First International Seminar
Central America: Democracy, Governability and Political Management

Overview

The Centro Interamericano de Gerencia Política; the Institute for International Professional Services and Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University; the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management; and the Political Management Institute of Universidad Rafael Landívar in Guatemala invite you to participate in the First International Seminar on Democracy, Governability and Political Management on August 10 and 11 in Guatemala City.

The seminar is the highest-level international event ever held in Central America on this topic. In addition to experts from the organizing institutions, participants will include representatives of Mexico's Institute for International Strategic Studies and other top Latin American specialists.

The program is designed for Central American and Mexican political and social leaders interested in running for office or holding public leadership positions, government officials, representatives of international organizations, mayors, members of Congress, political advisors, journalists and academics.

 
Content

Governing Our Democracies

Panels and lectures will address the challenges of democracy in Latin America, with special emphasis on Central America. Experts will propose new and effective strategies to improve governability in the region's democracies.

Topics of particular interest will include governability in times of crisis and government crisis management.

 
Give Yourself an Advantage!

The seminar will provide powerful tools for succeeding in the world of political competition. On the agenda are such topics as campaign strategies, including models for attack and defense; political communication by both the government and the opposition; basic political marketing concepts; strategies for managing municipalities; media management and public opinion surveys; and setting electoral targets.

 
International Presenters

Ralph Murphine (USA)
 
President of the Centro Interamericano de Gerencia Política and former president of the board of directors of the American Association of Political Consultants. Widely recognized as the leading North American expert in the field on Latin America. Experience on more than 500 electoral campaigns in the US, Central America and South America.

Eduardo Gamarra (Bolivia)
 
Director of Florida International University's Latin American and Caribbean Center. Author of several books and an advisor to Latin American governments.

Luis Raúl Matos (Venezuela)
 
Director of governability studies at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. Former finance minister of Venezuela and the creator of models to improve governability.

Roberto Izurieta (Ecuador)
 
Coordinator of Latin American projects at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. Presidential communication consultant.

Edgar Jiménez Cabrera (Mexico)
 
Former director of the Department of Social Science and Politics at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. President of the Institute for International Strategic Studies. Professor at European universities.

Jesús Gómez Espejel (Mexico)
 
President of Consultoría Estratégica. Vice President of the Latin American Association of Political Consultants (ALACOP), expert in political and government marketing with 18 years of experience. Campaign advisor to President Fox.

Julio Ligorría (Guatemala)
 
President of Iterimage Latinoamericana S.A. Consultant to Latin American political candidates. Director of ALACOP, vice president of the Centro Interamericano de Gerencia Política.

Carlos Escalante (Venezuela)
 
Executive director of the Centro Interamericano de Gerencia Política. Specializes in campaign management training and design of direct-contact campaigns.

Pedro Silva (Venezuela)
 
President of Política y Elecciones. Advisor to numerous political campaigns. Expert in electoral targeting techniques and government communications.

Other participants will include international-level Central American professionals.

Place

Conventions Center, Westin Camino Real Hotel, Guatemala

Address

14 calle 0-20 Zona 10, Guatemala City, Guatemala, Central America 01010
Cost to attend: US$160.00 until July 30. US$175.00 from July 31 through August 7.

SPACE IS LIMITED

Forms of Payment

• Credit card

• Bank transfer

• Transfer delivered by courier

How to Register

Contact: Mayaexotic SA, Guatemala City
Tels: (502) 362-82-52 to 54
Fax: (502) 362-82-55
Registration forms are available on-line at www.mayaexotic.com
e-mail: info@mayaexotic.guate.com

Accommodations

The organizers have secured special rates for seminar participants. Those interested in reserving a room should contact Mayaexotic at the address above.

Registration includes

• Four coffee breaks and two lunches

• Certificate of attendance signed by the Institute for International Professional Services and the Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University, the Centro Interamericano de Gerencia Política and the Political Management Institute of Universidad Rafael Landívar.

• A CD of seminar presentations.

For more information contact:
Political Management Institute (INGEP)
Universidad Rafael Landívar
Campus Central Vista Hermosa III, zona 16
Casa adjunta del edificio "O"
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Tels: (502) 2797979, 3692151 ext. 2519
Telefax: (502) 2797834
e-mail: ingep@mail.url.edu.gt