An AS/COA event featuring the Panamanian and Dominican ministers of education explored social inclusion initiatives and overcome barriers to educational access in Latin America.

Gay rights activists in a number of Latin American countries have achieved surprising and significant victories in recent years.

Latin America surpasses the world average when it comes to the number of female lawmakers. Despite progress at the presidential and legislative levels, some countries in the region fall short on boosting the number of women in office.

Negative attitudes toward homosexuals in politics persist—even among the young.

"If we are able to influence public opinion through media outlets we will be able to overcome the black community's traditional lack of political voice," writes Paulo Rogério, founder of Brazil-based Instituto Mídia Étnica, in the Winter 2010 issue of Americas Quarterly.

The recent arrest of members of a U.S. church group on trafficking charges shows that the humanitarian response to the thousands of Haitian children who have been displaced from their families must proceed with caution.

In a preview of AQ's Winter issue, a young Peruvian leader outlines why education must also involve teaching children about democratic values.