel Stolar
Héctor Fernandez
Francisco Suarez
Leonardo Schvarstein
Héctor Larocca
Isaac Bleger
Alejandro Aubone
Jorge Ader
Leonardo Busquet

Coordinator of the special team of assistants

Héctor Larocca
Professor
Faculty of Ecomomic Sciences
National University of Buenos Aires

Workshops
Coordinators

Francisco Suárez
Institute of Administrative Investigations
Faculty of Ecomomics Sciences
National University of Buenos Aires

Leonardo Schvarstein
National Association of Teachers of General Administration of Argentina

Work Team
Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development
Inter-American Development Bank

Luis Argueta
María Mercedes Barrios
Diego Cardona
Sandra Cohen
Christian Donovan
Francisco Gallo
Andrew Holm
Elizabeth Sayre
Jedidiah Sundwall
María Tascón
María Loreto Torres

VI. CONTACT

Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development
INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
www.iadb.org/etica/ingles/index-i.htm
etica@iadb.org
Telephone: (202) 623-2552
Fax: (202) 312-4058

Christina MacCulloch
PRESS

Go to top