Those of us who have the good fortune to be involved in the mining sector know the complexity of our activity and the constant challenges we must face and overcome.
However, we are aware that many of these challenges are not unique to mining, but rather they are also characteristic of other spheres of national activity.  Therefore, following the slogan for the convention, “Mining in Peru: an opportunity vein for all”, the Entrepreneurial Meeting has been planned with a broader, more inclusive program, inviting diverse social players to discuss highly relevant current issues.  Along that line, we shall reflect upon the global economic outlook and its impact on our economy, nearly a year after the beginning of the international financial crisis.  We shall also bring a topic of concern to all of us to the table:   environmental challenges and the responsibility shared by the different sectors involved.
As we know well, the country’s economic growth has paradoxically revealed a significant increase in social conflict, which is a problem that we shall also analyze from different perspectives.  The competitiveness of the sector and the bottlenecks that occur in the different phases of mining activity shall be another topic given priority.
The Business Community and Politics block shall be an opportunity to discuss and reflect critically upon the reasons why Peruvian business persons, unlike their counterparts in other countries or the Peruvian business community in the country’s not so distant past, are not more actively involved in politics.
The meeting shall also include an important discussion on corporate responsibility in relation with education.  Therefore, we shall discuss a concern of vital importance to the country in the present, as well as in the future.  Additionally, to highlight the efforts being made by the sector to build the capacities of local governments, we shall have the opportunity to become familiar with some successful projects and experiences related to institution building.
In the Perceptions and Reality block, we shall attempt to respond to the question of how civil society sees mining.  This shall be a fitting occasion to contrast the public view with the perception that the mining industry itself has of its activity, as well as to explore reasons for potential misunderstanding.
Lastly, the development of the Mining Agenda seeks to propose a management tool and guidelines on mining policy for the coming years.  
These topics shall be discussed by international and local experts, with the expectation that, based on these exchanges, a contribution can be made toward the strengthening of mining activity and, above all, the development of our Peru.
We invite you to dedicate a week to this reflection and discussion in order to return with new ideas and energy for successfully facing the challenges inherent to our sector.

Pablo de la Flor
President of the Entrepreneurial Meeting Committee