Mexico: Security and Prosperity

March 15, 2011, Prague

The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) of the Faculty of Economics and Public Administration of the University of Economics, Prague, in cooperation with the Respekt Institut and the Forum 2000 Foundation, organized the first International Virtual Forum on “Mexico: Security and Prosperity” in Prague on March 15, 2011.
 
According to a survey by Mercer Quality of Life, 12 Mexican cities ranked among the 50 most dangerous cities in the world. Alarming statistics show an increasing level of violence and deteriorating security in some regions of Mexico. Given that the Mexican economy is the second most important economy in Latin America, this is very disturbing. The forum participants focused on the socioeconomic impacts of this situation and discussed how it can affect the decisions of potential investors.
 
The Mexican Ambassador to the Czech Republic, H.E. José Luis Bernal, gave the opening speech of the conference. Other distinguished participants were Ivan Pilip, former Minister of Finance and the former Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Tomáš Hes, representing Electronic Loan Exchange Network, and Peter Zavadil, Foreign Editor of Czech Television. Also joining the conference via internet broadcast were Javier Trevino Cantú, General Secretary of the Mexican State of Nuevo Leon, and Edgar Olivas, the former Mayor of Delicias in the Mexican State of Chihuahua.