Globalizing the Local: Participatory Democracy,

Social Justice, and Human Rights in the Americas�

Join Claudia Lopez and Maria Machado two democracy-watch advocates and 2009 Yale World Fellows for Thai food, a discussion of current world challenges to the promotion of democracy, and a reflection on their personal journeys in public service.�

Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m.*

� Dwight Hall at Yale, Library

67 High Street

*Food from Thai Taste provided �

Claudia Lopez:Political Researcher, New Rainbow Corporation and Civil Society Electoral Mission Lopez is one of the most respected Colombian political analysts for having exposed the infiltration of paramilitary death squads at some of the highest levels of Colombias political system. Her research on the infiltration of paramilitary groups in the Colombian Congress triggered a national scandal known as parapolitics which led to the legal investigation of more than a third of all members of Congress. She subsequently helped found the Electoral Observatory Mission, a coalition of NGOs and journalists that monitors political processes in Colombia, and also currently works for the New Rainbow Foundation as an analyst of illegal groups and armed conflict. Her courageous dedication to strengthening human rights and the rule of law makes her one of the most well-known contributors to democratic development in Colombia today.�

Maria, Machado: A co-founder of SUMATE, Venezuelas leading watchdog for electoral transparency, Machado dedicates herself to defending democratic institutions and civil liberties in Venezuela. Using the right granted by the new Bolivarian Constitution to call popular referendums, SUMATE successfully organized national petition-signing drives that reached more than a quarter of all registered voters in Venezuela. Prior to co-founding SUMATE, Machado founded and directed the Opportunitas Foundation, an NGO that provides support to children and youth from low-income families. She also founded Fundaci�n Atenea, an NGO which managed a childrens safe house.�
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Sponsored by the Student Executive Committee, Social Justice Network, and Magee Fellowship of Dwight Hall at Yale.