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NACTS Perspectives

John Maisto

Former U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the Organization of American States

Ambassador Maisto has spoken and written extensively on U.S. policy in the Americas, U.S.-Philippine relations, democratic transition, hemispheric security, democracy, human rights, competitiveness, trade, economic development and education.  He is a director of the Miami-based U.S. Education Finance Group and a board member of the Washington-based International Student Exchange Program.  He is a member of the board of advisors of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C., and the Democracy Practitioners Network of the Organization of American States. 

 

Q: How does NACTS fit into ASU’s mandate of global engagement?

A: NACTS’ and Arizona State University’s opportunity with Tec de Monterrey is to show how educational institutions in North America, with all their diversity, can forge practical solutions to real world problems. Additionally, NACTS embodies horizontal outreach to the experienced private sector and former government officials.


Q: Why is it important for NACTS, ASU, and its partners to have an impact in Mexico?

A: The relationship with Mexico vis-à-vis the United States is analagous to North America’s relationship with Central and South America, and the Caribbean, and these two cutting-edge universities crossing two cultures can provide an important example for how to engage in today’s globalized world.


Q: What is the best way to think about how to proceed with this work?

A: The example of a modernizing northern Mexico and how it engages with the U.S. and is better integrated provides a vibrant example or the rest of Mexico, Central America, and South America. We can build on that.