U.S. Manufacturing: Policies for a New Economic Reality
Manufacturing has played a vital role in the United States’ economic and social development since the nation’s founding. And while the manufacturing sector has seen more than 5 million lost American jobs over the past decade, it is nonetheless experiencing a notable renaissance. As the country continues to combat economic pressures not seen since the Great Depression, manufacturers, labor and legislators are identifying policies to strengthen manufacturing and re-energize this highly important sector to the U.S. economy.
On July 12, the Governance Studies program at Brookings hosted a half-day conference focused on fortifying manufacturing to improve the United States’ future economic performance, social mobility and edge in innovation. Questions explored include: what does good manufacturing policy look like in a new economic reality? What are management and labor doing to strengthen the sector? What are the best ways to address the challenges facing U.S. manufacturing? And how does manufacturing play a role in the United States’ standing as the world’s leader in innovation? The conference marked the first annual John Hazen White Forum on Public Policy, which convenes leaders from academia, business and government to discuss and identify solutions to the United States’ most pressing challenges.
Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
Lunch Discussion: Manufacturing Policy Perspectives & Solutions
James R. (Bob) Hagerty
Manufacturing Reporter - The Wall Street Journal
Manufacturing: A Tool to Recapture America’s Innovation Edge
Robert D. Atkinson
Former Brookings Expert
President - Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
Gregory Tassey
Senior Economist - National Institute of Standards and Technology
How Labor and Manufacturers Are Forging Manufacturing’s New Path
James R. (Bob) Hagerty
Manufacturing Reporter - The Wall Street Journal
Thea Lee
Deputy Chief of Staff - AFL-CIO
Scott Paul
President - Alliance for American Manufacturing
Solving the Challenges Facing the Manufacturing Sector
Phillip Singerman
Associate Director, Innovation and Industry Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology - U.S. Department of Commerce
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