The Extraordinary Chair "Margaret Atwood and Gabrielle Roy" was established on November 29, 2002. It seeks to promote and stimulate exchange at the highest level between eminent academics dedicated to the study of the different humanistic disciplines of Canadian culture, through joint research projects , courses, seminars, cycles of conferences, colloquiums and publications, among other types of activities. The Chair proposes to promote interdisciplinary exchange both in teaching and in research and dissemination. Margaret Atwood and Gabrielle Roy who, due to their prestige, preside over this academic space, constitute two pillars of Canadian literature. The first, English-speaking, represents an unavoidable reference in the contemporary literature of his country; the work of the latter, who died in 1983, marked a major milestone in the evolution of French-speaking literature in Canada. Both have managed in an outstanding way to reflect and reconcile the diversity and cultural richness of their people.

Participants: Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, Center for Research on North America and the Embassy of Canada in Mexico.

Creation agreement

The “Henry David Thoreau” Extraordinary Chair was created on March 10, 2004. Its main objective is to articulate itself as a space for academic collaboration between UNAM and the North American Embassy to promote the enrichment and expansion of the understanding of cultural life, political and economic power of these two neighboring nations, with full recognition of their respective identities and sovereignties. The name of the Chair represents a recognition and homage to Henry David Thoreau, a brilliant North American philosopher and writer, founder of civil disobedience to defend the freedom of people against the State and the market, the autonomy of indigenous communities in North America, the sovereignty of nations against imperialism and of people against slavery. His critical and emancipatory thinking left a deep mark on 20th century libertarian fighters like Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

Participants: Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, Center for Research on North America and the Embassy of the United States of America in Mexico.

Creation agreement

The Extraordinary Chair of Studies on the Americas was established on June 17, 2021. Its objective is to consolidate itself as an institutional space for research and dissemination of studies on relations, exchanges, and migrations that are established between different nations, societies, and cultures. , particularly in the North American region. The Chair seeks to discuss and disseminate the problems that arise from the relationships, exchanges and migrations that are established between the different nations, societies and cultures in the North American region, and their repercussions in the ever-changing contexts of globalization.

Participants: Institute of Social Research, UNAM / Center for Research on North America, UNAM / Center for International Studies and Research, University of Montreal.

Creation agreement