Four upcoming events, two on April 26

Gabriel Silva Luján
Ambassador of Colombia to the United States

April 24, 2012
2:30 p.m.– 3:45 p.m.
Weaver Conference Center, Institute of the Americas

General public: $10
Institute members: FREE
Become a member

The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement will go into effect on May 15, clearing the way for increased trade between the two countries. During the April 14-15 Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, President Obama spoke of the “strategic alliance” between the two countries as Colombia’s consumer market rapidly expands and the country undertakes new infrastructure projects. Read more.

Brazil: Challenges and Opportunities
Informal conversation over box lunch with
Jacques Marcovitch

April 26, 2012
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Weaver Conference Center, Institute of the Americas

General public: $20
Institute members: 12
Become a member

Dr. Marcovitch believes the time is right for major Latin American economies to confront the challenges of global competition through integration in emerging manufacturing sectors. During this intimate conversation we will discuss:
• What the region can learn from Brazil’s challenges and opportunities.
• Opportunities for regional integration.
• Development of new linkages to strengthen innovation and consolidate technological capabilities in Latin America.
• “Green” and other business opportunities. Read more.

Connecting the Americas: Partners
for Prosperity
Conversation with John D. Feeley, Summit Coordinator for the U.S. State Department

April 26, 2012
6:30 p.m. — 7:45 p.m.
Weaver Conference Center, Institute of the Americas

General public: $10
Institute members: FRE E
Become a member

On April 14-15, leaders of the Western Hemisphere’s democracies met in Cartagena, Colombia, for the Sixth Summit of the Americas. John Feeley was there and can answer questions about the tiffs over Cuba and the Falklands as well as the close ties that were cemented between the United states and Colombia. Feeley, the U.S. State Department’s Summit Coordinator, was part of the inner circle and will share the inside scoop on the Summit and tell us what was significant and what wasn’t — a nd how the Summit will impact the nations of the Western Hemisphere. Read more.

The Republic of the Philippines is open for business
Conversation with Harry K. Thomas, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines

May 7, 2012
6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m
Weaver Conference Center, Institute of the Americas

General public: $10
Institute members: FREE
Become a member

The $390 billion Philippine economy is projected to grow 5% this year. Goldman Sachs includes the Philippines, one of the four Asian Tiger Cubs, in its list of the “Next Eleven” economies. The Philippines’ 94 million people are well-educated, speak English and are located in the most dynamic economic region of the world. Read more