The NAMI Migration Symposium
October 23-24, 2006On October 23rd and 24th, 2006, The North American Institute (NAMI) sponsored an international symposium to explore the various issues and potential solutions to the question of migration in North America. A complex, multi-faceted, trilateral problem, current government and media attention focuses almost solely on the perspective as seen from the U.S., rarely from the position of Mexico and almost never from that of Canada. NAMI, dedicated to exploring through conferences, seminars, symposia research and publications on critical trilateral issues and solutions, is in a unique position to offer even-handed and clear analysis of this sensitive and controversial s ubject. The Symposium, working over a two-day period, through interactive sessions and presentations will explore and attempt to answer such questions as:
Differing visions of migration in North America - can we find a continental solution?
v What are the most crucial issues to resolving the dilemma of secure continental borders and migration policies?
As post-election Mexico decides its future, how can its continental neighbors help it reach its economic and social goals?
Are there opportunities for using remittances to invest in Mexico's economic vitality? What other opportunies or intiatives might be used? How will microcredit complement traditional banking?
What does the Canadian cultural diversity experience offer its North American neighbors?
Border security for the continent - can we protet security without stifling the legitimate flow of goods and people?
Approximately 50 experts and luminaries from the three countries have been invited to participate and address these questions. They will provide a summary document at the end of their deliberations with potential solutions and methods for implementation and action. This will be made available for use and consideration by policy makers and leaders in all three countries.
Archive of the announcement and three press releases: first, second and third.
Image gallery of stills from the conference can be found here.
Select the links below to access all the symposium videos, powerpoints, and other files.
1. Welcome, Dr. Paul Maxwell.
(2 min., 5 sec.)Dr. Paul Maxwell, C.E.O Bi-National Sustainability Laboratory; President, N.A.M.I.
Setting the Scene on Migration in the North American Context, and Recognizing the Need to Renew Initiatives for Timely Reforms.
Powerpoint file(s) available [may also be in PDF format]: NAMI Welcome
2. Three National Perspectives on Needs and Opportunities.
(1hr., 4 min., 25 sec.)Edited video highlights of the presentation, Three National Perspectives on Needs and Opportunities, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Donna Lipinski, U.S.A.; Immigration Law Office, Golden, CO.
Geronimo Gutierrez, Mexico; Undersecretary for North American Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Peter Rekai, Canada; Rekai Frankel Somerleigh, Toronto, ON.
Migration from Mexico to the USA and from Overseas to Canada is Creating Unique National Pressures, Experiences, and Opportunities.
3. Keynote: Can North America Overcome its Differences?
(18 min., 58 sec.)Edited video highlights of the Keynote presentation, Can North America Overcome its Differences, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
R. Ted Cruz, Solicitor General, State of Texas.
Perspectives of a veteran GW Bush Administration advisor, now in leadership of State of Texas.
4. Dinner Address: Immigration and America’s Future
(31 min., 6 sec.)Edited video highlights of the Dinner Address, Immigration and America’s Future, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Frank Sharry, Exec. Director, National Immigration Forum, Washington, DC
Overview of the movement for comprehensive reform by a leader and lobbyist, a member of the Independent Task Force of the Migration Policy Institute, which recently issued Immigration and America’s Future: A New Chapter.
5. Can Remittances Fund Targeted Economic Development?
(1 hr. 13 min., 37 sec.)Edited video highlights of the presentation, Can Remittances Fund Targeted Economic Development?, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Steven R. Rivkin, Washington lawyer, N.A.M.I. Board (Panel Chair)
Mario Hernandez, Director of Public Affairs, Western Union, Denver, CO
Gary Dymski, Professor of Economics, U CA-Riverside, and Jesus Munoz Bandala, Professor-Researcher, Comision Nacional Bancaria.
Can $24 Billion sent to Mexico – this year – be the “engine of our common North American future?”
Powerpoint file(s) available [may also be in PDF format]: munoz-ppt.pdf
6. Cultural Diversity & Assimilation in Canada & the USA
(49 min, 51 sec.)Edited video highlights of the presentation, Cultural Diversity & Assimilation in Canada & the USA, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Tim Douglas, Mayor, Bellingham, WA; NAMI Vice President (Panel Chair)
Dr. Don De Voretz, Professor of Economics, Simon Fraser U., BC, Canada
Dr. Ilan Stavans, Professor of Spanish, Amherst College, MA, USA
Lessons and non-lessons for economic and cultural harmony and diversity.
Powerpoint file(s) available [may also be in PDF format]: devoretz-ppt.pdf
7. Assuring Security While Expanding Legitimate Flows of Goods & People
(1 hr., 5 min.)Edited video highlights of the presentation, Assuring Security While Expanding Legitimate Flows of Goods & People, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Dr. Paul Maxwell, Chair.
David Bradley, CEO Canadian Trucking Alliance.
Dr. Jon Amastae, Director, Center for Inter-American & Border Studies, University of Texas at El Paso.
Peter Ibarbo, Global Perspectives Integrated, Santa Teresa, NM.
Striving for Stability through Coordination Both Sides of Common Borders.
Powerpoint file(s) available [may also be in PDF format]: bradley-ppt.pdf, amastae-ppt.pdf, ibarbo-ppt.pdf
8. The Baja Boom
(7 min. 8 sec.)Edited video highlights of the presentation, The Baja Boom, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Patricio Ocio, Investor/Developer, Baja California
Perspectives of a lawyer, a mortgage-banker and a developer of recreational real-estate on investing in Baja as a means to stimulate local employment and deter the “decision to migrate.”
9. Practicalities of Homeland Security
(44 min.)Edited video highlights of the presentation, Practicalities of Homeland Security, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Dr. Robert Bach, Fmr. Dir. Of Policy, US Immigration & Naturalization Service (Panel Chair)
Tim Manning, Homeland Security Advisor to NM Governor Richardson
Col. Michael McDaniels, Homeland Defense, Michigan
Since 9/11, intense concern has risen in the US about border security, adding a new layer of complexity and danger to worker-migration.
Powerpoint file(s) available [may also be in PDF format]: mcdaniels-ppt.pdf
10. Canadian Views
(1 hr. 16 min)Edited video highlights of the presentation, Canadian Views, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Alain Dudoit, Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles & The Hon. Michael Kergin, Former Canadian Ambassador to the U.S.
Canadian interests, analogies, and contributions to North America’s common future.
11. Round-Up
(21 min.)Edited video highlights of the final presentation, the Round-Up?, at NAMI’s trilateral symposium on Migration, held in Santa Fe on October 23-24.
Dr. Robert Bach
Summaries of What Was Said, Calls to Action, Messages to the Peoples of North America, and Next Steps.
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