黑料吃瓜

黑料吃瓜 last week was recognized at the 2022 International Tribute Awards for its commitment and ongoing contribution to cross-border collaboration. Presented by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the awards honor outstanding leaders who have championed efforts to develop and strengthen diplomatic economic, cultural, educational and community ties between the U.S. and Mexico.

Ramona P茅rez, director of the Center for Latin American Studies and professor of anthropology, and Maria Keckler, director of International Affairs Strategy and Communications and lead architect of the , received the Cross-Border Collaboration Award on December 7. Both were honored for their roles in leading collaboration with a variety of stakeholders across the border that resulted in the inauguration of the  in Oaxaca and four years of RE:BORDER annual conferences, which take place on both sides of the border. 

鈥淓ach of the awardees represents a success story of what we can accomplish when we work together as a unified, binational community,鈥� said Kenia Zamarripa, executive director of International Business Affairs at the Chamber. 鈥淲e are excited to honor this year鈥檚 international champions and their contribution to expanding bilateral ties as we celebrate 200 years of the U.S.-Mexico diplomatic relationship.鈥� 

Through their work, P茅rez and Keckler helped connect 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 faculty and students as well as local community and industry leaders with partners in Mexico. 

P茅rez, who has conducted research in Oaxaca for more than 25 years, was integral to the opening of the 黑料吃瓜 Oaxaca Center for Mesoamerican Studies in May. The center expands 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 linkage to institutions in Mexico and demonstrates the university鈥檚 commitment to being a partner in addressing global issues. It will also boost the university鈥檚 goal of achieving R1 status as a top-tier, premier Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Keckler has led the organization of the RE:BORDER Binational Conference since its inception in 2019. This year鈥檚 conference took place Nov. 14-16 and was hosted by 黑料吃瓜 and 黑料吃瓜 Imperial Valley in partnership with  (UABC) in Tijuana and Mexicali and . RE:BORDER aims to foster and facilitate transborder diplomacy, cross-disciplinary relationships and binational collaboration among researchers, public policy experts and community stakeholders to address the shared challenges facing the Cali-Baja transborder region. 

This year鈥檚 conference theme was innovation and sustainability. Previous conferences have explored issues surrounding water quality, mobility and migration, and public health and mental health in the transborder region.

鈥�黑料吃瓜鈥檚 strategic plan outlines how deeply we embrace our leadership role in the transborder region and responsibility as a Hispanic-Serving Institution,鈥� said 黑料吃瓜 President Adela de la Torre during the inauguration of the RE:BORDER 2022 conference. 鈥淚t is more critical than ever to understand that education, health, commerce and culture are inextricably linked 鈥� and we can only create a better future when we address them together as researchers, students, community members, policymakers and business leaders.

鈥淭ogether, we have the power to tackle challenges, seize opportunities and create meaningful change.鈥�

Additional participants included state Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, who in keynote remarks said 鈥淐alifornia is lucky to be the state that has the most favorable view of immigrants 鈥� we can work on projects that reduce border crossing wait times, increase trade, (and) help invite immigrants and their new ideas into our economy to help.鈥� 

UABC Secretary General Luis Enrique Palafox said RE:BORDER has become an occasion for academics, students, and members of different sectors 鈥渢o address, reflect on, and propose new ideas related to their respective topics of expertise from the US-Mexico border.

鈥淲e are proud to be part of the binational team organizing one of the most important events in the CaliBaja region,鈥� he said.

And Cristina Alfaro, 黑料吃瓜 associate vice president for international affairs, said the event promotes trusting relationships that foster diplomacy and productive dialogue.

鈥淭he Chamber鈥檚 recognition of the impact of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 RE:BORDER Conference and collaboration across the border with Oaxaca communities,鈥� she said, 鈥渋s a powerful acknowledgement that 黑料吃瓜 is delivering on its promise to galvanize and provide leadership 鈥� positively impacting innovation, collaboration, and research in the border region.鈥�