Experts examine trends linking Wisconsin to global economy

Top scholars will address key issues surrounding globalization and its impact locally in a breakfast series entitled “Wisconsin in the Global Economy.”

The talks, sponsored by the La Follette School of Public Affairs and the Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy, begin at 8 a.m. at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

“Coming on the heels of last November’s Wisconsin Economic Summit in Milwaukee, these talks are particularly useful in helping define how Wisconsin can best position itself to compete successfully in a more complex and integrated world economy,” says Cynthia Williams, deputy director of WAGE.

Wednesday, Jan. 17: Professor Donald Nichols will speak on “The Knowledge Economy.” Nichols holds joint appointments in the Department of Economics and the La Follette School, and is well known statewide in business circles for his timely economic analyses. Nichols will suggest how Wisconsin can create new clusters of technical expertise and high-tech jobs to enhance Wisconsin’s position in the knowledge economy.

Wednesday, Feb. 14: Professors Patrick Eagan and Graham Wilson will discuss “Environmental Regulation.” Eagan has joint appointments with the Department of Engineering Professional Development and the Institute for Environmental Studies. Wilson is with the Department of Political Science and the La Follette School. The two scholars will offer views on how international organizations such as the WTO and economic forces are influencing regulation of various types of business, and how European countries are approaching environmental protection and what that approach means for business.

Thursday, March 22: Professor Gregory Shaffer of the Law School will discuss the potential roles of the market, legislation and the courts in balancing data privacy protection and economic expansion. His talk is entitled “Data Privacy Protection: Default Rules and Comparative Institutional Approaches.”

Wednesday, April 18: Charles Engel, professor of economics and of the La Follette School, will examine how international institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization affect the Wisconsin economy as well as facilitate economic and social development and stability in the global economy. His talk is entitled “The WTO, the IMF, and the World Bank: Why the Badger State Should Care.”

The series began in December with a talk by Donald Kettl of the La Follette School and the Department of Political Science on “Wisconsin Government in the World Economy.” Kettl, who is the chair of the Governor’s Commission on State and Local Partnerships for the 21st Century, illustrated how more and more public decisions around the world are devolving to local governments, with profound effects and implications locally.

WAGE, part of the University’s Madison Initiative public-private partnership, serves as a link between the global economic expertise of the University and state business and government. For more information, contact Ronnie Hess, director of communications and publications, Office of International Studies and Programs/International Institute, (608) 262-5590, rlhess@facstaff.wisc.edu.