EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State University will host expert discussion on United States-Canada border security and its impact on travel and trade between the two countries.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 10 in the Centennial Room of MSU's Kellogg Center.

Experts from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border will explore the important balance between security and economic issues, said AnnMarie Schneider, director of MSU's Canadian Studies Center, which is sponsoring the CN Forum. Key discussions will be based on the roles and responsibilities of researchers, policy makers and business leaders from countries with shared borders.

"The U.S. and Canada are each other's largest trading partners: Almost $1.5 billion in trade crosses the border every day," Schneider said. "One area that requires more discussion is Michigan's role as an efficient portal and liaison to the U.S. and how to maximize this as an asset. MSU is providing the forum for ideas on how we might move forward."

Additionally, the Border Research Institute and UB Regional Institute will present a benchmarking study of border efficiency along the entire U.S.-Canada border and at major cross-border regions: Detroit-Windsor, Buffalo, N.Y.-Niagara Falls and the Cascade Gateway between Seattle and Vancouver. The study assembles data on indicators of border conditions related to trade and infrastructure use. The presenters will show how the data can be used to guide policies that maximize the economy and security to benefit the U.S. and Canada.

Guest speakers presenting at the forum include:

*David Davidson, associate director of the Border Research Institute, Western Washington University *Kathryn Friedman, deputy director of the University of Buffalo, New York Regional Institute *Leon Hank, chief administrative officer of the Michigan Department of Transportation *Michael Kergin, former Canadian ambassador to the United States and senior fellow at the University of Ottawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs *Robert Noble, consul general of Canada in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky *Adam Salerno, senior manager, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and former business liaison for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security * Christopher Sands, Hudson Institute, senior fellow and affiliate of John Hopkins and American Universities; lecturer to U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security

Schneider said the conference builds on MSU's experience in trade, the environment and security as it relates to economic prosperity in Michigan. Recommendations and research needs that are specific to Michigan and identified at the conference will be compiled in a report that's expected to be complete in May.

In addition to the forum, a legislative reception will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Kellogg Center. Karen Phillips, vice president for North American governmental affairs for the Canadian National Railway, will be the keynote speaker.

Registration forms are available online at http://www.cnforum.msu.edu/ or by calling (517) 353-9349. E-mail registrations are also being taken at ippsr-action@ssc.msu.edu. There is no cost for attending the forum but registration is limited.

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