In February 2012, the Latin American Studies Program at George Mason University organized the event series EL SALVADOR TODAY: 20 YEARS AFTER THE PEACE. Twenty years ago, the government of El Salvador signed a peace agreement with leftist rebels, bringing an end to a 12-year civil war that resulted in the loss of over 70,000 lives. The event series commemorated the Peace Accords and reflected on the challenges facing El Salvador today.
On February 21st, George Mason held a screening of the film "Voces Inocentes," about the impact of the Salvadoran civil war on children. A discussion led by Modern and Classical Languages faculty Charlotte Rogers and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of El Salvador Hector Silva followed.
On February 28th, the Ambassador of El Salvador to the US Francisco Altscul delivered a keynote address to over 120 members of the Mason community. A panel of experts then discussed the legacies of the peace accords and current challenges in El Salvador, featuring:
Stanford University Professor Terry Lynn Karl
WOLA Program Director Geoff Thale
Foundation Cristosal Director Noah Bullock
S-CAR Dean Andrea Bartoli