"The U.S. and Mexico: Problems and Prospects"

A discussion featuring:

- Harley Shaiken Professor of Geography and Education and Chair of the Center for Latin American Studies, UC Berkeley. Prof. Shaiken specializes in issues of work, technology and global production. He is the author of three books: Work Transformed :Automation and Labor in the Computer Age; Automation and Global Production; and Mexico in the Global Economy, as well as numerous articles and reports.

- Rafael Fernández de Castro, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Department of International Studies at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México. Prof. Fernández de Castro specializes in U.S.-Mexico relations, NAFTA, trade policy, and Mexican public policy. He is the author of The U.S. Congress: The Controversial Pivot of North America with Robert Pastor; U.S.-Mexico: The New Agenda, editor, and ¿Qué son los Estados Unidos?.

Wednesday, February 12, 4-6 pm
CLAS Conference Room

Analysis and photos of the event

Lorenzo Meyer
"The Consolidation of Mexico's New Regime: The Beginning"

Lorenzo Meyer teaches in the International Studies Department at the Colegio de México in Mexico City, where he also directed the U.S.-Mexican Studies Program. He will be teaching a seminar at CLAS from late February to late March entitled "The U.S. and Mexico: Conflicting Agendas. A View of the Present from an Historical Perspective." Prof. Meyer is the author of eleven books on contemporary Mexico and U.S.-Mexico issues.

Wednesday, March 5, 4-6 pm
Lounge, Women’s Faculty Club (map)

Analysis and photo of the event

Albert Fishlow
"Mexican Development in the Long Term: Is NAFTA Sufficient?"

Professor Albert Fishlow teaches at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Previously Dr. Fishlow was Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley and Dean of International and Area Studies. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs from 1975 to 1976.

Thursday, March 13, 4-6 pm
Lounge, Women’s Faculty Club (map)

Analysis and photos of the event

Chappell Lawson is Associate Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he holds the Class of 1954 Career Development Chair. His recent book, Building the Fourth Estate, addresses the role of the mass media in democratization, and his current research focuses on voting behavior in Mexico.

Monday, March 17, 12:00-1:00 pm
CLAS Conference Room

Analysis and photos of the event

David Bonior
"NAPU and You: The North American Parliamentary Union-
What It Is and Why We Need It"

David E. Bonior was elected to the 10th Congressional District of Michigan in 1976. From 1991-2002, Congressman Bonior was the Democratic Whip, the second in command in the House Democratic Leadership. Throughout his political career, Congressman Bonior made it a priority to work on a wide range of issues, including fair trade, issues affecting women, improvement of the education system, health care coverage for all, the environment, civil and human rights, and election reform. He currently is a Professor in the College of Urban, Labor & Metropolitan Affairs, Wayne State University.

Thursday, April 3, 2003, 4-6 pm
Maude Fife Room (Room 315), Wheeler Hall (map)

Analysis and photos of the event

Rosario Robles
"Mexicans Abroad: The Right to Vote and to Live With Dignity"

Rosario Robles Berlanga is the President of the Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD) and is the former Mayor of Mexico City from 1999-2000. She also served on the executive committee of the workers union at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México from 1988-1993.

DUE TO POLITICAL CHANGES, MS. ROBLES HAS HAD TO POSTPONE HER PRESENTATION. WE HOPE TO RESCHEDULE HER VISIT IN THE FALL. PLEASE CHECK BACK TO THIS SITE FOR UPDATES.

Latinos and the Political Process

A discussion featuring:

- Maria Echaveste, attorney and consultant in Washington D.C. MS. Echaveste served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Clinton White House, from 1998 to 2000. Upon leaving government service, she formed her own consulting firm, the Nueva Vista Group, focusing on public policy, strategy and advocacy.

-Article from Horizon Magazine, about Ms. Echaveste's role in the Clinton White House

Thursday, April 24, 4-6 pm
Home Room, International House (map)

Analysis and photos of the event

Robert Pastor
“North America: Vision or Illusion?”

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) dismantled barriers and nearly tripled trade and investment. However, it failed to address the development gap between Mexico and its northern neighbors, and it omitted any credible institutions to anticipate crises or shape a new partnership. Thus, instead of uniting to respond to Sept. 11, old habits of U.S. unilateralism and Canadian and Mexican ambivalence prevailed, endangering further integration. We need to plan for the second decade of NAFTA by developing North American solutions to continental problems and opportunities.

Robert Pastor is Vice President of International Affairs and Professor of International Relations at American University, where he established and directs a new Center for North American Studies and a new Center for Democracy and Election Management. Professor Pastor was a fellow and founding director of the Latin American and Caribbean Program at the Carter Center from 1985-98. He has written 13 books, including Toward a North American Community: Lessons from the Old World for the New.

Thursday, May 1, 4:00 p.m.
Room 370, Dwinelle Hall (map)

Analysis and photos of the event