BC Keynote Speaker Series Features Economics Issues Expert

Find out how closing the American border has affected border security, economy and foreign policy at the next International Bank of Commerce 2008 Western Hemispheric Trade Keynote Speaker Series at Texas A&M International University.

Edward Alden, an expert on U.S. economic issues, trade policy and homeland security, will present “The Closing of the American Border: Border Security, the Economy and Foreign Policy After 9/11” Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the TAMIU Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 111.

This event is free and open to the public.

Alden, the Bernard L. Schwartz Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, specializing in U.S. competitiveness, is an expert on U.S. immigration and visa policies, U.S. trade policy and the impact of homeland security policies on U.S. economic competitiveness.

Before joining the Council, Alden was the Washington bureau chief for the Financial Times and wrote about U.S. economic issues, trade policy and homeland security. He was also the Canadian bureau chief for the Financial Times, a senior reporter with the Vancouver Sun and managing editor of Inside U.S. Trade, a newsletter widely recognized as the leading source of reporting on U.S. trade policies. He won several national and international awards for this reporting.

Alden has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows as an analyst on political and economic issues. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, the Japan Times, the San Jose Mercury News, and the Toronto Globe and Mail.

Alden received his master’s degree in international relations from the University of California, Berkley, and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of British Columbia. Among his many academic awards are a Mellon Fellowship in the humanities and a Macarthur Foundation Graduate Fellowship.

The last lecturer for the 2008 Series is Dr. Karl P. Suavant with “Is there a backlash against foreign direct investment in the making? Some evidence from the Western Hemisphere” on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Amy Palacios, data and information specialist, at amy@tamiu.edu or 326.2820 or visit offices in WHTC 222E.

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