Former Mexican President Calderón to headline Judson's World Leaders Forum
For the first time, a Latin American former head of state will headline Judson University's World Leaders Forum this spring.
Former Mexican President Felipe Calderón will be the keynote speaker at the fifth annual forum March 12, officials announced Sunday.
Calderón, who served as Mexico's 56th president from 2006 to 2012, will speak about the changing global economy during a community event at Judson's Elgin campus, and at a VIP reception later that night in Chicago.
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome the former president of Mexico to our campus," Judson University President Gene Crume said in a news release. "As current chair of the Global Commission, President Calderón is an innovative policymaker with an elite global mind. We look forward to learning from his worldly perspective next March."
The announcement was made at the Little Village Chamber of Commerce to coincide with the start of Chicago's annual Mexican Independence Day Parade.
"Bringing President Calderón to Judson is great for our region," said Julio Rodriguez, president of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. "With a population of nearly 2 million, Chicago has the fifth largest Hispanic community in the United States. We are excited to engage our members in this fantastic event."
Calderón chaired the G-20 conference in 2012. He was named "Statesman of the Year" by the World Economic Forum, and "Champion of the Earth" by the United Nations. TIME magazine dubbed him one of the top 100 influential people in the world.
In its first four years, the World Leaders Forum has featured former President George W. Bush, former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The goal of the forum is to offer Judson students and area professionals an opportunity to meet and learn from thought leaders with a global perspective. Funds raised through the event go toward scholarships for current Judson students and an endowment to start an entrepreneurial studies program at Judson.
The 2014 World Leaders Forum community event will be held at 2 p.m. March 12 at the Judson University Herrick Chapel. A VIP reception is scheduled for later that day at the Hilton in downtown Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. The presentations will be followed by question and answer sessions.
Limited seating is available for the community event with Judson students, faculty, staff and alumni given priority until Nov. 3, after which the public will be able to purchase tickets. VIP tickets also are available. For information, visit WorldLeadersForum.info.