Regional Organizations and Policy Centers

Look to regional research groups for statistical information, policy briefs, annual reports and primary source materials.

La FLACSO (Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales) es un organismo internacional de carácter autónomo y regional, creado en 1957, por iniciativa de la UNESCO y algunos gobiernos de la región. Su principal objetivo es promover las ciencias sociales en América Latina y el Caribe.

El Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales (CLACSO) es una institución internacional no-gubernamental, creada en 1967 y que mantiene relaciones formales de consulta con la UNESCO. En la actualidad nuclea un total de 314 centros de investigación y programas de docencia de grado y posgrado en Ciencias Sociales radicados en 25 países de América Latina y el Caribe, en Estados Unidos y en Europa. = The Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO)  brings together 314 research centers and graduate and post-graduate training programs in Social Sciences located in 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, United States and Europe.

The Political Database of the Americas (PDBA) offers centralized and systematized information about institutions and political processes, national constitutions, branches of government, elections, political constitutional studies and other subjects related to the strengthening of democracy in the region.

The Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) specializes in the development, implementation, and analysis of public opinion surveys.

La Comisión Económica para América Latina (CEPAL) se fundó para contribuir al desarrollo económico de América Latina, coordinar las acciones encaminadas a su promoción y reforzar las relaciones económicas de los países entre sí y con las demás naciones del mundo.= The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) was founded to co-ordinate policies for the promotion of economic development in the Latin American region.

Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA), a nonprofit, tax-exempt independent research and information organization, was established to promote the common interests of the hemisphere, raise the visibility of regional affairs and increase the importance of the inter-American relationship, as well as encourage the formulation of rational and constructive U.S. policies towards Latin America

The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)  is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, with a strong commitment to achieve measurable results, increased integrity, transparency and accountability.

The Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research and Education Foundation (SHARE) works to strengthen solidarity with and among the Salvadoran people in El Salvador and the United States in the struggle for economic sustainability, justice, and human and civil rights.

CARECEN SF and CARECEN LA  provide vital direct services and advocacy to help create a vibrant and thriving Latino immigrant community in San Francisco, the Bay Area and Los Angeles region.

Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN) - el sitio oficial del FMLN, primera fuerza política de El Salvador.

The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) promotes human rights, democracy, and social justice by working with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to shape policies in the United States and abroad.

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) serves as a policy and research resource for visionary social justice movements.

The Center for International Policy (CIP) is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Through advocacy and policy research, CIP promotes transparency and accountability in U.S. foreign policy, while advocating a foreign policy that promotes international cooperation, demilitarization and respect for human rights.

The Latin America Working Group (LAWG) leads one of the nation's longest-standing coalitions dedicated to foreign policy. LAWG and its sister organization, the Latin America Working Group Education Fund, work with over 60 major religious, humanitarian, grassroots and policy organizations to directly influence decision makers in Washington DC.

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.  CRF publications include Foreign Affairs, policy briefs (CSRs), and Task Force Reports.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is a U.S. Government agency implementing important foreign assistance programs throughout the region. The Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) oversees 16 bilateral missions, 4 regional programs, and Washington-based programs for Cuba.

The World Bank is comprised of two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). The IBRD aims to reduce poverty in middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries, while IDA focuses exclusively on the world’s poorest countries.  See: The World Bank: Latin America & Caribbean.

The Organization of American States (OAS) brings together all 35 independent states of the Americas and constitutes the main political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the Hemisphere.

The Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC) seeks is to facilitate access to Internet-based information to, from, or on Latin America.  Browse resources by country, subject, or projects.  See also: Central American Regional Resources and Latin American Regional Resources.