International APEC conference at YSU begins Tuesday

Staff Report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University will be the site of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Tuesday and Wednesday. It will features speakers from around the world.

The conference, hosted by the East-West Center, is one of four throughout the nation and is intended to broaden the community’s understanding of the burgeoning relationship between the Asia-Pacific region and the United States.

The event, which will take place in YSU’s Williamson Hall, is titled “APEC and Youngstown: A conversation on the global economy and its impact on Main Street USA” and will include discussions on the issues affecting APEC countries and how cities like Youngstown can compete in the 21st century.

The event begins at 1 p.m. Tuesday and concludes at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Admission is free, but space is limited.

Those interested in attending should call Jennifer Mascardine at the Regional Chamber at 330-744-2131, ext. 12.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Tuesday, 1 p.m.

Eric Harwit, professor, Asian Studies, University of Hawaii and Adjunct Fellow, East-West Center, Honolulu: “Chinese and Japanese Investment in South and Southeast Asia: Case Studies of the Automobile and Electronics Industries.”

Jennifer Turner, director of the China Environment Forum, Wilson Center, Washington, D.C.: “China-U.S. Environmental Cooperation.”

Wednesday 9 a.m.

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, will open the day’s events.

Ambassador Ray Burghardt, director of seminars at East-West Center and former U.S. ambassador to Vietnam: “U.S.-Asia Relations: Trade and Politics in America’s APEC Year.”

• Panel discussion, chaired by Paul Sracic, chairman of the Political Science Department, YSU: “How does the APEC geography reflect on contemporary economic conditions?” The panel will include speakers that represent all the regions that comprise APEC nations.

• Chris McNally, associate professor of Political Economy at Chaminade University and nonresident fellow at the East-West Center: “Global Emergence of Sino-Capitalism: Rebalancing U.S.-China Economic Relations.