about the julio cotler program
Launched in 2024 to mark Obreal’s 20th anniversary, the Julio Cotler Program pays tribute to Professor Julio Cotler (1932–2019), a key intellectual figure in Obreal’s early years. Deeply convinced of the transformative power of higher education to address social inequalities, Cotler’s legacy continues to inspire the program’s purpose and spirit.
The program places youth participation at the heart of strengthening democracy and democratic resilience, fostering critical thinking and informed debate. Through knowledge production and support for practices that build critical thinking, it aims to help new generations discuss and develop responses to the contemporary challenges facing democracies in Latin America.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
The Julio Cotler Program is a structured, collaborative process that supports young researchers from an initial idea through to the public presentation and open-access dissemination of their work.
It promotes the circulation of evidence-based thinking on inequality, education, and democracy, and encourages dialogue among researchers, activists, advanced students, and public policy actors—contributing to stronger democracies across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Call for Proposals and Submission: Obreal invites young researchers, young activists, and people working in social and political organizations to submit proposals aimed at understanding and addressing contemporary challenges related to social inequality, education, and democratic strengthening. Proposals should be clear in their focus, relevant to public debate, and methodologically sound.
Selection, Mentorship, and Review: An academic committee selects a set of proposals and invites authors to develop them into an article, essay, or working project. During this stage, Obreal provides feedback spaces to strengthen analytical quality, methodological approach, and the coherence and consistency of arguments.
Recognition, Dissemination, and Open Access: The top-rated works receive financial support and are published online in open access. In addition, all selected participants are invited to take part in exchange and discussion activities with international experts.
Beyond individual outcomes, the program’s core value lies in community-building, fostering a network of emerging researchers committed to reflecting on democracy through dialogue and collaboration.
WHO IS THE PROGRAM FOR?
The Julio Cotler Program is aimed at young people from Latin America and the Caribbean who are at an early stage of their academic or professional trajectory.
It is especially oriented toward:
The program is designed as a space for mentoring, learning, and capacity-building, supporting young people who are taking their first steps in academic writing and research, or in political and social engagement, within the context of contemporary debates and challenges to democracy in Latin America.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
The Julio Cotler Program brings together recognition, peer exchange, and financial support, grounded in a sustained commitment to dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
In each edition, the program highlights the most outstanding works produced by participants, granting special recognition and ensuring open-access publication. These awards aim to encourage rigor and quality, acknowledge sustained effort throughout the process, and strengthen the program’s collective dimension.
EVALUATION COMMITTEE
The Julio Cotler Program relies on an independent evaluation committee composed of academics and experts from diverse institutions, ensuring a rigorous and plural assessment process.
Martín Benavides
Former Minister of Education of Peru and current Director of IIPE-UNESCO
Adrián Bonilla
Former Secretary General of FLACSO and former Secretary of Education of Ecuador, current Executive Director of the EU-LAC Foundation.
Flavia Freidenberg
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Beatriz Padilla
University of South Florida and Instituto Universitario de Lisboa – ISCTE-IUL
Maria Herminia Tavares de Almeida
Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brasil
Patricia Ames
Instituto de Estudios Peruanos Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Ricardo Cuenca
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Eduardo Dargent
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Catalina Romero
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Patricia Salas
Former Minister of Education of Peru | San Agustín University of Arequipa
Marcos Novaro
Researcher at CONICET in Argentina and professor at the University of Buenos Aires and the University of Bologna, Buenos Aires campus
Andrés Malamud
Professor at the University of Lisbon and the University of Bologna, Buenos Aires campus
Awarded Articles
The Julio Cotler Program highlights and disseminates outstanding articles developed within each edition, contributing to regional and international debates on democracy, education, and social inequality.
Selected articles from completed editions are published online with open access once the academic process has been concluded.
Awarded Articles – 2024 edition
Access the published articles resulting from the inaugural edition of the program.
Awarded Articles – 2025 edition
Articles from this edition are currently undergoing a mentorship and revision process and will be published upon completion.
Program Editions
Each edition of the Julio Cotler Program is organized around a specific thematic focus, while maintaining a consistent commitment to critical reflection, academic exchange, and community-building.