Global Speaker Series

M.A. in Political Reporting – Columbia University, 2021; Diploma Superior, Migration Studies – Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales (CLACSO), 2020; B.A. in Anthropology – Columbia University, 2010

Understanding migration trends toward the U.S. southern border requires examining the post-pandemic boom, recent drops, tightening controls, and intensifying climate change. Central America is key to these evolving dynamics. Rich, who was based in Guatemala from 2013-2019, offers a balanced introduction to these debates. As an editor at Americas Quarterly, he covers Latin American politics, economics, and international relations. In Guatemala, he led EntreMundos, a local newsroom focused on migration, development, and conflict. He also directed WTBD cultural immersion programs, connecting U.S. students with rural and Indigenous Guatemalan communities to understand their development perspectives.

M.A. Transcultural European Outdoor Studies – University of Cumbria; M.A. Education – Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul; B.A. Pedagogy – Lutheran University of Brazil

Climate change, with images of melting ice caps and extreme weather, is often understood as an environmental phenomenon. However, the climate crisis is also deeply rooted in systemic social issues that shape our lives and impact the world. This presentation shares Latin American narratives that link the visible effects of climate change with underlying histories and inequalities, drawing attention to the inexorable link between social justice and environmental impact. We examine narratives of resistance, adaptation, and imagination to reveal inspiring approaches that address climate change with creativity and justice at the forefront. Ultimately, we explore how systems of education might evolve in response to these unprecedented times.

M.S. Water Science Policy and Management – University of Oxford; B.A. Chinese Studies – Colorado College

This talk critically examines contemporary development strategies and the shortcomings of current environmental responses, focusing on the shared rivers of the Mekong region. The proliferation of hard infrastructure solutions to environmental crises is demonstrably escalating conflict within the transboundary river systems, thereby severely limiting avenues for effective water diplomacy. We will delve into the profound implications of a “water blind” and apolitical approach to global climate change initiatives, exposing the significant violence and systemic injustices it can perpetuate. This insightful talk will further explore uneven power relations, the crucial politics of scale, the phenomenon of infrastructure-enhanced conflict, and the inherent dynamism and resilience of riverine ecosystems.

Dragons Training and Curriculum Director. M.A. Education and International Development, University of Sussex; B.A. Political Science & International Studies, Northwestern University. Christy has spent 1300+ days in the field as a Dragons instructor in Senegal, Madagascar, Rwanda, India, and Nepal.

Many of us would associate certain bold colored and printed fabrics with the African continent, though their history crosses continents. It’s a fascinating story that spans continents, from Indonesia to Holland and across Africa. We examine the current status of the fabrics – Where are they produced? Who wears them? Who makes money off of them? In answering these questions and exploring the complex stories behind this singular object, we see how interconnected our world really is and understand the ways in which colonial legacies continue to make their mark today.

Outreach Associate & Instructor in China and Taiwan, Maddie is a trail enthusiast based in Missoula, MT; M.S. Environmental Humanities, University of Utah; B.A.H. Anthropology, University of Cape Town; B.A. Anthropology, Psychology, Drama, and Chinese, Rhodes University.

Winding through the snowy peaks and high passes of the Hengduan Mountains and the Tibetan plateau, for many centuries the Tea Horse Road was one of the world’s longest, highest, and most important trade routes. Branching out in several directions, these ancient trails connected the tea-growing regions of Sichuan and Yunnan with Tibet, northern India, and Myanmar. Join Maddie to learn more about how this trade route, now teetering on the edge of obscurity, once rivaled the Silk Road in significance. Explore what life might have been like for the generations of traders who traveled thousands of miles across some of the world’s most relentless mountains, and discuss the historical and cultural impact left behind in their footprints.

Dragons Latin America Program Director. Postdoctoral Fellow in Afro-Latin American Studies, Harvard University; PhD in Social Anthropology, National Museum of Brazil.

This presentation explores how to travel consciously in a world shaped by climate change and social transformations. It highlights the role of outdoor and global education in fostering a deeper understanding of these challenges. The discussion emphasizes the importance of minimizing environmental impact, respecting local cultures, and developing a resilient and adaptable mindset. By integrating sustainable travel practices with experiential learning and respect for indigenous knowledge, the presentation aims to cultivate empathy, intercultural awareness, and a commitment to building a more just and sustainable future because, in a world where it can feel scary to go out there, the answer isn’t to hide in your bubble, but to engage more honestly with your surroundings. *Available in Spanish

Dragons Latin America Program Director. Postdoctoral Fellow in Afro-Latin American Studies, Harvard University; PhD in Social Anthropology, National Museum of Brazil.

This presentation examines the history and development of Latinx neighborhoods in the United States, with a special focus on the preservation of the Spanish language and the cultural connections with Indigenous communities from Guatemala, Peru, and Bolivia. It will explore how migration has shaped these neighborhoods and how Indigenous traditions and languages have been kept alive within these spaces. Additionally, the presentation will analyze the importance of these roots in Latinx identity and their contribution to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the country. Thus, this presentation will allow participants to explore their global community that lives at home and learn a little more about their connection to indigenous and Latinx communities. *Available in Spanish

Director of Programming at Where There Be Dragons. M.A. History, UCLA; B.A. Religion & History, UCLA.

The stress and anxiety of daily life can leave us feeling overwhelmed and trapped. Find out how travel can open the door to new experiences that help us reshape our reality back home. Rather than just another form of distraction, discover how traveling beyond your familiar home context–whether near or far–can help build a healthier relationship to your worries and unlock your joys. Pulling from the latest research in positive psychology, Aaron offers practical and proven tools to foster growth oriented mindsets through travel. A popular talk with students and teachers, attendees will walk away with a better understanding of identity formation, root causes of anxiety, and a greater awareness of our power to create a happier reality in big and small ways.