Perry Center and UNAM Faculty in Mexico City

May 15-19, the Perry Center traveled to Mexico City and Guadalajara to conduct seminars and other network and institutional building activities. Collaborating with professors Yadira Gálvez, Dr. Consuelo Dávila and Dr. Alejandro Chanona of the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s Department of Political and Social Sciences (UNAM), the Perry Center participated in “The Challenges of Security and Defense in the Americas: Facing Transnational and Transregional Threats” seminar for over 150 WJPC alumni, academics and professionals in Mexico City. In addition to lectures from professors Celina Realuyo and Boris Saavedra on the terrorism-organized crime nexus and cybersecurity, several members of the WJPC Mexico alumni community participated on a panel exploring issues on organized crime, arms trafficking and cybersecurity, providing insightful commentary and opportunities for future discussion.

A question being asked during Q&A at UDG

In Guadalajara, the Perry Center partnered with the University of Guadalajara’s Center for Economic Sciences (CUCEA) and the State of Jalisco’s Office of the Attorney General (Fiscalia General del Estado de Jalisco) for a two-day forum: “Emerging Threats and Hemispheric Security.” Professors Boris Saavedra and Celina Realuyo presented before a crowd of more than 120 alumni, graduate students, academics and security professionals on the complex web of global threats facing the region including terrorist groups, human trafficking, drug cartels, cybercrime and organized criminal groups. Additionally, the forum included several panels which addressed these pressing issues and explored the State’s responsibility and response to the emerging threats. Panelists were comprised of WJPC alumni and security professionals from Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey and San Salvador, El Salvador. The forum was streamed both days allowing well over 1000 viewers to participate online throughout the Americas.