In 2026, the World Political Analysis Laboratory celebrates 20 years of activity. These have been two decades of research, production of knowledge and development of new researchers focused on understanding the social, economic, political, ecological, technological and cultural transformations that the global order is undergoing in the 21st century.
To mark this significant milestone, on 28 August, LABMUNDO brings together a number of researchers who have been part of its journey to present the seminar The Collapse of Multilateralism: crises, reconfigurations and the role of the Geopolitical South at our headquarters at IESP-UERJ. Throughout the day, our team will host five panel discussions dedicated to analysing and debating the profound crisis facing multilateralism in contemporary geopolitics from perspectives including human rights, climate change, international cooperation and foreign policy, amongst others.
Read the full programme here!
Two decades of LABMUNDO:
Since its foundation at the Business School of the Federal University of Bahia (EAUFBA) by Professors Carlos R. S. Milani and Ruthy Nadia Laniado – who were soon joined by Professor Elsa Kraychete – LABMUNDO has established itself as an interdisciplinary research and teaching initiative in International Relations, comprising researchers pursuing distinct, yet yet intertwined, lines of study, with the aim of understanding and analysing the global landscape through the lens of the social, economic, political and cultural changes that have transformed the field since the late 20th century.
In 2011, the Laboratory also established a presence at the Institute of Social and Political Studies of the Rio de Janeiro State University (IESP-UERJ), dividing itself into two branches: LABMUNDO Bahia, based at the Professor Milton Santos Institute of Humanities, Arts and Sciences (IHAC-UFBA), and LABMUNDO Rio de Janeiro. At this time, Prof. Enara Echart joined the group’s coordination team, fostering close cooperation between IESP-UERJ and the Centre for Legal and Political Sciences at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CCJP-UNIRIO). Over the last few years, the Bahia branch has also welcomed Prof. Denise Vitale Mendes to its coordination, whilst Prof. Rubens de S. Duarte has joined the coordination of the Rio branch. In 2025, Prof. Pablo Saturnino Braga took over as coordinator of the Laboratory in Rio de Janeiro alongside Prof. Rubens Duarte, whilst the founder of LABMUNDO, Prof. Carlos Milani, assumed the role of Coordinator Emeritus of the group.
Since 2006, LABMUNDO has been an integral part of the lives and careers of dozens of teachers, PhDs, masters and undergraduate and postgraduate students, who shared various dreams and interests, leading to the creation of a network based on collaboration, solidarity and a passion for academic research.