According to MIIS International Trade Club President Sean Manzano (MAIPS ’13), the “Trade and Conflict” theme of the sixth annual MIIS Trade Conference “encompasses the dynamics between economic viability and social stability.” Sean and the club have assembled an impressive lineup of academics and seasoned professionals in trade, intellectual property rights and social development to help shed light on how trade helps to alleviate or exacerbate conflict at the March 2 conference at MIIS.
For the first time, the Trade Conference will open with a lively student debate. The group chose the topic of China’s trade in Africa, and two teams of three students will represents opposing perspectives on that topic. “We think this is a good way to showcase the talents of MIIS students and provide them with a challenging opportunity to articulate their point of view on a complex subject,” says Sean.
Following panel discussions by two groups of guest experts regarding the consequences of trade for conflict, keynote speaker Gary Horlick will address the conference. Mr. Horlick is a Washington, DC-based international trade lawyer who has provided counsel as chair of several WTO and Mercosur dispute settlement panels. For additional speaker profiles and the full conference schedule, please visit the Trade Club’s blog. You can also register for the conference online.