PHOENIX, Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Azteca America and Fundacion Azteca America, both Grupo Salinas organizations, are proud to announce a partnership with Arizona State University's School of Transborder Studies and Voto Latino for the conference "Raising the Bar: New Thinking and Resolution to Issues of Mexican Migration," which is being held today at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
The conference will feature an appearance and opening remarks by actress and Voto Latino Co-Chair America Ferrerera, as well as welcoming remarks by Azteca America CEO Martin Breidsprecher.
"Raising the Bar" brings together experts, thought leaders and the public to develop regional approaches to some of the challenges laid out in the report, "Not coming to America: Why the U.S. is falling behind in the global race for talent," released by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Grupo Salinas Founder and Chairman Ricardo B. Salinas. The report examines strategic approaches being used in other countries to boost their economies, including recruitment strategies, and outlines six recommendations for immigration reforms in the United States.
"This conference is designed to create a new narrative about Mexican migration on the North American continent," said Carlos G. Velez-Ibanez, founding director of the School of Transborder Studies. Panelists and speakers for this event include Velez-Ibanez; Douglas Massey, Henry G. Bryan Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University; and Francisco Lara-Valencia, an associate professor in the School of Transborder Studies at ASU. The conference will be moderated by Armando Guzman, the Washington Bureau Chief for Azteca America.
"The issue of immigration continues to be important for the Latino community and Azteca America is committed to support conferences like this one that encourages thoughtful debate on the subject," said Martin Breidsprecher, CEO of Azteca America.
Of special note is conference participant America Ferrera, an actress known to many as the lead character in the television series "Ugly Betty." Ferrera is the co-chair of Voto Latino and the face of the America4American campaign. A non-partisan, nonprofit group, Voto Latino seeks to bring diverse voices into the political process and engage the public in conversations around voting, education and immigration. Voto Latino, Fundacion Azteca America, the public outreach arm of Grupo Salinas, and the group's Azteca America Network, which provides Spanish-language programming in the United States, are co-sponsors of this unique event.
"Voto Latino is proud to be working with Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca America, and Arizona State University's School of Transborder Studies to bring this important discussion to Arizona," said Voto Latino President & CEO Maria Teresa Kumar. "This conversation is particularly symbolic in Arizona where immigration has been such a significant issue."
About Fundacion Azteca America
Fundacion Azteca America is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for members of the Hispanic community currently in the U.S. Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca, Azteca America and Azteca are companies of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas. For more information, visit www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org.
About Voto Latino
Founded in 2004, Voto Latino is a dynamic and growing non-partisan organization whose civic engagement campaigns have reached an estimated 55 million Latino households nationwide. United by the belief that Latino issues are American issues and American issues are Latino issues, Voto Latino is dedicated to bringing new and diverse voices into the political process by engaging youth, media, technology and celebrities to promote positive change. Voto Latino has creatively and effectively used celebrity voices and the latest technology to register more than 120,000 young Latino voters, galvanize Latino youth and their families to be counted in the 2010 Census, and mobilize them to speak out and take action on policies impacting their lives.
About Azteca America
Azteca America engages Spanish-language viewers by creating unique, passionate and enlightening content that is relevant to the daily lives of our audience. Wholly owned by Mexican broadcaster Azteca, S.A.B de C.V., the second-largest producer of Spanish language content in the world, Azteca America complements its Mexican programs with an innovative lineup of shows from third-party producers and distributors to ensure the finest programming for its audience. The company provides tailored, multi-platform advertising solutions for clients seeking to reach the most dynamic consumer group in the country. Azteca America is a Grupo Salinas company.
About Grupo Salinas
Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, building the Mexican middle class, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. These companies include:: Azteca (www.tvazteca.com.mx; irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Advance America (www.advanceamerica.net), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx) and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. Follow on Twitter @GrupoSalinas_GS.
Press Contact:
Daniel McCosh
011-5255-1720-0059
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com
SOURCE Grupo Salinas, Azteca America, ASU and Voto Latino