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UCSD to celebrate the other Mexico'

Event next week will explore the nation's innovation

By Leonel Sánchez2011-02-02T00:01:40+00:00

Mexico's contributions in the arts, culture, science, business and philanthropy will be highlighted next week during a two-day event hosted by the University of California at San Diego as part of its 50th anniversary.

The goal of the event, which will feature a day-long symposium at UCSD, is to show a side of Mexico that has been overshadowed by the drug violence in the country.

"We think that the issues that have become the big headlines in the press are these ideas of violence, drug traffic organizations. Those are crucial but they are not what the agenda of the century is about," said Alberto Diaz-Cayeros, director of UCSD's Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies during a press conference at the Mexican consulate in Diego.

Diaz-Cayeros said the event will focus on Mexico's social development and innovation.

The invited speakers are internationally known Mexicans who are leaders in their fields. "These are all Mexicans who are the face of Mexico in the world," he said.

More than 200 people are expected to attend the event, which begins Feb. 9 with a dinner fundraiser for the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies Endowment, at the Hilton La Jolla Torre Pines.

UCSD has declared Thursday, Feb . 10, Mexico Day.

For more information and to register for the two-day event visit usmex.ucsd.edu

Scheduled to appear are:

Manuel Arango, a celebrated businessman and philanthropist, founder of Grupo CIFRA and of the Mexican Center for Philanthropy.

Rodolfo Dirzo, world-renowned ecologist and botanist and director of the Dirzo Lab at Stanford University.

Eugenio Garza Herrera, president of the Mexican Businessman's Council.

Diana Magaloni, director of Mexico's Museum of Anthropology.

Raul Padilla Lopez, president of the board at the University of Guadalajara and the University Culture Center.

Monica Patino, celebrity chef.

Cristina Rivera Garza, historian and top selling novelist.

Sebastian, international sculptor.

Roberto Servitje Sendra, chief executive director of Bimbo Bakeries.