The annual academic conference of the China Latin American History Association, combined with the symposium commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Research Office for Latin American Studies at Fudan University (ROLAS Fudan), was held at Fudan University from June 15-16, 2024. This event was co-hosted by the China Latin American History Association and the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University (IIS Fudan), with the ROLAS Fudan undertaking the organization.
（Group photo of the 2024 Annual Academic Conference of the China Latin American History Association and Symposium Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the ROLAS Fudan）
The theme of the conference, "Latin America and China in the Context of Major Global Historical Changes," set the stage for a series of scholarly exchanges. Wang Wenxian, Secretary-General of the China Latin American History Association, chaired the opening ceremony. Professor Hu Lingyuan, chair of the academic committee at the IIS Fudan, represented Dean Wu Xinbo and the IIS Fudan, extending heartfelt congratulations on the successful commencement of the conference. He highlighted the IIS Fudan's structural and developmental strategies and emphasized the need for enhancing the construction of an independent knowledge system within Latin American studies.
Professor Dong Guohui, Chairman of the China Latin American History Association, recounted the developmental milestones of the ROLAS Fudan, underscoring the association's robust support for reinvigorating Latin American studies at the university. He also introduced the agenda for the scholarly discussions that would unfold during the conference.
(Photo of three hosts: Prof. Hu Lingyuan [Center], Prof. Dong Guohui [Right], and Prof. Wang Wenxian [Left])
The commemorative session was gracefully managed by Cao Ting, Deputy Director of the ROLAS Fudan, who expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from both the Association and peers in the field. The session opened with a short film marking the 60th anniversary of the ROLAS Fudan, followed by a keynote speech from Professor Zhang Sengen, who shared insights into the life and academic ethos of the ROLAS Fudan’s founder, Cheng Bohong.
Secretary-General Wang Wenxian then presented congratulatory messages from various prestigious institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of World History and Latin American research centers at other major universities. The open discussion segment featured poignant reminiscences about the history of the ROLAS Fudan and congratulatory messages on its 60th anniversary.
The event concluded with Professor Hu Lingyuan and Professor Dong Guohui awarding honorary medals to distinguished former members of the ROLAS Fudan, followed by a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony. This was succeeded by keynote addresses from prominent scholars, who delved into various facets of Latin American studies.
（Photo of the commemorative session）
Parallel forums on the afternoons of June 15 and the morning of June 16 spanned a wide array of topics, from politics to cultural history in Latin America, fostering spirited discussions and insightful exchanges. The conference wrapped up with group reports and a summary session, underscoring the vital need for continued scholarly dialogue in the face of significant global changes.
More than 90 scholars and students from over 30 institutions participated in the event, highlighting its status as a pivotal platform for academic discourse in the field of Latin American studies.
(Video for the 60th Anniversary of ROLAS Fudan)
