The Hertie Latin American Club (HeLAC) is a dynamic student association within the Hertie School, the University of Governance in Berlin. As a globally renowned center for education, the Hertie School is dedicated to training future public policymakers and decision-makers from over 80 countries, offering master’s degrees in Public Policy, International Affairs, and Data Science for Public Policy, along with Doctoral and Executive Education programs.
The Hertie Latin American Club (HeLAC) is one of the university’s student associations, which came together by the initiative of the students with Latin American nationalities –which make up 15 percent of the total student body–, as well as others who have an interest and connection to the region. Founded in 2018, HeLAC actively promotes discussion on the realities and challenges faced by Latin America, actively engaging with the school’s diverse fields of study.
Lines of action:
Academic
- Motivating active discussions on Latin America through multidisciplinary working groups focusing on governance and the study fields of Hertie (Public Policy, International Affairs, Data Science, Public administration).
- Promoting Latin American issues within the curriculum of Hertie School.
- Organizing academic events and conferences focusing on Latin America, including experts, professors, stakeholders, the student community, and civil society actors.
- Organizing the Latam Conference 2024 – 2nd edition.
- Co-organization of events with universities, NGOs, foundations, and other civil society actors, both within and outside Berlin.
Advocacy
- Promotion of policies for Latin America: advocate for policies, campaigns, and international cooperation projects oriented towards the region, whether at the local, national, or international level, in themes of democracy and State, human rights, climate change, peace and security, and fair trade. Highlighting the potential of regional development programs.
- Establishing direct and cooperative contact with the embassies of different Latin American countries in Berlin.
- Strengthening networking connections with established European actors interested in working on Latin American issues.
Professional
- Promoting internships and job opportunities in Latin America and Europe for Hertie students and alumni through prior connections with government organizations, NGOs, and companies involved in Latin American issues.
- Promoting student exchange programs with universities in Latin America.
- Establishing mentoring and professional networks, enabling the service of mentoring programs for students and professionals with experience in Latin America. The goal is to strengthen the professional development of club members.
- Actively connecting students and alumni of Hertie interested in Latin America. Promote Alumni Chapters as talks and events with alumni.
Facilitating informal spaces to foster cohesion and networking between Latin Americans and those interested in the region.
Cultural:
Organizing, promoting, and sharing Latin American cultural events with relevant audiences, including the diasporas from Latin America in Berlin and Germany.
November 2023