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In 1999, under the patronage of Congresswoman Donna Christensen, the Institute of Caribbean Studies hosted the first annual US-Caribbean Legislative Forum at the Rayburn House Office Building of the U.S. Congress. The goal of the Forum is to explore legislative and policy issues of importance to the Caribbean American community, with the goal of affecting policy that considers our perspectives.
Congresswoman Christensen and Ambassador Kingsley Layne opened the 1999 forum, setting the perfect tone for the discussions by highlighting the issues affecting the U.S.-Caribbean relationships. Participants consisted of U.S. officials and policy makers and Caribbean American scholars and community leaders. Panelists included Congressman Phil Crane (R-IL), Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee and sponsor of the Caribbean and Central America Relief and Economic Stabilization Act; Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), a member of the Committee on International Relations; and Patrick McDuffie, Director of Caribbean Affairs, USAID.
The importance of the forum’s goal, forging a working relationship between the U.S. and the Caribbean, was underscored by the attendance of a representative from Vice-President Gore’s office, Lisa Mallory. Over the years, speakers have included Ambassador Richard L. Bernal, Chair of the Small Economies Working Group of Free Trade Area of the America; Dr. Eddie Green, Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM; Lael Brainard, Deputy Assistant to the President for Economic policy; Congressman Major Owens and Dr. Bilali Camara of the Caribbean Epidemiology Center. The tradition continued with the 2003 Forum being attended by six US Representatives including Congressman Charles Rangel, Tiffany Watkins from the White House and Meg Gilroy, Director for the Caribbean at State Department.
Current
2006 - INVEST CARIBBEAN:Building Partnerships for the Future
ARCHIVES
2005 - GROWTH WITH EQUITY:
2004 - DOING BUSINESS IN THE CARIBBEAN
2003 - In preparation |
