Public policy panel: Immigration and the Erie economy – Penn State University

Report on Panel Discussion Regarding Immigration’s Impact on Sustainable Economic Development

Event Overview and Strategic Objectives

The Public Policy Institute at Penn State Behrend has scheduled a panel discussion for November 18 at 7:30 p.m. to analyze the role of immigration in fostering local economic vitality. This event directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth for the Erie community.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The discussion is structured to explore key intersections between immigration policy, local business operations, and the following SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Examining how immigrant labor contributes to sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Assessing how federal and local policies can support the integration of immigrants, thereby reducing inequality within and among communities.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Investigating the impact of immigration on making cities and human settlements like Erie inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The event itself serves as a multi-stakeholder partnership, bringing together policy analysis, private industry, and academia to address complex development challenges.

Panelist Perspectives on Sustainable Development

The panel will feature three experts providing distinct viewpoints on how immigration supports regional sustainability and economic resilience.

1. Cassie Zimmer, Niskanen Center: Ms. Zimmer will provide a policy-level analysis of immigration’s economic effects. Her contribution will focus on how federal policy frameworks can be optimized to support SDG 8 and SDG 10 at the national and local levels, ensuring that economic benefits are inclusive and equitably distributed.
2. Jaret Kelly, Lake Erie Wine Country: Mr. Kelly will offer an industry-specific perspective from the agricultural sector. His discussion will highlight the critical role of immigrant labor in sustaining local industries, directly contributing to SDG 8 by ensuring the viability of regional enterprises and supporting productive employment.
3. Cindy Rau, Logistics Plus: Ms. Rau will present a corporate human resources viewpoint on how immigration strengthens supply chain management operations. This perspective underscores the importance of a diverse workforce in building resilient economic infrastructure, a key component of achieving SDG 8 and supporting the broader goals of SDG 11.

Institutional Framework and Regional Impact

The Public Policy Initiative at Penn State Behrend, housed within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, facilitates such discussions to inform evidence-based policy decisions. By fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders, the initiative actively promotes SDG 17, creating partnerships to advance sustainable development goals throughout the Erie region and similar communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues that connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on economic growth, inequality, and institutional strength.

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The core theme of the panel discussion is “how immigration shapes local businesses and the broader Erie economy.” The article explicitly mentions the economic contributions of immigrants to specific sectors like the wine industry (agriculture) and supply chain management, directly linking immigration to economic activity and employment.
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The discussion involves an “immigration policy analyst” who will cover the “local implications of federal policy.” This touches upon Target 10.7, which deals with facilitating orderly, safe, and responsible migration and the policies that govern it. The focus on policy implies a concern with how migration is managed and its effects on different groups.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The event is hosted by the “Public Policy Institute at Penn State Behrend,” which was created to “bring together a diversity of perspectives to inform public policy decisions.” This mission directly aligns with SDG 16’s goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. The panel itself is an example of fostering inclusive dialogue to shape policy.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the specific topics of the panel discussion, the following targets can be identified:

   • Target 8.2 (under SDG 8): “Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.” The article points to this target by highlighting the contributions of immigrants to labor-intensive sectors. Jaret Kelly will discuss “the work immigrants contribute to his industry” (agriculture), and Cindy Rau will focus on how immigration supports “supply chain management operations,” both of which are key sectors for the local economy’s productivity.
   • Target 10.7 (under SDG 10): “Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.” The panel features an immigration policy analyst, Cassie Zimmer, who will discuss the “economic and policy impacts of immigration nationwide, with a look at the local implications of federal policy.” This directly addresses the theme of implementing and evaluating migration policies.
   • Target 16.7 (under SDG 16): “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.” The entire premise of the event and the Public Policy Initiative hosting it embodies this target. The initiative’s stated purpose is to “bring together a diversity of perspectives to inform public policy decisions,” which is a clear effort to make decision-making more inclusive and participatory.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not mention explicit statistical indicators, as it is announcing a discussion. However, the topics of discussion imply the use of certain types of data and qualitative assessments to measure progress.

   • Implied Indicator for Target 8.2: The discussion about how immigrants “contribute to his industry” (Jaret Kelly) and “support her company’s supply chain management operations” (Cindy Rau) implies an assessment of the contribution of the immigrant workforce to the productivity and output of key local economic sectors. This could be measured by analyzing workforce participation rates and the growth of industries that rely on immigrant labor.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 10.7: The analysis of the “economic and policy impacts of immigration” by Cassie Zimmer implies the use of indicators related to the effectiveness and local-level outcomes of national migration policies. This involves measuring the economic integration of immigrants and the impact of federal policies on the local economy and community.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 16.7: The existence and activities of the “Public Policy Initiative” itself serve as an indicator. Progress can be measured by the number and diversity of stakeholders (e.g., business leaders, policy analysts, HR professionals) participating in public policy dialogues. The panel, featuring perspectives from policy, agriculture, and logistics, is a direct example of this inclusive approach.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: psu.edu