The weakness of the tax systems in the central Andean region is one of the main obstacles to its development. In the absence of a wider-ranging, more credible fiscal pact, construction of the State becomes seriously threatened. The delegitimisation of political and economic institutions has weakened the implicit contract between citizens and the State on which the tax system is based. This institutional weakness is rooted in the social and economic structure of the countries of the region, and has generated a vicious circle that is preventing the effective reform of the tax system.

Speakers:

Joan Oriol Prats
Doctor in Political Science and Economics Graduate at UAB.

Iñigo Macias Aymar
Master's in Development Studies at the London School of Econòmics.

Remarks by:

Rafael Grasa, Lecturer in International Relations and Secretary General of the UAB

On the occasion of the presentation of the CIDOB Journal of International Affairs (Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals) dedicated to the politics of Spain towards the Mediterranean and the Arab World, a session of assessment and analysis of the past legislature will be held in the Congress of Deputies. The act shall consist of the presentation of the journal, as well as of a round table discussion with representatives from different political parties, which will evaluate the performance of the government during the last four years, and will propose their distinctive parties’ visions as to the policies towards the region in question.

Published jointly by ECLAC and the CIDOB Foundation, the book “Towards a new social contract: Economic policies for comprehensive development in Latin America” is comprised of the addresses that were given at a seminar held in Barcelona in October 2006 which brought together economists and other well-known academics to reflect and debate on the situation, and to discuss what policies should be implemented to achieve sustained, equitable economic development in the region. The book tackles different components of economic policies, including fiscal reform, public spending and social protection, all of which represent basic prerequisites for establishing a social contract capable of ensuring political stability and economic development in Latin America. The presentation will be attended by the co-editors of the book, José Luis Machinea and Narcís Serra, in addition to Secretary-General of SEGIB Enrique Iglesias and David Vegara, Secretary of State for the Economy.

14 & 15 February 2008

Ever since the early 1990s, a number of Latin American states have employed what has become called "new regionalism" strategies to enable them to participate more in the international system and to help them to overcome the various economic, social, political and security challenges that have resulted from, or been exacerbated by the dynamics of globalisation.

Coordinators:

Manuel Cienfuegos, Latin America Relations Observatory, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona.

José Antonio Sanahuja, Complutense Institute for International Studies, Complutense University, Madrid

This seminar will analyse the implications of the European Union's domestic security policy on its relations with its neighbours. Among the subjects covered will be the institutional links between the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the European Security and Defence Policy and Cooperation in Justice and Domestic Issues in this field and the New Neighbourhood Policy. In particular, the seminar will carry out a comparative study of the effects on some of the states included in the Neighbourhood strategy, such as the Ukraine, Georgia and the countries of the Mediterranean.

Pre-enrolment on the 2nd Master's is open until 29 February

A unique, innovative, high-quality Master's Programme on the Euro-Mediterranean area devised with the aim of training professionals to be the new leaders with a genuine Euro-Mediterranean vision, and of promoting integration between Europe and the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean. The programme is promoted by the MAEM/MEMA network of universities and other academic institutions throughout the Euro-Mediterranean area, and which have worked together since 2001 with the support of the European Union programme Interreg III B MEDOCC. The course will be given in different cities, at the headquarters of the different organisations that belong to the network.