In sponsoring the First Annual Arnold C. Harberger Distinguished Lecture on Economic Development, the Burkle Center for International Relations celebrates Al Harberger as an eminent scholar and teacher. The lectures provide a special forum for outstanding students of international economics and policy to present their thoughts and research on issues like those that Harberger himself has addressed.

On May 19th Dr. Suphamongkhon spoke to a group of UCLA students, faculty and staff about the pros and cons of globalization. Dr. Suphamongkhon is a Senior Fellow at the Burkle Center as well as a UC Regents Professor.  Prior to UCLA, Dr. Suphamongkhon served as Thailand's 39th Foreign Minister. Throughout his career Kantathi worked in many other diplomatic and political capacities. He began his career in 1984 when he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and worked at the Department of International Organizations and the Department of Political Affairs. Kantathi went on to represent Thailand as a diplomat at the United Nations in New York. He also served as the Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Thailand, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Thai Parliament, and as the Thai Trade Representative. Dr. Suphamongkhon received a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, an M.A. from American University, and a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.