Economist Pedro Vicente will present research involving vote-buying and violence in Nigeria. A draft paper is available at http://users.ox.ac.uk/~econ0192/violence.pdf.

In recognition of the urgent need for greater international cooperation on environmental and health issues, a consortium of organizations in the State of Michigan has organized a program designed to promote the development of a new level of cooperation between Michigan and China. The program will introduce representatives of national and provincial governments, environmentally concerned businesses and universities from China to the broad range of "green" business, research and government sponsored programs which have potential for helping China manage its environmental challenges. The State of Michigan, under the leadership of Governor Jennifer Granholm, has launched a broad policy initiative to help Michigan industry and universities become global leaders in providing answers to the challenges of climate change. Michigan's century old world class manufacturing expertise is being redesigned to promote the "green economy." Developing mutually beneficial economic relationships with China is a key component of achieving this goal.

The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. In this role, the GB Club is dedicated to supporting global business growth of the State of Michigan and its diverse manufacturing and service organizations. The main activity of the GB Club is the luncheon speaker series.

The 6th Annual Greater China Supply Chain Forum is organized by The Broad China Business Society (BCBS), a completely student-run organization which aims to promote awareness of the global business environment among students, educators, and professionals. The theme of this year's forum is "Michigan and China, Supply Chain Partners in Environmental Sustainability."

Speaker: Dr. David Cole, Chairman, Center for Automotive Research

The Research Institute for Industrial Economics (IFN), The Leverhulme Centre for Research on Globalisation and Economic Policy and CIBER at Michigan State University has arranged a workshop on globalization and labor markets. Trade models with heterogeneous firms have been a major focus of research for the past decade. More recently, some trade theorists have begun to enrich these models by incorporating heterogeneity in the labor market as well. Such research holds the potential to uncover connections between the nexus of worker and firm decisions with characteristics of the global environment. The idea of the workshop was to bring together a small group of theorists who are working on such models with empiricists who are familiar with matched worker-firm data sources.

Speaker: Dana Johnson, Chief Economist, Comerica Bank

ICIS is the premier international conference on information systems

Speaker, Mark Hollis, Athletic Director, Michigan State University

The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade. The luncheons are open to the general public. Typically, about 100 business executives, public policy makers, and academics attend each luncheon.