PhD in Social Science, sociologist and human rights expert specialising in country conditions analysis related to political violence, forced displacement, and asylum claims in Latin America.
Occupation: Sociologist and Human Rights Specialist on Latin America
Countries of expertise: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
Dr. Harding earned a Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of Miami with specializations in Latin American Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis, and International Relations. His major professor and dissertation chair was the late Dr. Enrique Baloyra, a renowned Cuba-born scholar. Dr. Harding has held full-time academic appointments in Virginia, Alabama, and most recently Georgia, where he is the Professor of Political Science at Valdosta State University. He is the author of three books and several book chapters as well as over a dozen journal articles. Dr. Harding has been an invited presenter on Latin American politics in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. He has been a federally recognized asylum expert since 2018, working for asylum attorneys throughout the United States as well as the UK and and the Netherlands.
Occupation: Professor of Political Science
Countries of expertise: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
The Expert is the National Coordinator at Foundacion Scalabrini de Mexico (FSMX) NGO, leading a dedicated team of 50 professionals across Mexico in designing and executing impactful projects focused on migration, human trafficking, and children's rights in Central America. Throughout the years the expert has demonstrated expertise with federal, state, and international entities, including IOM, UNCHR, UNICEF and various embassies. The expert also works as University Professor at Universidad del Valle de Mexico, the expert delivers insightful instruction on strategic planning and international relations. He has held roles at the UNDP and the Consulate General of Mexico in Austin (U.S) which reflect a comprehensive skill set in advocacy, and bilateral relations, making a significant impact in protecting the rights of vulnerable populations.
Occupation: The expert is highly experienced and versatile professional with a strong background and advocacy within the realm of migration, human trafficking, and human rights. Proficient in designing, coordinating, and supervising projects within the NGO sector aimed at supporting vulnerable populations, particularly migrants and refugees. Adept at leading and managing teams to achieve set objectives and deliver results in line with donor requirements. Experienced university professor with a focus on strategic planning, international relations, and diplomatic affairs. The expert has extensive experience in both governmental and non-governmental sectors, including roles within the United Nations system, diplomatic missions, and private sector entities.
Countries of expertise: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
My work has equipped me to evaluate country conditions through a disciplined framework that considers security, governance, community dynamics, institutional behavior, and vulnerability in combination, rather than in isolation. My expertise is especially relevant where a case turns on whether an individual could reasonably obtain protection, safely relocate, or avoid persecution, serious harm, reprisals, extortion, gang coercion, political targeting, gender-based violence, or reprisals linked to family or community structures. I assess, where relevant, whether state protection is available, effective, and accessible in practice; whether criminal or political actors can act with impunity or informal protection; whether relocation within the country would be realistic and durable; how local factors affect the risk profile of the individual concerned; and whether socio-economic, ethnic, political, or family-based vulnerabilities materially increase exposure to harm.
Occupation: I am an experienced country conditions, security, governance, and conflict-affected environments specialist with substantial professional experience in international peace-support operations, civil-military coordination, risk assessment, security analysis, and field-based evaluation of fragile institutional settings. My work in connection with KFOR gave me direct exposure to the practical assessment of security conditions, ethnic and political tensions, freedom of movement issues, state and quasi-state institutional capacity, policing effectiveness, local power structures, humanitarian conditions, civilian vulnerability, and the interaction between formal and informal systems of control. KFOR’s role has long involved maintaining a secure environment, preserving freedom of movement,… Read more Countries of expertise: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela