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Research - 28.10.2024 - 16:00 

Four days at HSG packed with research, politics and culture from Latin America

From 21 to 24 October, the University of St.Gallen hosted ‘Latin America Week 2024’ with over 100 speakers and 350 participants. The focus was on the exchange between Latin America and Switzerland at the scientific, economic and cultural level. The University of St.Gallen plays a key role in this and is mandated to do so by the Swiss government.
Auftritt einer mexianischen Tanztruppe an den Latin America Days der HSG

The ‘Latin America Week 2024’ at the University of St.Gallen (HSG) will be held for the first time from 21-24 October 2024. It was the result of an initiative by the HSG Institute for Management in Latin America (GIMLA). At the opening ceremony, Prof. Dietmar Grichnik and Dr. Peter Lindström emphasised the diverse relationships that the University of St.Gallen (HSG) maintains with Latin America. This is exemplified by the GIMLA in Sao Paulo or the university's role as the leading house for Latin America in the framework of the bilateral programmes of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Among the more than 100 speakers at the Latin America Week were not only many researchers, but also, for example, the ambassadors of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador and Mexico.

During the four days, the rich Latin American culture was not neglected, in addition to research and politics: there were dance performances, dance classes, aperitifs with local food, musical performances and a ‘Dia de los muertos’ party. In addition, projects that researchers from Switzerland and Latin America are realising together were presented at so-called ‘research slams’.

Opportunities for Swiss companies

Dr Rocío Robinson, Head of Innovation and AIT Startups at GIMLA, presented the AIT Startups programme at a panel discussion on the topic of cooperation. More than 300 start-ups have already taken part in the programme, which is soon to be extended to Chile, having already been rolled out in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. But what opportunities and obstacles do established companies face when operating in Latin American markets? According to Bruno Aloi, Senior Consultant South America at Switzerland Global Enterprise, there is a lot of potential in everything ‘that has to do with infrastructure, especially in the areas of sustainability and energy transition.’

Dr. Alexander Hasgall, Head International Funding Policy at the Swiss National Science Foundation SNF agreed: ’Switzerland can provide technologies to make traditional sectors, such as mining, more sustainable.’ With regard to obstacles, Johanna Steiner, an international relations advisor at SERI, mentioned that bureaucracy can make cooperation difficult for both sides. ‘The leading house can play an important role in connecting the two sides and promoting mutual understanding.’ At the political level, a free trade agreement between the EFTA and Mercosur countries could also help, as Bruno Aloi added.

 

Auftritt einer mexikanischen Tanztruppe an den Latin America Days der HSG

The Latin America Days were also dedicated to Latin American culture: a Mexican dance group performed at SQUARE.

HSG-Forscher Matías Dewey berichtet über illegale Transaktionen im digitalen Raum

HSG researcher Matias Dewey analyses illegal transactions in the digital space.

Ein Architekturmodell thematisiert die Stadtentwicklung von São Paulo

Participants at the Latin America Days examine an architectural model that focuses on the urban development of Sao Paulo.

Tangovorführung von Rafael Herbas

Rafael Herbas's tango performance at the Latin America Days.

Auftritt einer mexikanischen Tanztruppe an den Latin America Days der HSG
HSG-Forscher Matías Dewey berichtet über illegale Transaktionen im digitalen Raum
Ein Architekturmodell thematisiert die Stadtentwicklung von São Paulo
Tangovorführung von Rafael Herbas

A more critical topic was addressed by faculty from HSG during one of the panel discussions. “Digital platforms are changing perceptions of risk in illegal market transactions", said Matias Dewey, HSG Associate Professor of Latin American Studies. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Telegram, as well as fintech-based payment services such as PayPal, Venmo, or Mercado Pago, are profoundly transforming illegal economies around the world, including Latin America.

Explicitly or implicitly, these companies are tasked in public and private governance arrangements to prevent, monitor, and report the misuse of their services for illegal purposes, making them key regulatory intermediaries upon which state actors depend for enforcement. “The role of digital platforms’ private regulation of these matters cannot be understated - and states are increasingly looking closely at it“ as Mariana Valente, HSG Assistant Professor of International Economic Law highlighted. She is involved in an interdisciplinary HSG-project that investigates this intermediary role and addresses three questions: How are digital technologies changing practices in the informal and illegal economies? How does regulation and enforcement shape the digitization of illegal markets? How does the gap between law-in-books and law-in-action affect these dynamics?

One of the main challenges was summarized by Roy Gava, Assistant Professor of Political Science: “Moving away from cash transactions helps authorities to combat illicit activities. At the same time, the digital payments revolution introduces novel challenges for both regulators and firms responsible for preventing the misuse of financial services.” The work of the aforementioned HSG researchers has lately drawn international attention: Matias Dewey has been interviewed by interviewed by CNN and the newspaper El Pais (Spain).

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