Audio: Hispanics' Economic Contributions: Yesterday and Today

October 10, 2008

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, AS/COA hosted a discussion panel on October 10 about Hispanics’ economic contributions and how the financial downturn and growing unemployment rates affect them. Panelists also examined how the private sector can build on the potential of the Hispanic labor force and new entrepreneurs.

Speakers at the event included:

• Guillermo Linares, Commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Richard Alba, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York
• Jorge Ramos, Senior Anchor, Telemundo 47
• Sergio Galvis, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
• Rebeca Vargas, Senior Vice President, Head of Multicultural Segment, JPMorgan Chase Bank
• Christopher Sabatini, Senior Director of Policy, AS/COA and Editor-in-Chief, Americas Quarterly (moderator)

Listen a podcast of the panel discussion:

Download an mp3 of the panel's remarks.

This program builds on the AS/COA Hispanic Integration Initiative and the recently launched white paper titled U.S. Business and Hispanic Integration: Expanding the Economic Contributions of Immigrants. The white paper highlights a collective commitment by private sector leaders to the integration of immigrant communities and offers best practices for encouraging Hispanic workforce development and community integration.

Read AS/COA analysis on how the financial crisis deals a blow to immigrants in the United States.

See more in:  Southern Cone & Brazil, United States, Mexico, North America, Central America & Caribbean, Andean Region, U.S. Policy, Immigration & Remittances, Economics & Finance