Plenary
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Time
Activity
Room
2:00 - 2:45 pm
Weighing the Options: Policy Solutions for Obesity Among Latinos
Latinos are among the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the US but face significant challenges regarding obesity and excess weight. Nearly half of Latino adults and 1 in 4 Latino children are obese, ranking among the highest rates across all racial and ethnic groups.
In the battle against obesity, numerous factors are at play; access to nutritious food, health literacy, access to preventative services, and dietary information are worsened by immigration status, language/cultural barriers, and socio-economic factors.
In this session, we will discuss potential solutions: improving access to anti-obesity medications, implementing effective school nutrition policies, imposing taxes on sugary drinks, and conducting health impact assessments of rezoning efforts.
This thought-provoking conversation will answer which interventions work. What doesn't? Will the problem get worse before it gets better?
Latinos are among the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the US but face significant challenges regarding obesity and excess weight. Nearly half of Latino adults and 1 in 4 Latino children are obese, ranking among the highest rates across all racial and ethnic groups.
In the battle against obesity, numerous factors are at play; access to nutritious food, health literacy, access to preventative services, and dietary information are worsened by immigration status, language/cultural barriers, and socio-economic factors.
In this session, we will discuss potential solutions: improving access to anti-obesity medications, implementing effective school nutrition policies, imposing taxes on sugary drinks, and conducting health impact assessments of rezoning efforts.
This thought-provoking conversation will answer which interventions work. What doesn't? Will the problem get worse before it gets better?
TBA
3:00 - 3:45 pm
A More Perfect Union? The Ongoing Struggle for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Latinos have always been an integral part of the American fabric despite facing persistent exclusion and division. Recently, civil rights progress has stalled and even reversed. The 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action mirrors a troubling trend sidelining diversity and inclusion efforts in universities, workplaces, and communities. With some companies scaling back diversity programs amidst legal uncertainties, initiatives aimed at fostering diversity have encountered setbacks. In public educational institutions, opposition to DEI initiatives has intensified debates on race and belonging, bringing culture war battles into the classroom. How do we counter this trend and advocate for a firm stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion? Join us for an enlightening discussion on the implications for Latino professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
Latinos have always been an integral part of the American fabric despite facing persistent exclusion and division. Recently, civil rights progress has stalled and even reversed. The 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action mirrors a troubling trend sidelining diversity and inclusion efforts in universities, workplaces, and communities. With some companies scaling back diversity programs amidst legal uncertainties, initiatives aimed at fostering diversity have encountered setbacks. In public educational institutions, opposition to DEI initiatives has intensified debates on race and belonging, bringing culture war battles into the classroom. How do we counter this trend and advocate for a firm stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion? Join us for an enlightening discussion on the implications for Latino professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
TBA
4:00 - 4:45 pm
If I knew Then What I know Now: Tools for Economic Prosperity
Many Latino communities grapple with persistent financial worries. Limited understanding of fiscal matters coupled with the unpredictable nature of the economy often result in poor credit scores, overwhelming debt, and a sense of disillusionment with the American Dream. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo aims to share the wisdom she wishes she had learned earlier in life with our community. Join us for an enlightening session on strategies for achieving economic success. We'll explore effective approaches to tackle pressing financial concerns including housing, retirement, healthcare, and debt management in today's economic landscape.
Many Latino communities grapple with persistent financial worries. Limited understanding of fiscal matters coupled with the unpredictable nature of the economy often result in poor credit scores, overwhelming debt, and a sense of disillusionment with the American Dream. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo aims to share the wisdom she wishes she had learned earlier in life with our community. Join us for an enlightening session on strategies for achieving economic success. We'll explore effective approaches to tackle pressing financial concerns including housing, retirement, healthcare, and debt management in today's economic landscape.
TBA
Friday, June 28, 2024
Time
Activity
Room
9:00 - 9:45 am
Beyond the Border: Urban Responses to Influx of Migrants
This session will be an engaging dialogue on the influx of migrants to non-border cities. For decades, major urban centers like New York City, Chicago, and Denver have stood as beacons for immigrants pursuing safety and opportunity in the United States. Recently, tens of thousands of migrants have arrived in these cities. This discourse examines the perspective of mayors dealing with this crisis and explores potential solutions.
This session will be an engaging dialogue on the influx of migrants to non-border cities. For decades, major urban centers like New York City, Chicago, and Denver have stood as beacons for immigrants pursuing safety and opportunity in the United States. Recently, tens of thousands of migrants have arrived in these cities. This discourse examines the perspective of mayors dealing with this crisis and explores potential solutions.
TBA
10:00 - 10:45 am
Navigating AI's Evolution and Its Impact on Latino Communities
Artificial Intelligence is not just cutting-edge tech; from Roomba vacuums to the virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and ChatGPT that we use every day, AI has already been around for over seven decades. However, in recent years, rapid advances have divided the “doomers” against the “accelerationists” over either the death of the human race or achieving the highest level of human efficiency. This stimulating session will discuss how AI breakthroughs impact Latinos’ personal data security, online safety, job prospects, fair voting, and our economy. Whether you're all about the latest tech or a bit wary of what the future holds, you'll find your place here.
Artificial Intelligence is not just cutting-edge tech; from Roomba vacuums to the virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and ChatGPT that we use every day, AI has already been around for over seven decades. However, in recent years, rapid advances have divided the “doomers” against the “accelerationists” over either the death of the human race or achieving the highest level of human efficiency. This stimulating session will discuss how AI breakthroughs impact Latinos’ personal data security, online safety, job prospects, fair voting, and our economy. Whether you're all about the latest tech or a bit wary of what the future holds, you'll find your place here.
TBA
11:00 - 11:45 am
Building Opportunities: Latinos and the Future of Infrastructure
Reliable infrastructure is paramount for economic growth, national security, and our daily lives, offering improved opportunities for all Americans in employment, healthcare, and education. Acknowledging the substantial contributions of Latinos as creators and beneficiaries of infrastructure is vital.
Equally important is recognizing the economic disparities and consequences of neglecting America’s infrastructure for nearly a century. These shortfalls have been felt more heavily in communities of color than the rest of the country. This fireside chat explores recent advancements in our nation’s infrastructure, addressing sustainable solutions to strengthen the economy for the future, with a dedicated focus on the pivotal role of Latinos in shaping the new economy.
Reliable infrastructure is paramount for economic growth, national security, and our daily lives, offering improved opportunities for all Americans in employment, healthcare, and education. Acknowledging the substantial contributions of Latinos as creators and beneficiaries of infrastructure is vital.
Equally important is recognizing the economic disparities and consequences of neglecting America’s infrastructure for nearly a century. These shortfalls have been felt more heavily in communities of color than the rest of the country. This fireside chat explores recent advancements in our nation’s infrastructure, addressing sustainable solutions to strengthen the economy for the future, with a dedicated focus on the pivotal role of Latinos in shaping the new economy.
TBA
1:00 - 1:45 pm
Embracing the Uncomfortable: An Honest Conversation on Climate Change
Recent natural disasters have highlighted the stark reality of climate change, significantly impacting Latino communities across the U.S. From California to New York, and everywhere in between, climate change has profoundly affected millions. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, 56% of U.S. Latinos experienced extreme weather events in their local areas within the past year, with 81% prioritizing climate action compared to 67% of non-Latinos.
Latinos bear a disproportionate burden of California's wildfires, Florida's rising sea levels, and New York's heat-related health issues. In Texas, Latino farm workers face heightened risks of heat-related health problems. Despite sustainable development efforts to tackle climate change head-on, persistent skepticism and delayed action frustrate progress, worsening the hardships endured by Latino communities. This session will address the urgency of mitigation efforts, emphasizing how prolonged inaction disproportionately impacts Latinos and what we can do to confront these challenges.
Recent natural disasters have highlighted the stark reality of climate change, significantly impacting Latino communities across the U.S. From California to New York, and everywhere in between, climate change has profoundly affected millions. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, 56% of U.S. Latinos experienced extreme weather events in their local areas within the past year, with 81% prioritizing climate action compared to 67% of non-Latinos.
Latinos bear a disproportionate burden of California's wildfires, Florida's rising sea levels, and New York's heat-related health issues. In Texas, Latino farm workers face heightened risks of heat-related health problems. Despite sustainable development efforts to tackle climate change head-on, persistent skepticism and delayed action frustrate progress, worsening the hardships endured by Latino communities. This session will address the urgency of mitigation efforts, emphasizing how prolonged inaction disproportionately impacts Latinos and what we can do to confront these challenges.
TBA
2:00 - 2:45 pm
Latinos and the Future of Voting and Civil Rights
In 2024, democracy is under significant threat, with voting rights hanging in the balance. Given the substantial influence Latinos hold in shaping election outcomes, it's vital to re-examine the state of voting rights in 2024. How does political illiteracy, lack of information on voting procedures, and voter suppression affect minority participation at the ballot box? What missteps have been made, and what actions can civil rights organizations take to tackle these challenges?
In 2024, democracy is under significant threat, with voting rights hanging in the balance. Given the substantial influence Latinos hold in shaping election outcomes, it's vital to re-examine the state of voting rights in 2024. How does political illiteracy, lack of information on voting procedures, and voter suppression affect minority participation at the ballot box? What missteps have been made, and what actions can civil rights organizations take to tackle these challenges?
TBA