The CEU-CEFAS Institute of American Studies attended the Texas Policy Summit, a meeting of think tanks, with the participation of personalities from U.S. civil society and active politicians, held in Austin, Texas, on February 19th, 20th and 21st. CEU-CEFAS was represented by the secretary general of the CEU-CEFAS Institute of American Studies, Eduardo Puig de la Bellacasa, and the Institute’s international outreach officer, Yilian Ayala.

This annual meeting is organized by the Texas Public Policy Foundation think tank and was inaugurated by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, and by the Governor of the State of Texas, Greg Abbott. Both highlighted the importance of the Texas economy in the United States and the world, as well as the need to propose effective policies to control the irregular migratory flow that the state and the country continue to face along the border with Mexico.

Throughout the three days, representatives of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives discussed various problems that they detect in their local area, but which are common to others found in different countries. They also discussed the benefits and disadvantages of opting for nuclear energy, as well as how to prevent problems arising from drought or how to ensure freedom of education and parental choice.

The CEU-CEFAS Institute of American Studies has participated this year along with other Hispanic think tanks to share with attendees their vision of the problems facing Ibero-America and the opportunities for collaboration offered by the language and culture shared between Spain and the rest of Ibero-America.