Symposium, street fair and expo highlight Mexico’s strides for economic growth

Mexico’s most visionary leaders, vibrant culture and extraordinary accomplishments will be on display for the “Mexico Moving Forward” symposium, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 3 at the University, California San Diego campus. This year’s symposium, “Charting a Path to Prosperity,” is designed to promote economic development in Mexico.

The hosts of the symposium, the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS), invites the community to engage with visionary business leaders, scholars and social entrepreneurs who will provide diverse perspectives on the current economic challenges in Mexico, what can and is being done to address them, and how these lessons can be applied globally. The panel will address issues pertaining to regulation, human capital, social protection, informal economy, and entrepreneurship.

“Mexico Moving Forward clearly underscores UC San Diego’s expertise in US-Mexico relations,” said Peter Cowhey, dean of UC San Diego’s School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. “The university’s proximity to the border and the internationally renowned faculty at IR/PS, perfectly positions us to produce transformative research with societal impact on Asia and the Americas––Mexico is a focus area of the school because the economic, strategic and human ties between Mexico and the U.S. have never been closer than they are today.”

The speakers will include Joel Suárez Aldana, CEO of GRUMA, the most globalized food company in Mexico and the worldwide leader in corn flour and tortilla production; architect Victor Legorreta, partner of an internationally renowned firm whose recent work includes projects in South Korea, Qatar, Greece, Egypt, the U.S. and Mexico; and Francesco Piazzesi, the found-er and CEO of a firm that provides sustainable community development and winner of the award for Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the Latin Ameri-ca World Economic Forum.

“We are inviting the community to hear from businessmen who have succeeded against all odds in sectors that you wouldn’t expect,” said Alberto Díaz-Cayeros, director of the Center of U.S. Mexican Studies. “We hope to promote a vision to create companies that sell commodities, that while being profitable, also have a positive societal impact.”

In addition to the symposium, guests will be able to enjoy the “Mexico Street Fair” in the IR/PS Robinson Complex plaza. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to enjoy musical performances, learn about exciting destinations in Baja California and check out displays on academic work and social involvement by UC San Diego students. In addition, free food will be served from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., guests are invited to join the symposium participants at the “Best of Baja” reception highlighting the culture and food of Baja California. This event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the government of Baja California and will take place at the International House’s Great Hall.

For more information and to register, visit http://usmex.ucsd.edu/events/mmf/