CLAS has successfully brought together three transnational working networks:

The U.S.–Mexico Futures Forum

The U.S. and Mexico are united by a shared geography, an overlapping history, a rapidly growing trade relationship, intertwined cultures and increasingly linked politics. In the context of a 2,000 mile shared border and a common continent, these very factors that so closely tie both countries can sharply divide them.

The U.S.–Mexico Futures Forum embodies three important features that are designed to address the future of the U.S.–Mexico relationship in innovative ways. First, the Forum brings together a unique set of actors, including policy makers, public intellectuals, academics and social leaders. Some bring considerable experience about Mexico and the U.S.–Mexico relationship; others bring key ideas in related areas. Second, the Forum explores not only the evolving interactions of two governments—as important as these issues are—but also the ways in which the powerful forces uniting and dividing these two countries are experienced on regional and local levels, in different economic sectors and among various social groups. Finally, the Forum brings together not simply important actors today, but individuals who will likely be shaping policy, ideas and U.S.–Mexican relations in the future.

In November of 2002 we assembled nearly 30 individuals from both countries for our first working meeting in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The panel discussed the state of U.S.–Mexico relations, raised innovative future possibilities and defined the Forum’s working agenda. The second meeting of the Forum will take place in California in the fall 2003. In the meantime, we are continuing an intensive program—public events, workshops, research and working groups—on the Berkeley campus

Network on Development, Labor Standards and Economic Integration in the Americas

A North–South divide has been an undercurrent for two decades in debates about unilateral U.S. laws on labor standards. Is the North–South divide unbridgeable, or are there ways to think through the role of labor standards in an evolving global economy that would generate new approaches to economic integration? Could such new approaches take advantage of the political opening generated by Seattle? Could those who advocate stronger labor standards in their own national contexts agree on a mutually beneficial approach to strengthening international rules within regional trading agreements or the World Trade Organization?

This project, launched in 2000, responds to these questions and proposes a strategy for building a North–South network within the Americas that could help break the logjam blocking agreements to strengthen international labor protections. The network includes policymakers, labor leaders and scholars from four countries (Brazil, Chile, Mexico and the United States). Members of the network are examining both global forces and local contexts, seeking to redefine the debate over labor standards and trade. A principal goal is to make participants more aware of the context in which labor standards are discussed in each country—broadening the common ground they share and more carefully delineating the differences that do exist—as a basis for defining the role labor standards might play in shaping global economic integration.

The final stage of the project will address dissemination activities in the form of a volume that includes framework papers; a newsletter that will appear in English, Spanish and Portuguese; and the publication of articles in policy magazines and academic journals, a Web site, and additional outreach by each network core member in his or her respective country.

The Rio Branco Forum on Brazil

At the beginning of 2000, CLAS began to build a partnership between the U.S. and Brazil. What we envisioned was the kind of partnership that requires policymakers in this country to rethink their assumptions about Brazil’s role, not just in the Americas, but in the world. In February of that same year, the first lady of Brazil, Dr. Ruth Cardoso delivered opening remarks at the Challenges for Brazil conference held in Berkeley. She called for collaboration in addressing the challenges that Brazil faces today. A step toward that goal was realized at the conference, which created the opportunity for some of Brazil’s prominent political and labor leaders to speak with members of Congress and labor leaders, as well as renowned academics. About 400 Brazilians and Brazilianists turned out for the event, including representatives of Brazil’s major newspapers.
Building on the success and the relationships established in February 2000, CLAS has maintained a sustained research and exchange program with Brazil that includes cultural activities, lectures and special courses. CLAS also houses the Rio Branco Chair of Brazil and the Mario De Andrade Chair of Brazilian Culture.