February 8, 2005

Borders And Trade In Latin America
To Be Discussed At UCSD Conference Feb. 24-25

By Barry Jagoda

A conference entitled “Homelands, Borders and Trade in Latin America: Freedom, Violence and Exchange After 9-11” will be hosted February 24-25 by the University of California, San Diego Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies.

While some observers view globalization as opening up markets and expanding trade in Latin America, critics condemn the globalized economy, citing growing social inequality and the privatization of vital services. Among the questions to be discussed at the UCSD conference are: Have borders become more porous to goods and capital but more punitive to people? How has 9-11 and the specter of violence changed this equation? Noted scholars holding diverse perspectives will debate the issues at this multidisciplinary conference.

Saskia Sassen, Ralph Lewis Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago will present a keynote address Territory, Authority and Rights: Towards New Crossborder Assemblages on February 24 at 5 p.m. Other panelists include Claudio Lomnitz, New School University; William Robinson, UC Santa Barbara; Roberto Alvarez, UCSD; Rossana Reguillo Cruz, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente; Christian Ramirez, American Friends Service Committee; Diane Nelson, Duke University; Nicholas de Genova, Columbia University; Ariana Hernandez-Reguant, UCSD; Roger Rouse, UC Davis; Elana Zilberg, UCSD and Ricardo Dominguez, UCSD.

The conference program is sponsored by a grant from the US Department of Education and is open to the public without charge.

The keynote address is scheduled for 5pm on Feb. 24 at Café Ventanas and the panels will be held beginning at 8 a.m. on Feb. 25 at the Institute of the Americas Complex, both on the UCSD campus. Those interested may reserve a seat by sending an email to Monica Arciga, by phoning (858) 534-6050.

Media Contacts:
Monica Arciga, (858) 534-6050, or Barry Jagoda (858) 534-8567