For 20 years, Guido Cespedes has given classes and conferences on trade in cities all over Bolivia. Since discovering Trade Forum, he has used it in his teaching work. A next step will be to bring trade issues out of the classroom and into the wider world.
Mr Cespedes is a professor of economic development and international trade at the Universidad Mayor de San Simón in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The university has 56,000 students.
Q: How long have you been reading our magazine?
A: Since 1999. I use Trade Forum in my course materials on international trade and economic development, which I teach at university level. The magazine articles help me to show my students successful cases that they can use as examples and for motivation. I also draw on the articles for comparative analyses of countries, products and services. Finally, they keep us up to date on new themes and services related to international trade.
Q: Do you prefer the print or the online version?
A: I prefer the online version.
Q: Was there a subject or issue of the magazine that was of particular interest, and why?
A: All the themes are very interesting and important but my particular interest is electronic commerce. I think e-commerce is an essential tool to promote trade in countries like Bolivia, which need to increase and diversify their exports by adding value and greater use of technology and skills.
Q: Are there any subjects you would like to see addressed in Trade Forum?
A: For countries like Bolivia, it would be very useful to look more closely at the mechanisms and operating procedures of fair trade as a way to reduce poverty, diversify exports and gradually increase the use of technology and skill in the products and services we offer.
Q: What would be the best way for these articles to reach readers in Bolivia?
A: One way is by using Trade Forum articles to support research and analysis in university classes. Based on my own experience, I believe this is a very effective method. As an additional way to collaborate, though, we should provide comments on the articles — in non-technical language — for publication in mass media like the press, radio and television. Regarding this interview, I will personally take up my second suggestion and put it into practice in Bolivia.
