On Monday, January 13, Tijuana hosted “Foro de las Juventudes” (Youth Forum), a historic event that provided a unique opportunity for young students from several different Baja Californian schools to directly interact with authorities from the three levels of government and share their ideas, proposals, and concerns.
This dialogue event that took place at Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR) gathered students from Universidad Tecnológica de Tijuana (UTT), Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado (Cobach), and other schools to give them all a voice as a stepping stone towards the construction of the 2025-2030 National Development Plan.
This forum, which doubled as a space for enquiries, was organized as part of the national public policy agenda. Here, young people were able to express their opinions on sustainable development, gender equality, youth perspective, and human well-being.
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A Historic Forum
At this event, Baja Californian Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda highlighted that this forum is the first of its kind in the history of Mexico. For the first time ever, the youth had the chance to directly influence federal public policies.
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One of the key issues addressed at this forum was young people’s access to education. In her speech, Governor Marina del Pilar highlighted the actions implemented in Baja California to guarantee children and teenagers can continue their studies, For example, a budget increase for the Comprehensive School Transport System (COMUNDER) with the aim of enhancing services and making Baja Californian student mobility easier.
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“We are providing tools, such as mobility and scholarships, so that students have no excuses and can continue studying,” the governor said. She also recalled the efforts made to increase the Benito Juárez scholarships and the “Pancita Llena, Corazón Contento” feeding program for children and teenagers at public schools in vulnerable areas.
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What is Foro de las Juventudes?
Young people had the chance to take part in work councils where issues such as the creation of inclusive public policies, equal opportunities for all young people, women’s rights, and the fight against violence were thoroughly discussed.
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It should be noted that Tijuana’s Youth Forum is part of a wider engagement process that is taking place all across Mexico. The federal government will analyze young people’s opinions and proposals received at these work councils.
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Three Levels of Government at Foro de las Juventudes
This event was attended by several officials, including Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz of Tijuana and Mayor Román Cota Muñoz of Tecate, as well as Senator Julieta Ramírez and Social Program Delegate, Jesús Alejandro Uribe.
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The Mayor of Tijuana highlighted the importance of children and young people getting involved in policy decision-making processes.
“They are the agents of change in society. That’s why I applaud our president’s commitment to considering the perspectives of young people in the construction of this national plan. We have answered the call of motivating them to participate,” Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz of Tijuana, who had an essential role in organizing this forum, said.
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The event concluded with an acknowledgment by the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, who has promoted these initiatives to strengthen the Fourth Transformation project.
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