Rector and other INCAE authorities will participate in the Extraordinary Meeting of Heads of State and Government of Central America, Belize and Panama

New INCAE high-level course supported by the World Bank will be announced at the meeting.

Alajuela, July 19, 2010.  INCAE Business School, through its Latin American Center for Competitiveness and Sustainable Development (CLACDS), and as a strategic partner of the World Bank in the region, has been invited to participate in the Extraordinary Meeting of Heads of State and Government of Central America , Belize and Panama to be held on July 20 in El Salvador in order to facilitate dialogue towards the formation of a renewed vision of integration in all its dimensions: economic, social and environmental.

The objective of the summit is to provide a renewed impetus to the integration process of the region and its motto is "Relaunching Central American Integration." The summit will serve for Heads of State, the private sector and representatives of Civil Society to discuss a renewed vision of regional integration and to set an agenda in this direction. The main topics to be discussed will be: the deepening of economic integration; the challenges of inclusive sustainable development; the fight against violence and organized crime; and disaster prevention and mitigation.

The event has the support of the World Bank, who through its President Robert Zoellick, main guest, has shown great interest in stimulating and deepening the Central American integration process. 

Arturo Condo, Rector of INCAE will participate in a private breakfast with President Zoellick of the World Bank and seven leaders of the Central American private sector, where the main challenges of integration will be raised from the perspective of private companies. On behalf of INCAE, Alberto Trejos, Full Professor, will also participate, who will be the moderator of a plenary meeting with the private sector and members of civil society, the results of which will serve to complete the new vision of integration.

For Rector Condo, the summit represents an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen the regional integration process. "INCAE is a regional institution that firmly believes that the integration of the countries in the area will contribute substantially to achieving the well-being that Central Americans require to have a prosperous and healthy life. Since the creation of INCAE almost half a century ago, we have traced the goal of contributing to the sustainable development of the region, and this renewed interest of the Heads of State is a step in the right direction. "

The summit will serve as a forum for the President of the World Bank to announce the Course on Regional Economic Integration taught by INCAE Business School and the World Trade Institute (Switzerland), which is part of the package of projects with which INCAE and the World Bank seek to strengthen the process of economic integration. This 5-week high-level course will be aimed at high-level leaders from the public and private sectors who will carry on their shoulders the task of executing the renewed vision of integration. 

If you want more information you can contact Victor Umaña, CLACDS / INCAE researcher or with Mauren esquivel from the Institutional Communication Department of INCAE at (506) 2437 2394.