WASHINGTON, May 4—Sandra Polaski, director of the Carnegie Endowment’s Trade, Equity, and Development Program, has been sworn in as deputy undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB).

Welcoming the announcement, the president of the Endowment, Jessica T. Mathews, said:

“For seven years Sandra’s empirical and painstaking research has focused on the consequences of trade policy for household incomes, working people, and the poor. Her work has challenged received wisdom, provoked much-needed debate, and provided an invaluable resource to policy makers in developing countries, the United States, and Europe. At such an uncertain time for the globalized economy and the importance of trade in its recovery, Sandra is brilliantly suited to her new job. I know she will continue her exceptional record and be a leading voice on some of the most critical issues facing this country and the world.”

Polaski is a leading international expert on trade, development, and employment policies, and author of numerous studies, including: Winners and Losers: Impact of the Doha Round on Developing Countries, Brazil in the Global Economy: Measuring the Gains From Trade, and India's Trade Policy Choices.

As the secretary of state’s special representative for international labor affairs from 1999 to 2002, Polaski integrated labor and employment issues into U.S. trade and foreign policy and served as the lead adviser on labor provisions in the U.S.–Jordan Free Trade Agreement and the U.S.–Cambodia Textile Agreement, considered models for future agreements. Previously she served as director of research at the secretariat of the North American Commission for Labor Cooperation, a NAFTA-related intergovernmental organization.
 

Polaski holds degrees from the University of Dayton, University of Wisconsin, and Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

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NOTES

• Sandra Polaski is deputy undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). From 2002 to 2009 she was senior associate and director of the Trade, Equity, and Development Program at the Carnegie Endowment. Previously, she served as the U.S. secretary of state’s special representative for international labor affairs, the senior official representing the State Department on international labor matters.

• The Carnegie Trade, Equity, & Development Program undertakes analysis and promotes policies and strategies to make global economic integration work for more countries and more people. The Program focuses on developing countries and its ground level approach is unique among think tanks and development institutions.

• Press Contact: Trent Perrotto, 202/939-2372, tperrotto@ceip.org