Keynote speakers

Professor Maria da Gloria Gohn  is a sociologist and a Professor in the Faculty of Education, Univeristy of Campinas [UNICAMP], Sao Paulo, Brasil.  She is one of the leading researchers of CNPQ and the coordinator of the research study group on Social Movements [GEMDEC].  Through her work in these organizations she mentors, supervises and supports a new generation of researchers in the field.  Initially receiving her PhD in Political Science from USP in 1983, Professor Gohn undertook Post Doctoral Research at the New School for Social Research in New York.  Since 1974, she has dedicated herself to the research of Social Movements and has published widely in both English and Portuguese.  Her indicative publications are: A Forca da Periferia, Vozes [1985], Movimentos Sociais e Educacao, Cortez [1992, 1995 & 1998]; Historia das Lutas e dos Movimento Sociais, Loyola [1995]; Teoria das Movimentos Sociais, Loyola [1995]; Os Sem-Terra, ONGs e Cidadania, Cortez [1997 & 2000]; Educacao Nao Formal e Cultura Politica, Cortez [1999], MST, Midia e Terceiro Setor, Vozes [2000].

Pia Barros’ literary background includes the development of her own narrative as well as her teaching and editorial activities. She has published four volumes of short stories: Miedos transitorios (1986, 1989 and a bilingual edition in 1993). A horcajadas, 1990. Signos bajo la piel, 1995. Los que sobran (2002). In 1991 Cuarto Propio published her first novel: El tono menor del Deseo and in 2001 Lo que ya nos encontró, an interactive novel on CD. Her stories have been included in many anthologies in Chile as well as abroad. She has won various literary prizes.

Pia lectures in Narrative Techniques at the School of Journalism at the Universidad Bolivariana and has taught literary workshops at the University of Oregon as well as lecturing in North American universities and Germany. She is in charge of the Program for Chile of the Humboldt State University, California.

For more than twenty-five years, Pia Barros has encouraged the development of many writers and created spaces for feminist expression, especially within the so-called ‘80s generation’ of writers, of which she considers herself a member. She is the director of the ERGO SUM workshops and publishing house and a permanent panellist of the political TV program, ¨El termómetro¨, made by Chilevisión.

GOLPE

-Mamá, dijo el niño, ¿qué es un golpe?

-Algo que duele muchísimo y deja amoratado el lugar donde te dio.

El niño fue hasta la puerta de casa. Todo el país que le cupo en la mirada tenía un tinte violáceo.

COUP

“ Mama”, said the little boy, “ what is a coup?”

“ Something that hurts a lot and leaves a purple mark where it hit you”.

The little boy went to the door of the house. All of the country that could fit his glance had a violet hue.

Miedos transitorios, Santiago, Asterion, 1993, p. 25