CMAS Co-Sponsors Symposium on Lower Rio Grande Valley

“The Old Valley/New Valley: Analyzing the Past, Present, and Future of the Lower Rio Grande Valley” symposium is scheduled for November 4-7, 2009, at the South Texas College Cooper Center. Twenty presentations from scholars and experts from throughout the United States and Mexico will provide attendees unique and key information on the socioeconomic, cultural and political past, present and future of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the adjacent Mexico border region. Speakers include experts from the Federal Reserve, Texas Comptroller’s Office, Smithsonian Institution, Banco de Mexico, and scholars from various universities throughout the United States and the Mexican northeast.

Presenters will provide analyzes of the unique developments and trends from Spain’s colonial settlements in 1749 to the present Lower Rio Grande Valley/Mexico north as a border, agro-urban socioeconomic area. Five thematic areas will be addressed to provide audience information concerning population growth, economic trends, health care issues, cultural practices and educational concerns. Individuals and groups from both the private and public sector can utilize information presented at the symposium for various purposes including investment ideas, policy development (urban, economic, educational and cultural), and historical knowledge. Question and answer sessions will follow panel presentations to allow for an interactive engagement between audience members and presenters.