Amnesty Round Table Forum Inaugurates University's New CSWHT Oct. 26

Texas A&M International University's newest facility, the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade (CSWHT), will hold an inaugural Round Table Forum, entitled "Challenges of Amnesty in the Global Economy," presented with support from the Laredo Chamber of Commerce.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 26, and is open to the public. Tickets cost $65, and include lunch. Seating is limited.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss a subject of great local interest with top dignitaries and respected academics in the field. The round table panelists include State Representative Richard Raymond, Dallas Federal Reserve Economist Pia Orrenius, Mexican Consul in Laredo Daniel Hernández Joseph and U.S. Consul in Nuevo Laredo Thomas Hart Armbruster. Dr. Wayne Label, CSHWT director, will moderate the discussion.

During the round table, the four panelists will have 15 to 20 minutes each to present their position on the issues. Dr. Label will then ask questions of the panel members, and the members can also ask questions of each other. After a short coffee break, the panel will address audience questions. Robert Krueger, formerly the ambassador to Mexico, Burundi and Botswana, as well as a U.S. Congressman and Senator, will be the lunch speaker.

Label said this forum will be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the CSWHT and the area community.

"We want to be viewed as an asset to the citizens of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. We're here to promote the cities and the University, put on events, round tables, conferences and speaker series that are of interest to the community. We'd like to have an open door allowing people to suggest topics they'd like to see that are related to western hemispheric trade," he said.

Possible topics for future conferences and discussions include cultural mobility, global Certified Public Accountant certification, environmental issues, international terrorism, international corruption, mediation certification, Global Partners, maquiladoras, and the Free Trade Area of the Americas. A two-day academic annual conference, entitled "Western Hemispheric Studies: Business & Economic Issues in the New Millennium," has been planned.

To reserve tickets for the round table forum, please call 956.326.2820. For more information on the CSWHT, please contact Label at 956.326.2828, visit offices in the CSWHT, room 203 , email wlabel@tamiu.edu or go online to: http://www.freetrade.tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu