The Center for Latin American Issues (CLAI)

We've dedicated a quarter-century to promoting Latin American growth and development, offering public- and private-sector executive education programs in economics, anti-corruption, regulatory policy, entrepreneurship, health, and tourism.

In memory of James Ferrer

Programs

The Minerva Program

Minerva Program participants master concepts in economics, finance, economic policy-making, regulation, and public ethics. The program provides a unique opportunity for Latin American executives to upgrade their knowledge of administration and to acquire the economic expertise necessary to advance public-private cooperation.

Upon completion of the program, participants return to their respective agencies more knowledgeable and better equipped to do their jobs, having mastered the tools necessary to accelerate economic progress in the 21st century. Almost without exception, “Minervistas” have quickly advanced in their careers, some to the highest level of their respective agencies.

The Minerva Program is now open to both public- and private-sector officials throughout Latin America.

For more information: https://www2.gwu.edu/~ibi/minerva.html

Minerva Research Papers: https://www2.gwu.edu/~ibi/pesquisas.html

Advanced Program on Economics, Politics and Policy in Latin America

A one-week course for emerging public leaders and graduate students interested in gaining expertise, developing leadership skills, and strengthening their professional networks in the US and across the region. The APEP Program combines lectures, simulations, and technical visits customized according to the specific interests of CLAI partners – such as macroeconomics, policy design, regulation, behavioural policy, or sustainability.

Topics covered in this program include: "Latin American Economies: Challenges and Opportunities," "The Political Economy of Policymaking in Latin America," and "Business Development and International Finance in the Americas," among others. Participants will be invited to participate in group exercises, role-play simulation and other team-based practices based on actual and fictional cases that help them apply their learning in real-world situations in strategic negotiation, scenario building, communication, influence and persuasion, innovation, and crisis/change management.

Participants also visit strategic business consulting companies for Latin America (i.e. LLYC, McKinsey and Co., BCG), public affairs offices of transnational companies (i.e. Microsoft, Meta), business associations, unions, lobby groups (to be defined according to class profile), political leaders in the Capitol (to be determined according to class profile) and – mainly – multilateral organizations based in Washington-DC, such as the World Bank Group, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Organization of American States.

After completing this program, participants return to their home countries holding a deep knowledge of the region and ready to apply many of these ideas in their own countries.

APEP Program can be implemented locally, in all Western Hemisphere counties, in collaboration with local counterparts, and delivered in Spanish.

Anti-Corruption Program

A two-week course to build government personnel's knowledge of how to combat corruption. Topics covered in this program include: "The American System of Criminal Justice," "The Social Costs of Corruption," and "Implementing the Inter-American Convention on Corruption." Participants also visit U.S. government agencies and non-governmental organizations devoted to combating corruption such as the Department of Justice, the Office of Governmental Ethics, the Government Accountability Office and Trace International, Inc.

After completing this program, participants return to their home countries having bolstered their knowledge by studying anti-corruption methodologies and policies used by governmental agencies and NGO's in the U.S. They can now apply many of these ideas in their own countries.

Regulatory Program

This two week intensive course enhances government officials' knowledge of regulatory requirements and processes. The course instructs officials in the underlying principles and practices of regulation. Participants attend lectures and presentations by experts on regulation issues. Topics include “Combating Corruption in the Regulatory Process” and “U.S. Antitrust Policies.” Participants also visit government regulatory agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as well as private organizations that deal with regulatory issues.

After attending this program, participants return to their countries having received practical advice and an international perspective on different regulatory philosophies and policies that they can apply in their own countries.

MBA Capstone Courses

MBA capstone courses for Latin American business schools.

CLAI Working Paper Series