Cultivating local economic development in a globalized economy is no easy task. Especially in Latin America—a region with no shortage of assets and challenges—the job is particularly daunting.

For his part, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa calls upon Minister of International Trade Diego Aulestia to help guide the transformation of Ecuador's economy through innovative growth strategies.

Aulestia will appear in Chicago later this month as part of a moderated discussion hosted by UIC's the Great Cities Institute (GCI).

Other panelists are set to include Laura Ortega-Lamela, executive director of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Illinois Business Council; Thomas W. Bartkoski, director of International business Development at World Business Chicago; and Raul Raymundo, CEO of nonprofit housing developer The Resurrection Project.

Entitled, “The Pivotal Impact of International Trade on Our Neighborhoods,” the  event will kick off of the GCI’s second annual “Cities Across the Globe: People and Places Across Borders” symposium.

Moderated by GCI Director Teresa Cordova, panelists will discuss how to address issues of poverty while simultaneously cultivating economic development and job creation in a global context.

The discussion will take place April 29 from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the Thompson Room of UIC’s Student Center West, 828 S. Wolcott Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information and to RSVP, visit greatcities.uic.edu.