LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION INC

LASA aims, as stated in its mission, to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate.

LASA aims to accomplish its goals with the following activities:

LASA Annual Congress: Every year, specialists on Latin America gather at the LASA International Congress. Featuring over 900 sessions, including plenary sessions and informal meetings, a three-day Film Festival and a Book Exhibit, the Congress is the world's premier forum for expert discussion on Latin America and the Caribbean. The next International Congress, on the historic occasion of LASA's 50th Anniversary, will be held in New York City, May 27 – 30, 2016.

LASA Publications: LASA provides access to the Latin American Research Review (LARR), the premier U.S.-based journal in Latin American Studies and publishes the LASA Forum, a quarterly newsletter.

LASA Sections: LASA Sections exist to promote the common interest of Association members in specific areas of Latin American Studies. They are a means of increasing communication and interaction among persons of similar interests within the framework of the larger organization. For 2015 there are 36 Sections.

LASA counts with a permanent Secretariat and a rotating Executive Board which facilitates the implementation of policies as determined by the Board.

Accomplishments:
• During its past 10 Congresses, LASA has provided the opportunity to present and discuss more than 40,000 research studies.
• More than 500 scholars from developing countries benefit annually with travel grants to attend and present their research at LASA Congresses.
• Thanks to its open access initiative, LARR is available free of charge in all Latin American countries and soon will be open to the world.
• LASA has organized several missions to observe presidential elections in Latin American countries.
• LASA's Film Festival actively contributed to the dissemination of more than 250 significant films on Latin America over the last 10 years.
• LASA's Book Exhibit gathers more than 60 international publishers every year highlighting the latest publications on Latin America.
• As part of its outreach project, LASA assists smaller organizations with conference planning throughout the Americas.
• LASA acquired its own building at the end of 2019. This building serves as headquarters for the association and also houses the first Latin American Cultural Center and Museum in the United States showcasing arts, history and culture from Latin America.