History
The Foro del Sur Foundation was conceived as a space where business leaders, academics, thinkers, and politicians could gather to engage in free and democratic debate with prominent figures such as Lech Wałęsa, Lula da Silva, Julio María Sanguinetti, Ernesto Samper, Enrique Iglesias, Michel Albert, Pierre Dabezies, Audrey Azoulay, Estrella de Diego, Celso Lafer, Jean-Paul Fitoussi, Salam Kawakibi, Bertrand Badie, Celso Amorim, Alberto Volonté, Leila Hashid, Caroline Fourest, and Christian Boltanski.
Over the years, the foundation has established itself as a significant forum where trust between participants fosters uncensored and constructive exchanges of ideas. Its traditional breakfast series, Café con Ideas and Café Internacional, offers attendees opportunities to expand their networks, enhance their social capital, and strengthen their ability to address major contemporary issues.
In 1995, the foundation launched the international politics journal Archivos del Presente, which has consistently influenced debates on current affairs since its inception, becoming the most representative voice on foreign policy in South America, recognized for its longevity and for the distinguished contributors it attracts. Together with this publication, Foro del Sur maintains a blog where a range of experts share their perspectives on recent global developments, reaching an audience of over 22,000 subscribers.
Since 2011, following the closing of the Prebisch Foundation, Foro del Sur has taken on the responsibility of continuing its activities.
In 2017, the foundation implemented a dedicated gender-focused program, which includes initiatives such as Las Argentinas Trabajamos (Argentinian Women, Work), Acelerar Igualdad (Accelerate Equality), AgendaxlaIgualdad (Agenda for Equality), and the groundbreaking Network of Rural Women, Indigenous Peoples, and Judicial Representatives for Climate Justice. This network, comprised of over a thousand leaders, works to bring judicial systems closer to addressing the challenges to survival in the region posed by global warming.
Foro del Sur considers culture a crucial tool for fostering greater integration among communities. To this end, it works to increase the visibility of artistic production and promotes critical thinking. Since 1996, it has organized art exhibitions, seminars, and courses, as well as published catalogs and art books. Among its publications is the Argentina Hoy series, where young curators share their research.
Since 2017, the Foro del Sur Foundation has promoted BIENALSUR. In 2025, its fifth edition will bring together more than 400 artists and take place in 70 cities across 34 countries on five continents, establishing itself as the most extensive cultural event in the world.
