"If globalization has taught us anything, it is surely that the benefits can only accrue if integration is embraced, if the world trading system is preserved and strengthened, and if appropriated flexible economic policies are pursued," said Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) President Luis Alberto Moreno during an event co-hosted by IADB and COA January 31.

"Most countries in Latin America are now less reliant on the U.S. economy and the financial health of U.S. businesses and consumer," writes Univision's Stephen Keppel citing Americas Quarterly's winter 2012 issue.

Colombian refugees in Ecuador "struggle to find regular work and face discrimination and exploitation in the workplace," writes Colombia Reports, citing an article in the new issue of Americas Quarterly.

"Chinese competition has hit LatAm manufacturers hard–at home and abroad," writes Financial Times' Keyur Patel, citing an article by Osvaldo Rosales in the Winter 2012 issue of Americas Quarterly.

"Is China more friend than foe for countries like Brazil and Mexico? A study to be published in Americas Quarterly journal this week shows that the relationship is actually quite well balanced," writes Forbes.com's Kenneth Rapoza.

"From elections in Brazil to mapping power in Chile to a stand-in for Wikipedia in the United States, journalists throughout the Americas are using crowdsourcing to cover the news," writes Summer Harlow of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, referring to AS/COA Online's recent article on Latin American crowdsourcing.

Flamenco Festival USA will start its new concert series Flamenco and Beyond, and will include a February 29 panel presentation at NYU's King Juan Carlos Center in conjunction with Americas Society, and a performance at Americas Society on March 2.