Beyond the Sunbelt: Southern Economic Development in a Global Context

April 13 and 14, 2008
The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is pleased to announce its annual interdisciplinary conference on the globalization of the southern United States. This year's conference, the fourth in the series Navigating the Global American South will bring together 200 academics, policy makers, and economic development practitioners from across the region and beyond.

The goal of the conference is to examine how global forces are shaping regional economic development strategies and to consider the best paths forward. It is a collaboration of UNC's Center for Global Initiatives, Center for the Study of the American South, and Office of Economic and Business Development and Quintiles Transnational Corporation.

Keynote lecture by Merle Black, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Politics and Government, Emory University
“Social Diversity and Politics in the Modern South”

Keynote lecture by Martin Lancaster, President, North Carolina Community College System
”Do Your Students Learn Hindi?”

Keynote lecture by Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University
“The World Grows Up: Competing with Real Competitors on the Global Stage”

Topics to be covered include:
1) Trade with India and China
2) Labor Migration and Demographic Shifts
3) Uneven Effects of Globalization Across Regions and Sectors
4) Environmental Concerns and Opportunities
5) Technology and Regional Economic Development
6) Education and Retraining

Film Presentation: “We Shall Not Be Moved- The Story of the Tillery Resettlement Community” 
Commentary and discussion with film director, Charles Thompson, Education and Curriculum Director, Center for Documentary Studies, Duke University
Listen to the story done on this film by Frank Stasio on WUNC's "The State of Things".

You can also read Peder Zane's story on the Global South in the Raleigh News and Observer.

And D.G. Martin writes about it in the Chapel Hill News and interviews Merle Black on WCHL.

For more information, please contact globalsouth@unc.edu.