Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon to Teach at Harvard Despite Protests New America Media
go to original January 12, 2013

Calderón received a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School in 2000. (BBC News)

MEXICO CITY — Harvard University has confirmed that former Mexican president Felipe Calderón will assume a teaching position starting Jan. 28 at the university’s Kennedy School of Government, reports La Opinión. Calderón’s position will be for one year, through an academic fellowship.

The news comes on the heels of efforts by several advocate groups in Mexico and the United States to block Calderón’s appointment, criticisizing Harvard for selecting a “politician accused of the deaths of at least 60,000 missing and tens of thousands who have been displaced because of his war on drugs, which began on December 6, 2006.” Activists also launched an international, online petition through Change.org urging Harvard not to confirm the former Mexican president.

“We recognize that not everyone agreed with his policies or methods, as with all world leaders, but one of the fundamental principles of the Kennedy School and all U.S. universities is the free exchange of ideas,” said David Ellwood, director of the Harvard Kennedy School in a statement regarding the appointment of President Calderón.

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!