37
Hay temas que 
se deciden no 
investigar 
o publicar porque 
son peligrosos.” 
There are topics that are not 
researched  or published because
it is dangerous.”
Estela Rivero, Senior Researcher and 
Co-Director of the Central America 
Research Alliance (CARA) 
“
Championing Academic Freedom in Central and South America
The International science and innovation 
conference CONICIETI 2024 at the 
Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana 
(UNITEC) in Honduras featured Pulte 
Institute Senior Researcher and CARA Co-
director Estela Rivero as a contributor to 
the dialogue and a leader of cooperation 
among academic institutions. Educators, 
researchers, students, and industry 
professionals from universities, national 
and international institutions, and the 
private sector were also in attendance. 
By promoting academic freedom in 
fragile democracies, CARA researchers 
strengthen an interdisciplinary research 
network that addresses challenges 
that often encounter self-censorship 
by researchers in Central America. 
Featured on the most-watched news 
show in Honduras, Frente a Frente, Rivero, 
along with three other CARA-affiliated 
researchers, discussed the threats 
to academic freedom and how public 
reactions to valuable research impact the 
fight against poverty.
“Hay temas que se deciden no investigar 
o publicar porque son peligrosos (There 
are topics that are not researched or 
published because it is dangerous),” 
Rivero shared on the panel.
Rivero added that conducting research 
is only part of an academic’s job; the 
other components— publishing and 
ensuring dissemination—convey the 
values of CARA and the Pulte Institute to 
Honduran citizens. Like any other place, 
living in Central America comes with its 
challenges and differing societal norms. 
This is a reality for intellectuals pursuing 
research that works to break cycles of 
poverty. Often researchers decide it best 
to refrain from publishing findings due 
to potential public and political backlash. 
Serving as a voice for the voiceless, CARA 
continues to conduct impactful research 
and disseminate findings. 
Most recently, this commitment has been 
demonstrated through its research on 
the drivers of migration and an evaluation 
of the Gang Resistance Education and 
Training (GREAT) program in El Salvador, 
Honduras, Panama, and Costa Rica led by 
CARA Co-Director Tom Hare. These research 
findings are shared with a broader audience 
through open seminars for academics and 
policymakers in the region and Washington, 
D.C., and international publications like 
The Conversation.
35 | 2023-24 Annual Review
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