Center for Latin American Studies

The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) at the University of California, Berkeley is an organized research unit dedicated to promoting research and understanding about issues affecting Latin America. Our primary mission is three-fold: we develop an active community of scholars and students on the Berkeley campus whose work is of importance to the region; we create linkages between scholars, policy makers, public intellectuals and other leading figures to develop new policy solutions; and we enhance understanding of Latin American cultures, politics and development strategies.