The CSIS Americas Program and the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development, in partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and its Pulte Institute for Global Development, invite you to join them for a hybrid panel discussion on democratic backsliding in Nicaragua and the role of the Catholic Church and faith-based society on Friday, Dec. 1, 10:30 am – 12 pm, at CSIS headquarters on DuPont Circle in Washington (1616 Rhode Island Ave., NW).
As Daniel Ortega’s regime has consolidated its power, the Catholic Church stands as the most trusted institution in Nicaragua and outspoken advocate for human rights. Ortega has perceived this as a threat, cracking down on the Church and arresting priests, most famously Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who remains a political prisoner today.
The panel discussion seeks to elevate voices on the frontlines of Nicaragua’s fight for democracy, including leaders of the Catholic Church and broader civil society.
Part of an ongoing series of work by CSIS on Nicaragua and its descent into authoritarianism, the CSIS Americas Program has convened several public and private events on the matter, including a launch event for a report on the treatment of political prisoners and a private meeting with former political prisoners. The Americas Program has also released numerous written pieces and podcasts analyzing the regime, its sources of support, and options for U.S. policymakers.
The Pulte Institute for Global Development, part of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, has supported researchers and civil society in Nicaragua for nearly a decade through its Central America Research Alliance (CARA). Before revoking the charters of most university and civil society groups in Nicaragua, CARA provided grants and capacity exchange for research on human rights in the country.
CARA continues to advocate for those in exile, including CARA member and former political prisoner Felix Maradiaga and academics and researchers formerly with prominent private universities taken over by the government.
Schedule:
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Welcome: CSIS Deputy Director and Senior Fellow of the Americas Program Christopher Hernandez-Roy
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Keynote remarks (by video): University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
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Introductory remarks: University of Notre Dame Keough School of Global Affairs Executive Director Maura Policelli
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Keynote remarks: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops President Archbishop Timothy Broglio
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Discussions featuring U.S. Commission Vice Chair Frederick Davie, Former Nicaraguan Presidential Candidate Sebastián Chamorro, Nicaragua Freedom President Rosalia Miller, University of Notre Dame’s Pulte Institute for Global Development Senior Researcher and CARA Co-Director Tom Hare.
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Audience questions and answers
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Closing Remarks
Speakers and Panelists:
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CSIS Deputy Director and Senior Fellow of the Americas Program Christopher Hernandez-Roy
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President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Archbishop Timothy Broglio
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President of the University of Notre Dame Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
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Executive Director of the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs Maura Policelli
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Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Frederick Davie
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Former Nicaraguan Presidential Candidate and University of Notre Dame Kellogg Institute for International Studies Visiting Fellow Juan Sebastián Chamorro
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University of Notre Dame Pulte Institute for Global Development Senior Researcher and Co-Director of the Central America Research Alliance (CARA) Tom Hare
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Nicaragua Freedom Coalition President Rosalía Miller