On May 21, 2003 the Institute for Study of Economics and the Environment (ISEE) teamed with the Division of Management to host the Honorable William H. Lash III, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance. Assistant Secretary Lash's talk was the fourth presentation in the Economic Policy Lecture Series. His talk, "Big Benefits from International Trade Require a Level Playing Field," outlined just how challenging it can be to keep our trading partners playing by the rules.

Mr. Lash's lecture was informative and entertaining.
He emphasized how beneficial trade is, especially with regard to feeding the world. More open trade also leads to greater political freedom in most instances.
Mr. Lash spent the second half hour of his presentation answering questions from the audience.
With regard to rebuilding the economy of Iraq, he said that nation building is a daunting challenge because of the many subtleties in establishing economic and political institutions in a culture different from our own.
Those students still on campus really owe a debt of gratitude to Assistant Secretary Lash for visiting Lindenwood University and for helping us connect with the "bigger picture" on trade.

Excerpted from an article by Crystal Follmer, student reporter for PRIDE, the Lindenwood student newspaper.