Since the end of the recession in November 2001, U.S. workers have experienced slow job growth, stagnant wages, and declining benefits. These conditions have hurt the economic security of all Americans. Hispanics, the nation’s fastest growing minority group, have been no exception. In recent years, Hispanics have had fewer jobs, lower wages, less health insurance coverage, and declining pension coverage. Instead of catching up to other groups, Hispanics have remained behind. Some Hispanics, particularly Mexicans, have fallen even further behind. A strong labor market is an important first step in allowing Hispanics to improve their living standards, but the evidence suggests that this first step would need to be supplemented by public policy measures. A panel of experts will discuss the evidence on the labor market experience of Hispanics in the current business cycle and present public policy options that could help to substantially improve the economic situation for the majority of Hispanics.

On February 3, 2006, the Security and Peace Initiative (a joint initiative of the Center for American Progress and The Century Foundation), the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), and the United Nations Development Programme hosted a conference entitled, “Crisis of Governance: The International Stake in Sustaining Democracy in Latin America.” This one-day event brought together leading policy practitioners and experts from Latin America, the United States, and Europe for a candid discussion of the challenges to democratic governance in Latin America and approaches to strengthening democratic institutions.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) is widely known for creating Medicare Part D, a new outpatient prescription drug program for Medicare beneficiaries. However, other sections of the MMA -- notably the Medicare Advantage program -- could change Medicare in ways that may be less recognized than the Part D program, but are equally profound. Specifically, these changes, the nature of the drug benefit, and their effects on coverage that supplements Medicare could result in a large shift in enrollment to Medicare Advantage plans. This event will explore why this may occur and its implications for costs, quality and access to care.

Most people know “broadband” as an alternative to their old, slow dial-up Internet connection. But in terms of powering economies, broadband could be the 21st century equivalent of electricity. Broadband is about much more than checking your e-mail or browsing on eBay. In the near future, telephone, television, radio and the Web all will be delivered to your home via a single broadband connection. In the not-so-distant future, broadband will be an indispensable part of economic, personal, and public life. The countries that achieve universal broadband are going to hold significant advantages over those that don't. And so far, the United States is poised to be a follower—not a leader—in the broadband economy.

In the 21st century, Americans must no longer tolerate mediocre student performance and huge academic achievement gaps. Bold and innovative ideas being implemented at the state and local levels - such as extending learning time in high-poverty schools and districts - hold the promise of increasing student achievement and closing educational gaps. The KIPP Academy public charter schools and the state of Massachusetts are using extended school time as a key part of their strategy to prepare all children for the demands of a globalized economy. Without making better use of learning time, our nation's competitiveness and the strength of our democracy are threatened. Join the Center for American Progress and our distinguished panel for a discussion on extended learning opportunities, their demonstrated successes, and the challenges of implementation.

What were the experiences of journalists who covered the civil rights movement? In celebration of Black History Month, the Center for American Progress will examine the press coverage of the civil rights era as an influential agent of change. Is the civil rights movement an example of how media coverage is crucial for the progressive movement's success? Our distinguished panelists will share their personal recollections as recorders of one of the most crucial moments in our country's history. They will address how the media has changed since the civil rights era and what this means for people struggling towards equal rights now. The panelists will also tackle media accountability and how lessons from the past apply to today's radically different media environment.

Governor Brian Schweitzer will address his efforts to make government more effective and talk about how his "open door" policy has worked for Montana.