After welcoming the audience, Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, Ph.D., President Emeritus of Miami Dade College, Concordia Leadership Council Member, and Chair of the Concordia Leadership Council Nominations Committee, turned the discussion to how and why Concordia will continue to deepen its focus on the Americas. H.E. Laura Chinchilla, Vice President of World Leadership Alliance–Club de Madrid and Co-Chair of the Concordia Leadership Council, announced that the University of Miami will host Concordia’s 2023 Americas Summit on March 9-10, 2023 in a new partnership intended to last three years. Dr. Julio Frenk, President of the University of Miami, expressed his belief that universities have a special role to play in convening thought leaders and driving progress. The University of Miami plays a particularly important role in the hemisphere due to its location and its ability to tackle big-picture issues like climate change, democratic erosion, and innovative social policies. Dr. Frenk explained that this partnership is valuable to mobilize intellectual capital in concordance with Concordia’s ability to convene across sectors.
Dr. Padrón asked Chinchilla to explain Concordia’s aspirations in continuing to focus on the Americas. Chinchilla expressed that the aspirations are big but realistic. One main priority is to strengthen the region by bringing together global knowledge. This partnership will be an opportunity to bring more ideas, information, and experience to bear in confronting Latin America’s most pressing issues. Padrón suggested that addressing the immigration crisis requires strengthening safety and economics in the poorer countries of the Americas. Dr. Frenk continued that Latin America had traditionally been an example to the rest of the developing world but the future outlook has changed thanks to the rise of populism, divisiveness, and a difficult experience with the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. and others can no longer take the region for granted and watch it continue to regress. Partners must work together to find the path back to a brighter future.
“Concordia will give us the opportunity to bring many parts to the table.”
H.E. Laura Chinchilla, Vice President, World Leadership Alliance–Club de Madri; Co-Chair, Concordia Leadership Council
“Educational institutions are central to uncovering discoveries that influence the development of cutting-edge technology.”
Dr. Julio Frenk, President, University of Miami
“Public-private partnerships are part of the big solution that we can bring to Latin America.”
Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, Ph.D., President Emeritus, Miami Dade College; Concordia Leadership Council Member; Chair of the Concordia Leadership Council Nominations Committee
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