Keynote speakers Froilán Dopico, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Spain Anthony G. O'Farrell, Maynooth University. Ireland Luis Verde-Star, Metropolitan Autonomous University. Mexico   Invited speakers Tian-Xiao He, Illinois Wesleyan University. Bloomington, IL, USA Donatella Merlini, Università di Firenze. Italy Jose Luis Ramirez, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Colombia