PROFMEX-Consorcio Mundial para la Investigación sobre México

Mexico and the World
Vol. 11, No 1 (Summer 2006)
http://profmex.org/mexicoandtheworld/volume11/1winter06/Acknowledgements.html

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The study of the socioeconomic diversities and complexities of the United States-Mexico border cannot be developed from a single point of view. It requires bringing together the interests of various research institutions and the talent and disciplines of their faculties working as a team, as well as the invaluable financial support of generous donors. This publication has been made possible precisely by the convergence of these elements.

We are pleased to recognize the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC) and the Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF) for their cooperation in the analysis of regional economic development and U.S.-Mexico border affairs, unifying in a single publication the work and contributions of important faculty members.

The efforts gathered into this volume exceed what a single volume would ordinarily be expected to contain. It constitutes, we believe, a first step toward developing a vision of the Greater Los Angeles-Tijuana economic zone. Such a vision can provide an academic perspective for policy makers who need to comprehend the border zone's complexities in order to turn it into a better place for all. The research contained in this volume will, we are certain, lead to further important studies of this complex region. Further, we thank our institutions and their faculties for contributing to the building of academic bridges of communication and the construction of analytical channels to help bring this book to a fruitful conclusion.

Financial support is always important for turning research initiatives into academic reality. Invaluable funding was provided by UABC and the Sistema de Investigación del Mar de Cortes (SIMAC), enabling each of us to develop draft papers that could be subjected to critical analysis-which improved the research focus of everyone and everything involved in this project. We thank UABC and SIMAC for their trust in our initiative to advance regional studies of economic development.

Once a collection of ideas is brought together, the hand of the professional director of publications is needed to combine and refine the contributions. To Colleen Trujillo, Publications Director at the UCLA Latin American Center, we offer our profound gratitude for her outstanding editorial contributions and their high standard of professionalism. We express thanks also to Colleen for allowing us to build upon her experience and her insights, all of which helped us to complete this volume. Thanks also to Brenda Johnson-Grau for her efforts in getting this volume to print.

Gratitude is also owing to James W Wilkie, Series Editor of the Statistical Abstract of Latin America and of the Chair of the UCLA Program on Mexico, for his encouragement and assistance in the publication of this volume. We are also grateful for his brilliant introduction, which not only provides a clear description of what the volume is about and the contributions it makes but also presents some additional challenges for academicians as they develop topics for research that will address the issues posed by the bilateral U.S.-Mexico agenda.

ALEJANDRO MUNGARAY
SONIA LUGO MORONES
NOE AR6N FUENTES
July 2004