Border Blogs: Expressing our Border Culture

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded in 1945 with the aim of contributing peace and security to the world through education, science, culture and communications. The Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was founded in 1972 merging from two separate movements, the first focusing on the preservation of cultural sites, and the other dealing with the conservation of nature.

Every year the UNESCO publishes the World Heritage List, which lists objects (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that is listed by UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance. The list is a catalogue of sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity.

In the 2010 classification, Mexico is ranked on top six along with Spain, France, Italy, Germany and China out of the 148 countries participating in the UNESCO list, followed by the United Kingdom and India, with 28 and 27, respectively. Of these 29, only four are natural heritage, so the 25 remaining are cultural heritage –not natural beauty-, which speaks of the worldwide importance of Mexican culture. However, when it comes to the Americas Mexico has the honor of being on with more objects that any other country are considered heritage for humanity.

In the list of objects that are considered heritage for humanity in Mexico we can point out the historic centers of cities such as Morelia, Puebla, Zacatecas and Guanajuato, as well as impressive Mexico City with its Aztec-Spanish unique cultural syncretism. Even though San Miguel de Allende, still remains a small town, it is considered an important heritage to humanity because of the wealth of its colonial art. More recently we can find the Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila, another small town in western Mexico, home of Mexico’s most famous liquor and one of the most popular in the world.

We can also find pre-Hispanic cities such as Teotihuacan, founded by the Mexicas, Chichen Itza and Palenque from the Mayan culture and El Tajin, from the Olmec culture. Likewise, more contemporary buildings, such as Hospicio Cabañas or the main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), are also considered to be of great importance and cultural value, and that for, world heritage.

Mexico´s cultural legacy to the world is, and has been, unique, powerful, and unmatched. The vast and outstanding contribution to architecture and the profound influence that its people have had with universal culture, in pre-Hispanic, colonial or present times, is an example of what Mexico is all about today. This is Mexico´s legacy to the world.

Mexico, according to a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), is in fifth place in the proportion of individuals who read newspapers on the Internet for private purposes, just below Korea, Norway, Iceland and Japan, of all the 31 OECD members list.

This finding goes along with the data that inform us that the circulation of “traditional” newspaper has fallen, implying a further decline in advertising revenue. In the study “The Evolution of News and the Internet” of the OECD, it is also mentioned that both the decrease in traditional newspaper readers, such as increased use of electronic means to that end, is directly proportional.

Although Mexico is still lagging behind compared to other OECD countries in terms of broadband connections and Internet access, we can see that the use of these resources is high. The number of readers of recently printed newspapers (for the day or day before) tells us that in Mexico readers fell from 36% to 34%. On the other hand, and as mentioned before, Mexico is among the first places in the world where the population uses internet to read the news, with 60% of users reported using the internet to download or watch any news, above the United States and Finland, both with 57%, as well as Sweden with 45% .

One very interesting data from this study is that reveals that most Internet users are young people, which could increase the number of electronic media usage significantly. According to the OECD study, “The reading of print newspapers is usually lower among young people, who tend to attribute less importance to these media, however print newspapers still have a future.”

It is necessary to increase the capacity and infrastructure in technology in Mexico to achieve leadership. This contrasts with our perception about Mexico, that we are not able to adapt and conceive technology as part of our daily lives. This is a perfect example of how technology can be used to close gaps, in this case, information.

Talking about taxes is always a difficult issue. In fact hardly anyone likes to think about paying them. However, according to a KPMG study, Mexico is a country where the tax burden is relatively low compared with other Western countries. In a study of 10 developed countries, including France, Japan, Italy, Germany, United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Holland and Mexico and the result is that Mexico is the country with the lowest load of taxes in terms of corporate taxes.

A lower tax rate compared to other countries results in a direct benefit to the country’s economy. It becomes a competitive advantage, since it encourages direct investment in the country, and this always translates directly into new job sources for Mexicans.

Mexico has the lowest Total Tax Rate (TTR) in all countries studied, with a score of 59.9. This means that Mexico’s tax rates are 40.1% lower than those in the U.S., which is the country with the highest rate of all countries studied, with a TTR of 100.

It is true that in Mexico there is a widespread complaint about the application of taxes, and on equality with which we split the payment thereof, but the reality is that Mexico has a tax scheme very accessible to its citizens and investors. In fact, Mexico is a tax haven. The study shows that taxes in Mexico are not as high as they might seem. Our revenue as a percentage of GDP amounts to 11% when the Latin American average is 18%, according to United Nation´s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL).

This clearly is advantageous. However, the cost of having such low levels of collection is that it reduces opportunities to allocate public resources to meet needs of different population groups and to strengthen social policies and human development. Moreover, in the case of Mexico, the government compensates for the low recovery with the proceeds from the revenues from the national oil company.

It is important to note that the Government of Mexico makes an effort not to raise tax rates to be at the level of other developed countries, much less emulate our northern neighbors. In fact, taxes are not a way in which the government exploits us or gives luxuries to public officials.

In fact, Mexico has the lowest government spending measured as a percentage of GDP of all Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) country members. This comparison shows that Mexico has a low tax collection and is possible to run the required government structure and functions with that budget.

What would it be possible if instead of complaining about the high taxes and collection, we realize that we are fortunate to have to pay low rates? What would be possible if everyone of us cooperates with our taxes to support the government in developing our country´s needs?

In recent weeks, a tense atmosphere on the issue of border security with the adoption of SB1070 and the recent murders of Mexican citizens at the hands of U.S. immigration police has arrived.

This is due mainly to the idea we have that the observed violence In Mexico as a consequence of the war on drugs, could have a spillover effect across the border. U.S. governors of border states have demonstrated their concerns and sent to President Obama a letter asking for support and requesting the dispatching of 6,000 military elements.

However, according to a recent study by the FBI, the top four big cities in America with the lowest rates of violent crime are all in border states. San Diego, Phoenix, El Paso and Austin among the safest regions of the US. moreover, only 3% of the active border policemen suffer from some sort of attack, while 11% of policeman in the rest of the USA do.

The idea of a threat of violence crossing boundaries and getting into the U.S. has gained popularity among governors of border states, but according to Lloyd Easterling, a spokesman for U.S. border police, “The border is more secure now than it has ever been.”

According to Arturo Saruhkan, Mexican ambassador to the U.S., reports from the border are almost always one sided, and do not reflect what actually can happen at the border. Saruhkan said that “the effect of transfer of violence from Mexico to the United States does not exist”. In fact, most cartels operating in the border are not controlled by Mexican drug trafficking, and have been established there for a long time now.

Although governments in border states have requested support from the federal government to combat violence, statistics show that not only has it not been increasing, but has decreased, and the border states are among the safest in the U.S. A 2009 FBI crime report indicates that crime in Arizona has fallen. Violent crime in border towns has dropped by more than 30% and out of the 25 largest cities in the United States, San Diego, where one in four residents is an immigrant, has the lowest rate of violent crime.

In fact, according to data from a 2009 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), Mexico is much less violent than what is publicly perceived, even despite the fight against organized crime. Mexico is the fourth safest country in Latin America. Furthermore, the U.S. ranks # 42 in murders per 100,000 inhabitants, while Mexico is ranked 52 in the same list.

Border state governors have no solid foundations to have this fear. In fact, according to Martha Sanchez, a reporter from the Associated Press. in the U.S. it is safer to be a border police than a police in any city across the country. The figures speak for themselves. How would you perceive the violence if you would focus only on data and facts, and you drop your interpretation? How would others perceive Mexico? The power is ours.

Imagine a country where your future did not depend on where you come from, how much your family earns, what color your skin is, or whether you are male or female. Imagine if personal circumstances, those over which you have no control or responsibility, were irrelevant to your opportunities, and to your children’s opportunities. And imagine now a statistical tool that can help governments make that a reality. Welcome to the World Bank Human Opportunity Index (HOI).

The HOI calculates how personal circumstances (like birthplace, wealth, race or gender) impact a child’s probability of accessing the services that are necessary to succeed in life, like timely education, running water or connection to electricity. The HOI runs from zero to 100; a society that has achieved universal coverage of all services would score at 100.

The good news is that all LatinAmerican countries have raised their HOI in the last decade and a half, some quite rapidly. The great news is the fastest improvement occurred in Mexico during the last 15 years. The top performers in the 2010 report are:

1.Chile- 95
2.Uruguay-92
3.México-90

This means that Mexico has been leveling the playing field year by year and making chances much more equal for all Mexicans. These data and facts really contrast with some of the interpretations and stories we make up to disempower us. It is all about recognizing ourselves for our actions.

On behalf of all these children born in a much more even playing field let’s recognize ourselves for what has taken us to reach that place, for our commitment, generosity, and our passion to do things.

Imagine what else is possible for Mexico if we keep taking responsibility and causing what we want…

The 63rd edition of the International Film Festival Cannes was lived in a very Mexican way, demonstrating that Mexico is following close in the film industry. One of the first signs of this is that Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal was elected to preside the jury, which is made up of experts, actors, directors, etc.

The award of the Golden Camera for Best Opera Prima was for the Mexican film Leap Year, directed by the Mexican director, Michael Rowe. As he handed over the award, Gael García Bernal said, “It was difficult to choose among 24 films, but we made an unanimous decision,” he said. He also stated that “It is a very special film that has been done with great love and is noted for his mastery.”

The director Michael Rowe thanked his production house (Machete Productions), his actors, Monica del Carmen and Gustavo Sánchez Parra, as well as the Mexican Institute of Cinematography and dedicated his gift to his daughter. “It’s for my daughter Ximena, who is Mexican.”

Michael Rowe was born in Australia and has been living for 16 years in Mexico, country whose nationality he adopted. Michael Rowe stated that the tape is completely Mexican. “I have something legitimate Mexican and this film was born from my Mexican soul, my love for this country,” said the director. The film tells the story of a couple who maintains a relationship of degrading sexual violence.

The director feels that the film will be successful in Mexico because “In Mexico, the public is mature, and the times when scenes with nudity provoked laughter or frightened people have now been passed.”

Besides the award for Leap Year, Biutiful, a film by Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu highlighted in the festival, and actor Javier Bardem, won the Palme d’Or prize for best actor. The Spanish actor took the opportunity to thank Gonzalez Inarritu for the prize. “This award is received on behalf of what the film Biutiful, by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, represents.. After my hard work under the direction of Iñarritu I have changed my attitude towards work. I have now more compassion and love for the art of interpreting. ”

These are some examples that show how Mexican cinema is coming up strong worldwide. Awards such as this, in addition to the awards received in Madrid, in the 7th Documenta Madrid Festival, to the Mexican documentary Presumed Guilty, demonstrate the growth and international recognition of our cinema. Presumed Guilty is a documentary of Mexican directors Layda Negrete and Roberto Hernandez and, who had to beat 22 other international films to win the prize for best documentary in Madrid.

Today, the president of Mexico, Mr. Felipe Calderon Hinojosa and his wife, Mrs. Margarita Zavala were received at the White House by President Barack Obama and his wife. President Obama emphasized about things that can be achieved together and how this visit will further boost bilateral relations between both countries.

“Together, we can help create jobs and prosperity for our people. We can ensure that our common border is secure, modern and efficient, including immigration that is orderly and safe. We can stand firm, and deepen our cooperation, against the drug cartels that threaten our people. And given Mexico’s global leadership, we can stand together for the opportunity and security of all people, in our hemisphere and beyond,” were some of President Obama’s declarations. President Obama also powerfully declared “The United States and Mexico are not simply neighbors, bound by geography and history. We are, by choice, friends and partners. We are bound by our business partners, workers and tourists who fuel our prosperity; by our students and educators who broaden our horizons; and by our men and women in uniform, who serve and sacrifice to keep us safe.”

For his part, President Felipe Calderon proposed to President Obama to move beyond the mutual recriminations which hurt the relationship between Mexico and the United States to address together the challenges posed by organized crime, migration, economic crisis and climate change. “This is the opprtunity to look forward and begin a new era of strategic partnership between Mexico and the United States, based on shared responsibility.”

President Obama’s first state visit, when he was just appointed to office was Mexico, as did Mrs. Obama, who chose Mexico for her first personal visit due to the close ties between our countries. This state visit is one more opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Mexico and the United States.

While in times of intense discussions in issues such as border security and migration arouse, both Presidents Obama and Calderon used their words, not to describe, but to to create a world of possibility for our countries through their statements. It is this future of prosperity that they created and to in which we are living to that which inspires us to make a difference in our lives and in North America’s.

Mexico and Brazil are quite similar countries with economies that are competing globally to become new economic powers. Both nations have been affected by the financial crisis in 2008. We could even say that due of the nature of their business and because it was in the U.S., its largest trading partner, precisely where the crisis originated, Mexico has been more affected.

Brazil is part of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) emerging bock countries. According to several specialists, these countries have the greatest potential for growth and development. Some even claim that Mexico wants to belong and be part of this group. However, a review of available statistics shows that Mexico has already passed the stage of being a developing country with potential, and is now a reality. In other words, the BRIC aspire to look like Mexico and not vice versa.

In recent months there has been much fuss about the BRICs, especially China, India and Brazil. China has made great progress, in fact when we hear China we know we are talking about the country with the largest population in the world and economically it is estimated to exceed U.S. economy in about 25 years. In the case of India, we hear about the power in the knowledge economy, they have an arsenal of very well prepared engineers at a relatively low cost and are specialists in developing quality software worldwide. If we mention Brazil, we hear the significant progress that they have had in recent years and its recent influence on the world stage. For example, Petrobras, for its technological innovation in deep water and their way of doing business in the oil industry.

Interestingly, what few people know is that the term BRIC was coined by a Brazilian who placed Brazil, a country with 180 million inhabitants, with India and China, countries with more than one billion inhabitants each. It is often heard that Brazil knows how to sell itself and Mexico doesn’t. However, if we look closely at the figures, Mexico is better placed than Brazil in figures such as per capita income, human development index, women empowerment, economic freedom, ease of doing business, as well as less violent deaths. We have not been able to exploit that image though.

It would seem that Mexico should be compared not with BRIC countries, but with the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that includes the select group of the world’s most developed countries. Mexico is an OECD member since 1994 and, proudly, the first Latin American country to join this select club. It was also the only latin American member until this year that Chile also was invited. The OECD member countries have reached a higher level of economic development, and are considered to be the most advanced and developed countries on the planet. Within this select group or league of countries, Mexico is closing ranks to climb to the top.

So the obvious question is: To who should Mexico be compared? The developed world invites us and sees us playing at the OECD to close the gap with the select club of countries with more development, while the BRIC wants to be more like Mexico. Mexico still compares itself to the BRIC countries.

From what context should we look at Mexico?

SB 1070 is the new law enacted and passed by the state of Arizona and is the most comprehensive and stringent anti-immigration measure yet seen for decades in the United States. Among other things under law it is now considered a crime for anyone -and subject to arrest without warrant- if it is unable to prove lawful residence in the United States upon being asked based on “reasonable suspicion” to provide that proof. Starting on July or August 2010, when this law is enforced, the Arizona State Police will be allowed to detain any individual who does not look Native American or has “immigrant looking” and cannot prove their legality at the time in that country.

President Obama condemned this law mentioning that it “undermines the basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.” He also mentioned that this state law comes from the lack of regulation that has been taken at the federal level on the issue of migration. Therefore, considered that this issue can be reviewed at the federal level to avoid similar situations in the future.

Similarly, the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, condemned the law considering it unacceptable and discriminatory. “In May I will make a visit to President Obama and the United States Congress. Be certain that in all meetings and spaces that I will have, as President of Mexico, the issue about the rights of Mexicans in the U.S. and anywhere in the world, as well as the urgent need for progress on sound, sensible, human and balanced schemes will be imperatively discussed. ”

Mexican immigrants in the United States are essential to preserve the American way of life. Without them, and according to statistics, the cost of living in the United States would increase significantly. It is not an issue about how immigrants got here and why they left. It is about hard working people making a difference, a contribution to the US economy!

It is imperative to put this issue into perspective. In Mexico there are 1.5 million American citizens living illegally. Population trends in Mexico and the United States indicate that by 2025 Mexico will stop sending immigrants to the United States, since they will be required for their own national growth. The United States is actually running out of manpower and “expelling” their senior citizens to Mexico. The United States cannot compete with China unless it strengthens its ties with Canada and Mexico and aligns accordingly their facilities of natural resources and manufactures. By 2025 there will be 12 million U.S. citizens in Mexico, it is only a matter of time and they know this very well in Washington DC, that is why their speech is so different.

Our countries, our bonds, our heritage, and the millions of Americans that have their roots in México…our friendship, our illegal Mexican immigrants in the USA, the 1.5 million illegal US citizens living happily in Mexico all are contribution and progress to our countries. It is only by building a respectful win-win relationship that North America will stand tall and beyond!!!

Image: courtesy of immigration.change.org

In 1992, Mexico City was declared the city with poorest air quality in the world. Mexico City once had the worst rate of global pollution, and thus earned the nickname “The most dangerous city in the world for children.” However, an impressive improvement in recent years has managed to help reduce its emissions substantially. Mexico City is not among the top 20 most polluted cities in the world according the UN. In fact, according to this scale, Mexico City went from a score of 10, -the worst possible- to 5 today. These surprising results have been achieved through close cooperation of the authorities and society and have allowed Mexico City to become a healthier and enjoyable place for all.

Some measures that have been taken have involved great effort from the citizens. To achieve this results the “Hoy no Circula” Program was implemented, which for forbids citizens to use their car once a week. Also, a strict, challenging and, mandatory verification of vehicle emissions was implemented, as well as a mandatory school transportation program requiring parents to pay for school transport. Automobiles have also been restricted access to downtown and surrounding areas on weekends to enjoy the city in bicycles or other environment friendly transportation.

Other measures have required significant investment of government and taxpayers such as Metrobus, an innovative transportation system, that was awarded by Harvard University, and an ongoing effort to build 4 new subway lines, as well as building a network of suburban trains. The overall cost for the last 8 years to improve air quality in the city has required investments of $15 billion dollars, both public and private. Furthermore, Pemex plans to build a plant to produce low-sulfur gasoline, with a value of $ 9.3 billion.

Today, Mexico City is an example of commitment, transformation, and sustainable development for the rest of the world. We invite you to come and visit us soon and enjoy this transformation!