CLACSO-CROP Capacitation workshop

WORKSHOP: Capacitation Workshop on Poverty for young reseachers in Latin America and the Caribbean, part of the CLACSO-CROP Young Fellows programme.

In order to strengthen the research capacity among young scholars in Central America, the programme held its 5th capacitating workshop in Panama, 1-5 March. This educational initiative was co-organized with Center for Latin American Studies (CELA).

From a total of 58 applicants, 18 were selected to participate in the course. One of the aims of this educational effort is to help the young researchers to prepare better applications for the programme’s annual grant competition. There is a direct connection between young scholars who participate in the programme and who are winners of the grants – selected by an independent committee. Young scholars from nine (9) countries (Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) participated in the course; this means that each of the participating countries had two representatives. 66% (12) of the 18 researchers selected for the course were women. All of the scholars were under 34 of age, as stipulated in the guidelines for the course.
During 5 intense days – each day has 8 working hours – the young researchers are trained in general social science research and focusing on poverty and social policies in particular. There is a strong theoretical focus, but with practical illustrations and exercises in research methodology. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to poverty studies are discussed. A short state-of-the-art in poverty studies, particularly in the context of Latin America, is also provided and the various challenges with doing research on poverty are highlighted by senior researchers in the field. In this way a direct and important contact between young scholars and more established academics is also provided, something that is of great value to the new generation of poverty researchers in the region. The course is followed up by an online course by way of CLACSO’s Virtual Campus.

The lecturers in this course included Guillermo Castro, Academic Director of Ciudad de Saber, Panama; Alberto D. Cimadamore, Universidad de Buenos Aires/CLACSO, Argentina; Asuncion St. Clair, Scientific Director of CROP, Norway; Juliana Martinez Franzoni, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica; Gloria Rudolf, University of Pittsbrugh, USA; Olmedo Varela, UNDP, Panama; Maria Pia Otero, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Enoch Adames, FLACSO, Panama; Keila Rodríguez and Jose C. Lasso CELA, Panama.