Participation in Expert Conference and Conference Debrief on Critical Raw Materials and Latin America

Call for Applications: Participation in Expert Conference and Conference Debrief

The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC, is commissioning the participation in an expert conference and a follow-up expert analysis in the form of an article on “The New Geopolitics of Clean Energy and Just Energy Transitions: Latin American Perspectives on the Industrial Policies of the U.S., China, and the EU” on October 15-17, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Fluency in Spanish is required.

Context

The global race for critical raw materials (CRMs) — such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements — has intensified as major geopolitical powers transition to renewable energy. These materials are crucial for manufacturing batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, and other green technologies:

• The United States has a multifaceted approach to securing CRMs necessary for its transition to renewable energy and to reduce reliance on supply chains dominated by China. This approach includes both multilateral initiatives, such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), and bilateral agreements with individual countries.
• The European Union also employs a comprehensive strategy to secure CRMs essential for its transition to a green and digital economy. Like the US, the EU's approach includes a mix of multilateral cooperation, regional frameworks, and bilateral agreements with third countries. Additionally, the EU is working to diversify its sources of CRMs, reduce dependence on single suppliers (particularly China), and foster sustainable and ethical mining practices.
• China has a dominant position in the global CRM supply chain, especially in the processing and refining stages. China uses its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to secure long-term supplies of CRMs from Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia by investing in infrastructure and mining operations. With its state-owned enterprises, the country also aims to control not only the mining but also the downstream processing and manufacturing of renewable energy technologies.

The race for CRMs has significant implications for countries in the Global South, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, where many of these resources are located. These regions face potential benefits, such as investments and economic growth, but also risks, such as environmental degradation, labor exploitation, and geopolitical competition. Several international and non-governmental bodies have raised criticism about the neglect for human rights and environmental standards that often accompanies major powers’ hunt for CRMs.

Deliverables

The expert will actively participate in the three-day conference and present their perspectives on the
issues discussed (with a particular view to the US-American and European strategies’ impact on Latin America). In coordination with the conference organizers, the expert will have dedicated speaking/presenting slots in thematic sessions related to their expertise. Upon participation in the conference, the expert will summarize the proceedings of the conference and submit their own expert analysis, giving an easy-to-understand overview of the relations between CRM strategies by the EU, China and the US and their impact on Latin America. The article should be informational in tone, outlining the potential benefits and challenges to the region and the potential role/levers of the EU, China and the US in setting the standards in CRM exploitation. The Heinrich Böll Foundation expects the article to provide European and US lawmakers, civil society and the interested public with background and a better understanding of the role of their institutions in the exploitation of CRMs. The brief can address a range of topics related to the conference, including,

• The revival of industrial policy in the US (IRA) and its socio-economic impact on Latin America;
• The “criticality” of mining and questions of accountability and human rights, labor and environmental standards in international CRM partnerships such as the MSP and BRI;
• National and international bodies’ role and power in ensuring accountability and human rights, labor, and environmental standards in CRM exploitation (e.g. the US-led MSP, Chinese BRI, the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, etc.);
• EU, Chinese, and US foreign direct investment in green industries as boosters of or challenges to local innovation;
• Regional dynamics and differences in tackling the green energy transition.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC plans to extend its programming on the subject of critical minerals and the impacts of European, Chinese, and US-American mining strategies on developing countries in 2025 and will use the insights gained from this conference and follow-up paper for that goal.

Details

• Expenses for traveling to the conference, as well as accommodation and meals are covered by the Foundation;
• The participant is expected to actively participate in all the sessions of the conference, including with prepared inputs to specific topics where possible – as some sessions will be in Spanish only, fluency in Spanish is required;
• The brief should be between 2,500 to 5,000 words;
• The reimbursement for active conference participation, debrief and expert analysis will be $4,200;
• The brief will be published first on the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC’s website and may be published on other Heinrich Böll Foundation office websites. The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC can work with the author to seek other outlets for publication;
• The final brief should be submitted to the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC by November 29, 2024.

Please submit your application by October 4, 2024 and include a US style resume, writing samples (at least two published articles), and a brief statement (no more than 300 words) on your interest in the role.

You may send questions to Remo Gassmann, Program Director, Global Development Policy at remo.gassmann@us.boell.org.

Please apply at BambooHR. Applications submitted elsewhere cannot be considered.