Twelfth Annual MERCOSUR PROGRAM May 11 - 21, 2008

Is Mercosur in a trade bloc limbo? That is the question on most experts’ minds. 15 years ago Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay created a strategic economic and commercial alliance as a way to strengthen trade relations among member nations. With the newly inaugurated regional parliament, Parlasur, and the recent admission of Venezuela, Mercosur has turned into an increasingly political, rather than economic, bloc. Venezuela’s full membership in Mercosur has yet to be ratified by each of the congresses. Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s President, has threatened to withdraw from the bloc if members do not ratify its admission over the next three months. Brazil’s congress has stalled Venezuela’s ratification over Chavez’s decision not to renew the license of Venezuela’s independent private television. This antagonistic attitude from the Brazilian legislature is a step away from what was previously seen as a strong leftist alliance.

Experts differ on the outcome of this political crisis and how it is going to impact the Mercosur. Thus far, Paraguay has rejected Chavez’s ultimatum, considering it an insult to their sovereignty, while Uruguay is interested in pursuing a free trade agreement with the U.S., in full defiance of the Chavez/anti-U.S. South American alliance rhetoric. The strong political, some may say revolutionary, divergences among the members and the lack of harmonization of economic policies within Mercosur could jeopardize the bloc. Will the new Parlasur prove effective at removing existing trade barriers, or will it create further polarization among members?

*Program Fee: $5,000 per participant.

*Co-sponsoring Institutions program fees:
$4,500 per participant plus $1,000 co-sponsorship fee.

*Program fee includes round- trip airfare from Miami to South America (Argentina, Brazil & Chile), single occupancy lodging, program meals (two meals per day) and ground transportation within the cities.

PDIB Mercosur Program:
The Professional Development in International Business – Mercosur program is offered by the Mercosur CIBER Consortium: (TBA) and organized by FIU, CIBER programs form a powerful network focused on improving American competitiveness by providing comprehensive services and research to assist United States businesses, colleges and universities to succeed in global markets.

Program Objective:
The main objective of the PDIB Mercosur program is to raise US business professional and faculty awareness of the social, political, economic, and business environments that exist in South America. Topics include national economic reforms and adjustments, the opening of markets to the global economy, regional integration as a basis for global competition, the impact of these domestic changes on commerce with the US, and both regional and country specific business practices. The program in Brazil, Argentina and Chile will include meetings with business faculty from leading academic institutions, business executives from multinational companies, and government officials. It will also include cultural events and city tours.

Comments from participants:
“I began this trip with the preconception that Brazil, Argentina and Chile were a homogeneous block of countries – nothing could be further from the truth. To understand their cultural and economic differences one has to get on the ground, walk the streets, and talk to business leaders as well as common citizens. This trip provides that opportunity with the benefit of first class accommodations and organization. Gracias!” – Eric Powers, University of South Carolina.

“The CIBER Mercosur program provides a unique opportunity for participants to deeply enrich their understanding of three cultures/economics in a relatively brief period of time. It moreover sets a standard of excellence in terms of program coordination and balance of academic, professional and leisure activities in a cross-cultural setting. KUDOS!” – Richard Sansone, Valencia Community College.

“The Mercosur program was carefully planned and highly organized, which enabled the focus to be on education and interaction. Equally as important to the country and cultural education was the relationships forged with other U.S. faculty and administrators. Further, in meeting faculty and business people from a variety of countries, we had a much more personal experience than a standard tourist would have in Brazil, Argentina and Chile” – Mindy Kraft, University of Florida.

“Mercosur has a different meaning to me after this eye-opening guided trip. Three economies striving to advance face unique challenges, which were clearly introduced by knowledgeable speakers and passionate entrepreneurs. A learning and cultural experience that came together thanks to an oiled organization, timely coordinated to maximize the time in South America. The CIBER and domestic contacts did not lose any chance to be helpful and be always ready to help us and make our travels enrichingly pleasant” – Juan Carlos Molleda, University of Florida.

“The MECOSUR PDIB is a must for faculty members who teach international business courses and who have never been to Latin America. The company visits, talks by central bankers, meetings with business association and educators as well as the cultural events help you to not only understand the features common to Brazil, Argentina & Chile but also appreciate the major differences in these economics” – Ravi Dharwadkar, Syracuse University.

Host or Contributing Academic Institutions:
Brazil: Associacao Alumni
Argentina: IAE Escuela de Dirección y Negocios, Universidad Austral.
Chile: Universidad Nacional de Chile.

Program Travel Itinerary (Subject to Change):
Group will spend 2-4 days in each country Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Business Sessions and Cultural Visits will take place in each city.

Program contact information:

CIBER Mercosur Consortium co-sponsoring members: