The Mexican Regional Development Science Association (AMECIDER) held its 18^th National Meeting in the City of Pachuca (approximately 75kms away from Mexico City), State of Hidalgo, on November 19^th- 22^nd, 2013. The general theme of the meeting was “Socio-territorial integration and development: towards alternative public policies”. The theme was disaggregated in 12 axial topics that structured the discussion in 45 sessions with selected papers. Altogether, 220 papers were presented, written by 360 authors and coauthors. Together with attendees from the general public, the Meeting had a total attendance of 460 registered participants.

Highlights of the Meeting were: (A) the participation of RSAI President, Dr. Jean-Claude Thill, who shared the Presidium and delivered the keynote speech at the opening session. Besides, he shared important suggestions and advice to AMECIDER members and authorities. His sound scholarship and kind presence were an important stimulus for AMECDER (it incidentally deserved a touching verse in a folksong during a dinner meeting!); (B) the Special Forum for Undergraduate Students on regional issues competing for the “Salvador Rodriguez Award” (in memory of the late AMECIDER President assaulted and killed to steal the Association’s money); (C) each day, besides the parallel sessions, there was one plenary session featuring outstanding national regional scientists addressing key issues of Mexican regions; (D) the event had the firm and highly valued support of the local co-organizer ‘El Colegio del Estado de Hidalgo’ (the Hidalgo State College for Graduate Studies); (E) a special four session forum on local regional issues was organized by the Colegio del Estado de Hidalgo and AMECIDER, gathering a significant and diverse audience; (F) finally, the meeting culminated with the General Assembly in which the election of the Executive Committee of AMECIDER for the period 2013-2016 took place, with Dr. Serena Eréndira Serrano Oswald as new AMECIDER President! Congratulations to her, the first woman AMECIDER-President, and our warmest welcome to the NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS! 

Closing Ceremony

	Thematic Axe	Working Session

Local Support Team