About the Center for International Studies (CFIS)
Mission
CFIS’s mission is two-prong. It is designed to promote
greater understanding about the United States and New Mexico in
the international arena, to raise New Mexico’s profile abroad,
and to facilitate the country and the state’s activities in
the international political, business and academic realms. CFIS
was also created to expand Americans’ knowledge of the world,
and in particular, that of New Mexicans.
Why was the Center created?
The idea to create CFIS
materialized before 9/11. After the end of the Cold War it became
obvious that there was a widening gap between the increasing global
role and responsibilities of the only superpower left and the diminishing
global awareness of too many of its citizens – particularly
its youth. 9/11 tragically illustrated the disconnect between the
US and important parts of the world. US military intervention in
Iraq has pushed the US image abroad to an unprecedented low.
Status and Objectives
The Center is a non profit
organization with the focus on international
studies. Its goal is to facilitate and
expand communication and interaction of Americans and US institutions with their
foreign counterparts, and to help develop international educational
programs which will contribute to the internationalization of the
American educational system. These programs will in the long
term help draw upon the best in Americans and increase their awareness
and understanding of the societies, cultures, governments, languages
and economies of the other countries with which we must find
a way to live.
Activities
CFIS’s activities are in the areas of international affairs/relations,
international security, international education and international
business. Its’ projects include Trilateral Response to Security
(in collaboration with SNL and NAMI) , Spanish/English Immersion
Program in Northern Mexico and New Mexico, Global Awareness for
Young Adults, ABQ
International Association and others.
CFIS Programs
Gaining Momentum: New Trends within US/NM
Hispanic Communities"
The Center for International Studies
is organizing a Forum (eight public lectures and discussions)
on the emerging trends among Latinos in the United States and
New Mexico. The main objective is to initiate a dialogue among
NM residents (Hispanic, as well as non-Hispanic) in order to
understand significant changes taking place within US/NM Hispanic
communities and their consequences for the country and the
state.