U.S. - Mexico: University Partnerships for Prosperity

· I am glad to have the opportunity to join such a distinguished group of academics and Mexican and North American public servants at this conference.

· I know that Guadalajara is a great city and is surrounded by 5 vibrant municipalities. That it is also a center for important national and international conferences, that it is the capital of business and trade and the Heart of Mexican culture.

· This morning, I was in Mexico City. I have come here energized by the people with whom I had the opportunity to interact. From entrepreneurs committed to fighting the stigma associated with the HIV/AIDS virus to public servants in President Fox’s administration who are in charge of improving the transparency and accountability of the government to the citizens.

· I am happy to be here and learn about the advances of the program TIES, or ENLACES. The 37 current university partnerships supported by the government of the United States through USAID have achieved surprising results. The 9 new partnerships will certainly have the same impact.

· I am sure that during this forum, you will have the opportunity to exchange in detail information about the results of your partnerships as well as the challenges they face.

· The power of ideas is very strong and the universities and institutions of higher education are the breeding grounds for the world’s great ideas.

· Ideas which lead to innovative research that preserves and improves the quality of life;

· Ideas which eradicate diseases and reduce poverty;

· Ideas which mould, test, and transform students into the best teachers, instructors, professors;

· And ideas which create state-of-the-art technology, new businesses, and new jobs.

· These are the seeds which we are seeking to sow with the ENLACES program in order to further strengthen the great ties which unite our nations.

· Collaboration between universities is one more of the linkages we hope to promote around the world.

· USAID and institutions of higher education started collaborating over 40 years ago.

· We have worked together in every region and almost every country in the world where USAID supports development and carries out humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.

· This collaboration has been important for the efforts of the Agency in achieving our development objectives. The institutions of higher education have been, and will continue to be, our partners and colleagues in this work.

· One of the most important ways in which we collaborate is through our university partnership program.

· Through this effort, we work hand-in-hand with North American universities and those of the host country to address critical needs for economic development, at the local, national, and regional level.

· Building and improving local capacity is a central principle of the work of USAID and the partnership program addresses that basic principle. Working with the country partners, we are able to design our programs in accordance with the local conditions and needs.

· We are also capable of assuring high levels of commitment at the local level, including the participation of the private sector. This increases the prospect for achieving the sustainable objectives which are essential for our work.

· Whether we are providing training, conducting applied research, or strengthening local institutions, university partnerships are a vital element of our work and addresses one of the foreign policy objectives of the United States: ensure economic growth and stable, democratic societies.

· Some examples:

· USAID-supported university partnerships in Afghanistan are playing an important role in the training and development of the workforce. They are helping to reconstruct and maintain the infrastructure of the country.

· University partnerships in Vietnam and Jamaica are providing training in information technology designed specifically for those markets and is leading to the creation of new employment opportunities for graduates of the technical schools.

· Partnerships between universities in the country of Georgia and the United States are providing entrepreneurial and leadership training to Georgian women who in the past perhaps had few opportunities, but now are finding work or improving their conditions, obtaining credit, growing.

· There are many more examples of how university partnerships are making a great contribution, but I prefer to continue talking about TIES and what I believe to be one of its most important facets. The power of ideas, resources, programs and cross-border cooperation, inter-institutional and intercultural.

· The funds which USAID provides for each university partnership is usually matched by the partner institutions, increasing the reach, impact, and sustainability of our efforts.

· The generosity and helping spirit of the people of the United States has no limits. The contributions by the people of the United States has been an important part of the aid and reconstruction efforts in the Pacific region following the tragic events of December.

· The Global Development Alliance of President Bush’s administration has expanded our efforts in finding new partnerships with businesses, civil society, and industry. This effort, introduced several years ago, has attracted the attention of organizations such as Chevron/Texaco, the Gates Foundation, Starbucks Coffee, and Merck to work together.

· I congratulate each and every one of the Mexico-United States university partnerships for their commitment and accomplishments to date.

· And I thank you for the opportunity to address you today in Guadalajara, the heart of Mexico.

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ALO collaborates with USAID through Cooperative Agreement: HNE-A-00-97-00059-00

This publication was made possible through support provided by USAID. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID.

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