The World Trade Organization’s chief economist, Patrick Low, will be discussing how recent events have affected global commerce and which factors will influence trade in the future, during his two Ohio stops at Kent State University on Wednesday, April 25, and at the City Club of Cleveland on Thursday, April 26.

Low may be available upon request for interviews from Wednesday, April 25, through Friday, April 27. Interested media should call Melissa Edler at 330-672-8589 to schedule an interview.

Sponsored by Kent State’s Office of International Affairs and Global Management Center, Low will speak about "Globalization and Trade: The Challenges and Opportunities" at 6:15 p.m. on April 25 in the Kent State Governance Chambers. The following morning, April 26, Low will address the "State of Global Trade" at 7:30 a.m. on the second floor of the City Club of Cleveland. The lecture is presented by Kent State’s Executive MBA program, in partnership with the City Club of Cleveland. Both events open to the public, and following each program, Low will be available for questions. The event at the City Club of Cleveland is $25 for non-members and free for members and EMBA alumni.

Beyond his role as chief economist, Low also served for two years as chief of cabinet, the most senior staff position, for the World Trade Organization (WTO). Prior to the WTO, he worked as a senior economist at the World Bank’s International Trade Division in Washington, D.C.

In addition, Low, who has a Ph.D. in economics from Sussex University in the United Kingdom, has written and co-authored more than 40 articles on trade policy issues and international economic relations. He also is an adjunct professor for Kent State’s Geneva Program in Switzerland.

For more information on the Kent State event, call 330-672-1227 or e-mail Betty Walker at bawalker@kent.edu. To register for the City Club of Cleveland event, call Joan Janosko at 330-672-3622.