The Center for Latin American Issues (CLAI)

We have dedicated more than thirty years to promoting growth and development in Latin America by providing executive education programs in the public and private sectors. These programs cover economics, anti-corruption, regulatory policy, entrepreneurship, health, and tourism.

In memory of James Ferrer

Programs

The Minerva Program

Founded in 1994, the Minerva Program is CLAI’s flagship executive education initiative for senior executives from both the public and private sectors. Over a 16-week residential course in Washington, D.C., participants learn about economics, finance, economic policymaking, regulation, and public ethics. The program offers a unique opportunity for Latin American executives to enhance their administrative skills and acquire interdisciplinary expertise necessary to foster public-private alliances, partnerships, and collaborations.

After completing the program, participants return to their agencies more knowledgeable and better prepared to perform their duties, having mastered the tools needed to drive economic progress in the 21st century. Nearly all “Minervistas" quickly advance in their careers, with some reaching the highest levels in their respective agencies.

The program can be tailored to a specific policy domain and delivered in an intensive three-week version for students who cannot spend a whole academic term living in Washington, D.C.

Advanced Program on Economics, Politics and Policy in Latin America

A one-week course for emerging public leaders and graduate students interested in gaining expertise, developing leadership skills, and strengthening their professional networks in the US, Latin America, and Europe.

The APEPP Program combines lectures, simulations, and technical visits tailored to the specific interests of CLAI partners – such as macroeconomics, policy design, regulation, behavioral policy, or sustainability. Topics covered in this program include: "Latin American Economies: Challenges and Opportunities," "The Political Economy of Policymaking in Latin America," and "Business Development and International Finance in the Americas," among others.

Participants will be invited to engage in simulations, role-plays, group exercises, and other team-based activities centered on real and fictional cases. These activities will enable participants to apply their learning in practical situations involving strategic negotiation, scenario planning, communication, influence and persuasion, innovation, and crisis or change management.

Participants also visit strategic business consulting firms for Latin America (e.g., LLYC, McKinsey and Co., BCG), public affairs offices of transnational companies (e.g., Microsoft, Meta), business associations, unions, lobby groups (to be defined based on the class profile), political leaders in the Capitol (to be determined based on the class profile), and mainly, multilateral organizations based in Washington, D.C., such as the World Bank Group, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

After completing this program, participants return to their home countries with a deep understanding of the region's economics, politics, and policy dilemmas, enabling them to apply many of these ideas locally.

The APEPP Program can be implemented in Washington, D.C., and delivered in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. It can also be delivered locally in Madrid, Spain, and throughout all Western Hemisphere countries – in collaboration with local academic partners.

  • For detailed information: Dr. Silverio Zebral Filho (APEP Academic Director):

Advanced Program on Corporate Diplomacy

A one-week program designed for senior and emerging corporate leaders and practitioners interested in gaining expertise, developing relational leadership skills, and expanding their professional networks in the US within the fields of corporate affairs, business-government relations, ESG, and public affairs.

The ACDP combines lectures, simulations, and technical visits tailored to the specific interests of CLAI partners. Topics covered in this program include: "The Future of Stakeholder Capitalism," “The Future of Government," “The New Corporate Activism," “Policy Complexity and Wicked Problems," “Issues Management," "Effective Narratives: Influence and Persuasion," “Strategic Communications," “Strategic Negotiations," “Open Innovation”, “Scenario Building and Anticipatory Governance”, ESG Strategies and Implementation”, and “Crisis Management". Participants also visit U.S. government agencies (i.e., Environmental Protection Agency, the Farm Bureau), business associations, unions, lobby groups (to be defined based on the class profile), political leaders in the Capitol (to be determined based on the class profile), and mainly, multilateral organizations based in Washington, D.C., such as the World Bank Group, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

After completing this program, participants return to their home countries with a comprehensive understanding of corporate diplomacy strategies, techniques, and skills—and are better equipped to apply many of these ideas locally.

The ACDP can be implemented in Washington, D.C., and delivered in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. It can also be delivered locally in Madrid, Spain, and throughout all Western Hemisphere countries – in collaboration with local academic partners.

  • For detailed information: Dr. Silverio Zebral Filho (CDP Academic Director):

Integrity, Compliance, and Anti-Corruption Program

A one-week course to build government personnel's knowledge of how to combat corruption. Topics covered in this program include: "The American System of Criminal Justice," "The Social Costs of Corruption," and "Implementing the Inter-American Convention on Corruption." Participants also visit U.S. government agencies and non-governmental organizations dedicated to combating corruption, such as the Department of Justice, the Office of Government Ethics, the Government Accountability Office, and TRACE International, Inc.

After completing this program, participants return to their home countries having strengthened their knowledge by studying anti-corruption methodologies and policies used by government agencies and NGOs in the U.S. They can apply many of these ideas in their own countries.

  • For detailed information: Kevin Kellbach (CLAI Director)):

Regulation, Competition, and Anti-Trust Program

This one-week intensive course enhances the understanding of government officials regarding regulatory requirements and procedures. The course teaches officials about the fundamental principles and practices of regulation, competition, and antitrust policies. Participants attend lectures and presentations by experts on regulatory topics. Topics include “Combating Corruption in the Regulatory Process” and “U.S. Antitrust Policies.” Participants also visit government regulatory agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as well as private organizations that handle regulatory issues.

After attending this program, participants return to their countries having received practical advice and an international perspective on different regulatory philosophies and policies that they can apply in their own countries.

  • For detailed information: Kevin Kellbach (CLAI Director)):

“In Company” Courses

The CLAI Team can design a Washington-DC-based residential executive education program tailored to your needs in several business and policy domains. Please email us at for consultation.

MBA Capstone Courses

MBA capstone courses for Latin American business schools.

  • For detailed information: Kevin Kellbach (CLAI Director)):

CLAI Working Paper Series

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