TAMIU Confab Focuses on International Cooperation on the Environment

International relations and environmental concerns often center on contention and lack of cooperation. On February 11 - 13, the usual conflicts will be replaced with information sharing at Texas A&M International University during the 2004 Border Regional Environmental Conference: "Integrating Policy, Training, Education and Sustainability Science for the U.S.-Mexican Border Region."

The Conference was organized by the Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP), as well as TAMIU's Center for Earth and Environmental Studies, TAMIU's Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development and other environmental research centers along the U.S. - Mexico Border. Universities involved with SCERP include New Mexico State University, Arizona State University, Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, and Universidad Autónoma de Cuidad Juárez.

The three-day conference will present the applied environmental research of more than 12 universities from both sides of the border. It merges the SCERP's Annual Technical and Policy Conference with Texas A&M University - Kingsville's Fifth Annual Rio Grande/Río Bravo Environmental Conference, creating a wealth of information and ideas for those interested in border environmental concerns.

Virginia Vincent, associate director of TAMIU's Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade, said the cost would be $200 per participant, $100 for non-profits, and students can attend the lectures for free. She explained that the conference would be of interest to many.

"Anyone involved with border development issues or environmental management affairs will find useful information at the conference," Vincent said, "In addition, non-profit organizations involved with community and environmental advocacy as well as municipal, utility or natural resource managers should attend."

Vincent said tours would be conducted to introduce participants to both Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and Laredo, Texas and a pre-conference session on communicating research results to the media and governmental entities would be offered.

For more information, please visit www.scerp.org/04conf.htm or contact Vincent at 326.2827, visit offices in Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 206E, or e-mail vvincnet@tamiu.edu. University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.