An expert panel discussed the future of the trade bloc, a coalition centered on free trade, economic integration, and foreign investment, as well as an eye toward Asia.

Panelists:

• Amb. Carlos Urrutia, Colombian Ambassador to the U.S.
• Barbara Kotschwar, Research Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics and Co-Author of  “The Next Big Thing? The Trans Pacific Partnership and Latin America,”  in Americas Quarterly
• Chris Ryan, CEO, Lakeland Industries
• Sidney N. Weiss, Attorney, Customs and International Trade Issues
• Eric Farnsworth, Vice President, Council of the Americas and the Americas Society (Moderator)

In celebration of Review’s new issue focusing on iconic and emerging writers in Latin America, Americas Society held a three-evening symposium of literary discussions, panels, and bilingual readings of original work by iconic and young writers from throughout the region. For the third night of the symposium, Americas Society hosted the launch of Review 86. The event featured comments by Daniel Shapiro (editor), and Carmen Boullosa (guest editor). There were also readings by Gioconda Belli (Nicaragua) and Luis Rafael Sánchez (Puerto Rico). Work by all these participants is showcased in Review 86.

Representatives of the private sector and educational institutions discussed the importance of human resource development, student exchanges, and labor reform for improving the competitiveness of Latin America’s labor forces and economies. Panelists talked about the current technological needs of employers and investors, gaps in education and training, mentorship programs in the workplace, the role of student exchange programs and the private sector, and Brazil’s recent Science Beyond Borders program.

Speakers:

• Peter DeShazo, Executive Director of LASPAU
• Sam Fouad, Americas Emerging Markets Leader, Ernst and Young LLP
• Deanna Laird, Global University Hiring Programs Leader, IBM
• Christopher Sabatini, Senior Director for Policy, Americas Society/Council of the Americas (Moderator)

An AS/COA panel discussed the latest developments of the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" immigration legislation. Speakers debated next steps for the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, as well as the potential effects of the legislation.

Speakers:

• Juan Manuel Benítez, Host & Executive Producer, Pura Política, NY1
• Muzaffar Chishti, Director, Migration Policy Institute Office at NYU Law
• Jason Marczak, Director of Policy, Americas Society/Council of the Americas (Moderator)

During his remarks at the 2013 Washington Conference on the Americas, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden gave an overview of U.S. goals for the Western Hemisphere during the second term of U.S. President Barack Obama. “It’s time, the president and I believe, to seek a much deeper engagement within the Western Hemisphere,” he said. “The Western Hemisphere has always mattered to the United States, but I think it matters more today because it has more potential than any time in American history,” he added.