As concerns about disruptive imbalances in the global economy grow both nationally and abroad, and the U.S. public is increasingly engaged in the 2008 presidential campaign, we believe it is the right time to review what has worked and what needs to be changed in US economic policy.

In response to growing interest in the U.S. and the need for reform of trade and investment rules, this event will take a critical look at NAFTA as an integration model, with a particular focus on what has happened in the areas of agriculture, development and migration in North America.

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by sending an email to Maria@boell.org or call 202-462-7512 by Monday, March 3rd. Please indicate in your response if you will be needing simultaneous translation. Alternatively, contact Alexandra Spieldoch, aspieldoch@iatp.org or Liane Schalatek, liane@boell.org for more information.

Co-sponsoring organizations: Global Exchange, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Washington Office on Latin America, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Alliance for Responsible Trade, National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Institute for Policy Studies.

Schedule:

• 9 – 9:15
  Opening
  Liane Schalatek, Heinrich Böll Foundation North America
• 9:15 – 10
  Keynote: From NAFTA then and now toward a U.S. trade agenda that works for people, at home and abroad
  Introduction: Tom Loudon, Alliance for Responsible Trade
  The Honorable Marcy Kaptur, U.S. House of Representatives
  The Honorable Victor Quintana, Deputy of the State of Chihuahua, Mexico
  The Honorable Peter Julian, Member of Parliament, Canada
• 10 – 11:00
  Tri-national Roundtable
  Jeff Faux, Economic Policy Institute
  Juan Manuel Sandoval, Seminario Permanente de Estudios Chicanos y de Fronteras
  John Foster, North-South Institute/Common Frontiers
  Facilitator: Liane Schalatek, Heinrich Böll Foundation North America
• 11:00 – 11:15
  Break
• 11:15 – 12:15
  Impacts of NAFTA on food, agricultural production, and small and medium producers
  Steve Zahniser, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  Tim Wise, Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University
  Enrique Perez, ANEC
  Karen Pedersen, National Farmers Union, Canada
  Facilitator: Alexandra Spieldoch, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
• 12:15 – 1:00
  Lunch Break
• 1 – 2:15
  The links between NAFTA, Development and Migration
  Ricardo Salvador, Kellogg Foundation
  Raul Delgado Wise, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Mexico
  Laura Carlsen, CIP –Americas Program
  Facilitator: Ted Lewis, Global Exchange
• 2:15 – 3:15
  How is NAFTA being expanded? How does this relate to the broader U.S. Trade Agenda and Migration?
  Pierre Yves Seguinet, RQIQ (Quebec Network for Continental Integration) – tentative
  Alejandro Villamar, Mexican Network on Free Trade
  Gabriela Lemus, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
  Rep. , US Department of Commerce – tentative
  Facilitator: Manuel Perez Rocha, Institute for Policy Studies
• 3:15 – 3:30
  Break
• 3:30– 4:45
  What would a positive US agenda on agriculture, trade and migration look like? Some messages for Congress and Presidential Candidates
  Thomas Palley, Economics for Democratic and Open Societies
  Oscar Chacon, National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities
  Kathy Ozer, National Family Farm Coalition
  Facilitator: Vicki Gass, Washington Office on Latin America
• 4:45 – 5
  Closing
  Alexandra Spieldoch, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy