The Center for Inter-American Policy and Research (CIPR) represents a cooperative effort of the Stone Center for Latin American Studies of Tulane University and the Centro de Investigación y Adiestramiento PolÃÂtico Administrativo (CIAPA) in San José, Costa Rica. CIPR is devoted to inter-hemispheric exchanges that will advance the production and dissemination of knowledge about critical policy issues facing the Americas as well as the deepening of academic research in these areas. Its aim is to stimulate contact between scholars and decision-makers working on the region at different locations and in different languages, enriching their production by enabling the confluence of multiple perspectives.

CIPR also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of U.S-Latin American relations outside of academia. For this purpose it intends to engage business and civic leaders as well as members of the broader community in discussions and exchanges about current events pertaining inter-American relations. CIPR considers that the current context of globalization provides interesting challenges and opportunities in this area, particularly for communities that have historically thrived on exchanges with the region.

CIPR will focus on contemporary issues of import to Latin America and inter-American relations. Although this implies a dynamic agenda that will constantly evolve, it will initially focus on three major areas of interest: human development, inter-American relations, and the future of Cuba.