Esther Kuisch Laroche: The Optimism of a multilateralist

On February 26, the coronavirus landed in Latin America when Brazil confirmed a case in São Paulo.

Since then, governments across the region have taken an array of actions to protect their citizens and contain the spread of the devastating respiratory disease called by the World Health Organization COVID-19. But, per July 2020, Latin America had become the region with the highest number of confirmed cases globally, accounting for more than a quarter of cases in the world.

Aside from the health risks, this disease has produced a huge economic impact as well.

The World Bank forecasted in June 2020 that Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole would see a GDP contraction of 7.2 percent this year.

By the time this episode was recorded, these figures had changed to show an even worrisome economic impact.

Beyond governmental aid to the underprivileged, it’s clear that, Latin America has been hardly-hit, by deep humanitarian, economic, and political consequences.

That’s what today’s Paris Talks guest wants to talk about.

Esther Kuisch Laroche is an educator and the current UNESCO Representative for Costa Rica, El-Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

In this episode, Esther is addressing the question the Season two of the Paris Talks Podcast has been asking.

If we were to start a New Normal, what and how should it be?

Welcome to the Paris Talks Podcast.

We’re trying to understand the post-COVID-19’s New Normal through inspiring stories and testimonies from innovators, community influencers and policy-designers.

Paris Talks is produced by Michael Bahati

Our theme song is Nipe Story (pronounced “kneepay story”) by Charmant Mushaga

Additional music is provided by Sumana Music and pixabay

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