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POLITICAL REFORM-EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On January 22nd, the Congress and state legislatures approved the political reform, and on January 31 the President promulgated it, which is part of the Pact for Mexico agreements. Political pluralism in the country is an undeniable reality, derived from a process of democratic transition. The Political Reform seeks that all political forces take co-responsibility of running the country and its problems and make the political system more functional to give the country governance, expand and improve its democratic system.

KEY POINTS OF REFORM

 Legislative Reelection. Re-election of deputies and senators up to 12 years, from 2015 and 2018 respectively. Candidates for re-election must be nominated by their parties. There will only be re-election by the same party, unless public servants renounce before serving half of the term.

 Re-election for mayors and local deputies: Local centers introduced this figure in their state laws.

 Creation of a General Court: From 2018, there will be two special prosecutors instead of the PGR, one for electoral crimes and another managing corruption. The holder shall be appointed by 2/3of the Senate and may be removed by the President, with the approval of 2/3 of the Senate.

 The National Electoral Institute will replace the IFE. The number of directors will rise from nine to eleven. The Chamber of Deputies will continue to choose them by 2/3 of the comity. The INE is responsible for federal elections and may provide at request local elections. It may also invalidate them if there may be doubt of inequity.

 Control of Congress on state electoral institutes is withdrawn. The INE appoint s actual local councilors.

 Annulment of elections is effective. Given an exceeded campaign budget and when this factor could have generated the difference between the first and second place for less than 5% of the votes.

 More votes are needed to hold a political party. An Increase of 2% to 3% of the percentage of votes in order for a party to retain its registration.

 Less time between the election and the seizure of power. The Presidential seizure is held back from December 1st to October 1st. Settlement of Congress is also held back on the year of the government transition, from September 1st to August 1st.

 Equity among men and women in Congress. Nominations for the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate shall be 50 % for men and women alike.

 Coalition governments. The possibility that the President shall form a coalition government is actually effective. Where appropriate, the Senate must ratify the cabinet, except for the secretaries of Defense and Navy.

 Ratification of the cabinet. If there shall be no coalition government, the Chamber of Deputies shall endorse the Secretary of Finance and the Senate the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

 Accountability in security. The Senate shall ratify the national security strategy of the President and he will have to report annually on the results.

 Autonomy to CONEVAL. The National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy will no longer depend of the executive branch starting on 2018.

Why a political reform?

Our country has established, over its history, a significant change in the composition of government structures. Mexico now lives a more active and participating democracy, one that demands new forms of interaction between the different political forces. This reality forces us to reconsider a constitutional plan that fosters responsibility within various authorities and levels of government in the execution of public responsibilities, regardless of their political extraction.

Why were changes made to the electoral law?

Political parties need a legal framework that generates greater certainty, transparency and stability to the political system as a whole. Also, elections have to be cheaper and more transparent.

Why the need to encourage coalition governments?

In Mexico, since 1997 no political force has attained majority to exercise governmental actions independently from the others. This situation, far from undermining democracy, is its most important feature, since democracy fits in all forms of thought and ideology.

The close cooperation between the executive and the legislature, with its various political forces, is necessary to fully achieve the objectives of any public policy. For these reasons, one of the axes of the political reform is to build majorities in favor of democratic governance, to facilitate cooperation and wide reaching policies.

Highlights

It was discussed, although not approved, the presidential runoff and removal of presidential immunity. For more information…

Pacto por México (en español) (Gobernabilidad democrática).

Boletín de prensa (en español) (Senado de la República).

 

 

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EMPOWER MEXICO AS A CULTURAL POWER OF THE 21ST CENTURY

"While emerging countries are devoting significant financial resources to create their identity, Mexico is already a cultural power. This is approved by artists, architects , dancers , singers, filmmakers , writers , sculptors, musicians, artists , academics and intellectuals " announced President Enrique Peña Nieto, presiding the ceremony that marked the 25th anniversary of the National Council for Culture and Arts of Mexico(CONACULTA), held at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, on January, 17 .

He noted that 2014 will be a landmark year for culture: " a comprehensive program of activities will commemorate the centennial of the birth of Octavio Paz, the 80th anniversary of the Economic Culture Fund, and also the National Museum of Anthropology will celebrate half a century of its functioning, for which we will devote all of our efforts to modernize its facilities and a exhibitions".

The President Peña Nieto noted that Mexico is globally in the fourth place regarding documentary heritage; fifth place in linguistic diversity , sixth and twelfth place in the world’s intangible heritage assets, with expressions such as mariachi , the Day of the Dead, or the Papantla Flyers.

The president emphasized that in order to expand the access to all Mexicans to various creative and intellectual manifestations, the objectives of the Special Program for Culture and Art have been harmonized with each of the five major national targets his government has set. More information about the axes of the cultural program can be read here.

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International Mariachi Contest

Introduction

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME), develops different programs and projects to support Mexicans living outside our country’s borders.

In an effort to reassess and strengthen a sense of ethnic pride, cultural heritage, and identification with our country, IME offers cultural and artistic programs to Mexican communities abroad. These programs enhance the development of Mexicans in other societies, serving their need to maintain ties to their native country and transmit its richness to those around them.

In commemoration of the Bicentennial of Mexico’s Independence and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution, IME promotes an international mariachi competition titled "Sones de Mariachi por el Mundo", open to all nationalities.


I. Rationale

Mexican popular culture has transcended centuries and remains fundamental to Mexican identity. The mariachi and its music are important cultural elements that have helped shape the symbols of this national identity.

Throughout the world, there are a significant number of mariachi groups comprised of Mexicans, those of Mexican descent and, most notably, foreign nationals.

The First International Mariachi Competition, as a part of the Bicentennial of Independence and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution, seeks that our communities abroad and the international public recognize one of the great musical contributions Mexico has made to the world.

This event will convene national and international musicians from five continents, highlighting the fact that some mariachi groups are now also comprised of women.

The international mariachi competition is open to participants from all countries.


II. Objectives

To celebrate Mexican pride, together with foreign nationals and Mexicans living abroad, through an irrefutable symbol of Mexican identity.

To make known, in Mexico and abroad, the important musical contributions our country has made to the world.

To heighten awareness among Mexican communities abroad regarding the importance and influence of their historical roots, and to strengthen their sense of national pride and identity.

To showcase the manner in which Mexican mariachi music —having successfully established itself on a world level as an art form in constant transformation— continues to transcend limits.


III. Rules

1.All contestants must reside permanently in a country other than Mexico.

2.This competition is open to mariachis of any nationality or citizenship.

3.Competing ensembles must contain violins, vihuela, and guitarrón. They may also include trumpet, guitar, guitarra de golpe, and harp.

4.Musical themes performed for this competition must be by Mexican authors of the nineteenth or twentieth centuries, or traditional compositions by anonymous authors, and must be characteristic of mariachi music. Music of other origin will not be allowed, nor will musical arrangements that are inconsistent with the mariachi genre.

5.All manifestations of Mexican national identity (such as the charro suit in the case of the modern mariachi, sounds, styles, singing, and traditional yells or gritos.) will be taken into account in the judging of theatrical presentation, interpretation, and musical arrangements.

7.Videos submitted for this competition must be accompanied by the following song information: author, region of Mexico from which it originates, era in which it was composed, and an explanation of why the tune was chosen for this contest.

8.Participants must submit a video recording their interpretation of a musical selection. This must be recorded in the community where the ensemble is based.

9.Competing mariachi groups must be comprised of a minimum of 8 (eight) musicians and a maximum of 13 (thirteen).

10.To enter, applicants must complete the application found on the Redes México website at www.redesmexico.mx.

11.Mariachi ensembles of recognized national and international notoriety, whether residing temporarily or permanently abroad, may NOT participate.

Upon application, all contestants grant the Institute of Mexicans Abroad the right to make free use of submitted audiovisual materials in all media known and unknown, in all formats, and in all existing territories.

Contestants must submit their finished video to the Redes México website at www.redesmexico.mx. Duration of the video must be no longer than 4 minutes. Alternatively, participants can submit their finished video, on CD or DVD, to the Mexican embassy or consulate nearest to their place of residence. Videos will not be returned.

 

IV. Awards

The Department of Popular and Indigenous Cultures of CONACULTA and the Institute of Mexicans Abroad will establish a Selection Committee that will designate the finalists by region, to ensure representation from all continents.

The Selection Committee will choose 5 winning mariachis from the U.S.; 3 from Canada; 3 from Asia-Pacific, Africa and Oceania; 3 from Europe; and 3 from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Through the Redes México website (www.redesmexico.mx),these preselected videos will be voted upon by Mexicans living abroad. First, second, and third place awards will be given for the most-voted-for videos on the Internet.

The Selection Committee will nominate the mariachi they consider most deserving of the "Best Mariachi 2010" award, and this group will receive recognition as first-place winners. The results of Internet votes and the decision of the Selection Committee are irrevocable.

The winners of each region or continent will, ideally, receive their awards in Mexico and will perform in five Mexican states. They should also be available for media interviews.


Awards

Awards consist of an embossed silver plaque for each member of the winning mariachi group, a trip to Mexico with accommodations and meals for two weeks, and prepaid roundtrip coach-class air transportation.


Timetable

December, 2009

Launching of contest in Mexico and abroad.

 

May 31st, 2010

Deadline for receipt of video submissions.

 

June 15th, 2010

Juries will announce pre-selected entries and these will be included on the Redes México web page.

 

June 16-July 15, 2010

Mexican communities will vote on pre-selected entries through the Redes México web page.

July 20, 2010

Announcement of winners.

 

August/September 2010

Winners will visit our country. The mariachi bands will make a tour through Mexico

 

Supporting institutions and companies

 

Coordinación General para las Conmemoraciones de 2010

Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC)

Dirección General de Culturas Populares e Indígenas de CONACULTA

Consejo de Promoción Turística

Pulque Poliqhui

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WE ARE DETERMINED TO TRANSFORM MEXICO AND TAKE IT ON THE CROSSROADS OF TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE: PRESIDENT ENRIQUE PEÑA NIETO PRESENTS THE NATIONAL DIGITAL STRATEGY

 

Download the English version of the National Digital Strategy.

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Global Short Film Competition 2010

Introduction

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad develops various programs and projects to support the Mexicans established beyond our borders.

In the cultural and artistic area, IME is promoting programs for Mexican communities abroad, seeking to reassess and strengthen their sense of identity and belonging to our country and the pride in their roots and rich cultural heritage. Through these activities we contribute to their development in host societies, and it serves their need to maintain their ties to Mexico and to transmit the richness of their country of origin to people in their host country and abroad.

On the occasion of the commemoration of the Bicentennial of Independence and the Centennial of the Revolution, IME promotes the First Global Short Film Competition recorded with cell phone for Mexicans and people of Mexican origin living abroad.

 

Objectives:

To celebrate with members of communities of Mexicans living around the world in 2010, the pride of being Mexican and to spread in and out Mexico the contributions made by migrants to the host and home societies.

To contribute to reassess the image the migrant has over his own reality.

To promote the recognition of artistic talent among members of Mexicans living abroad communities.

To get to know the success stories with the information provided by members of the Mexican communities, and later share them through print and electronic media in Mexico and abroad.

To get to know the worries and needs of the youth through the short films in different areas such as education, employment, health and security. It can also help to reach topics like sexuality a reproductive health.

 

Rules

* To be a Mexican national or to have Mexican ascendance and currently live in a country different from Mexico.

* The short film must be recorded inside the community where the participant resides.

* The participant must be at least 15 years old but not older than 30 years old.

 

Applicants must submit:

1.A finished short film recorded with cell phone lasting no longer than 3 minutes, which can be edited with the support of computer equipment.

2.The short film must cover the story of a migrant; it is meant to reflect in a creative manner, their work, profession or daily reality. The way migrants contribute to the development of their host and / or origin societies, or the projects and activities that they develop in art, culture, science, technology and sports, among others. The short film could also show the difficulties migrants face regarding education, employment or health.

3.They must submit the application form electronically through the "Redes México" website www.redesmexico.gob.mx.

4.Contestants must accept that the Institute of Mexicans Abroad can make free use of audiovisual materials in all media known and unknown, and in all formats and existing territories.

5.Projects must be submitted through the "Redes México" website www.redesmexico.gob.mx or in a CD/ DVD with the finished short film at the embassy or consulate closest to their place of residence. (These materials will not be returned).

 

Selection Committee

The Film Training Centre and the Institute of Mexicans Abroad will designate a "Selection Committee" composed of recognized professionals of the filming industry, which will select FIVE short films from the United States, THREE from Canada, THREE from Asia-Pacific, Africa and Oceania, THREE from Europe and THREE from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Then, these short films will be submitted to the vote of Mexicans living abroad through the "Redes México" website. There will be a first, second and third place.

The Selection Committee will also nominate the short film they consider to be deserving of the award "Best Shortfilm 2010" and will also receive the prizes of the first place. The results of internet votes and the decision of the Selection Committee are definitive.

The winners of each region or continent will - ideally - receive their awards in Mexico and will be performing in five states of our country. They should also be able to offer interviews to the media.

 

Criteria for selecting the best short films

Those invited to the Selection Committee will judge the following:

 

1.Cinematographic Narrative: how the history is in 1 to 3 minutes.

2.Photography

3.Thematic of the short film: the value of the history itself, including characters and secondary topics.

4.Innovation in the cinematographic language

5.Artistic composition in the format (horizontal and vertical cell-phones will be considered)


Awards

The awarded short films will be granted to those most voted by Mexican communities over the Internet.

Furthermore, in order to ensure the recognition of the artistic talents there will be another first place for the “Best short film 2010 “, that the Selection Committee considers as the best one.

Besides the awards listed below, the winners will be recognized with a trip to Mexico that would include lodging, meals and a round-trip economy class from their place of residence.

 

First Place

Equipment

Approximate cost

Lap Top

$1,920 .00 USD

Digital Video Camera

$1,920.00 USD

Profesional audio and video Studio

$6,279.00 USD

Total

$10,119.00 USD

 

Second Place

Equipment

Approximate cost

Digital Video Camera

$1,920 USD

Audio and Home Video Production System

$3,823.90 USD

Total

$5,743.90 USD

 

Third Place

Equipment

Approximate cost

Lap Top

$1,461.00 USD

Audio and Personal Video Production System

$ 2,803.95 USD

Total

$4,264.95 USD


Work Plan

December 2009

Launching of both competitions in Mexico and abroad.

 

June the 15th, 2010

Deadline for receipt of videos.

 

June the 30st, 2010

The Selection Committee announces the pre-selected shot films to be included in the "Redes México" website

 

1st - 30th July, 2010

Mexican communities vote for pre-selected work through the "Redes México" website.

 

August the 10th, 2010

Announcement of the winner

 

November 2010

The winners will visit our country. The awards ceremony is performed.

 

November 2010

Two discussions panels are held with critics and film experts

 

 

Institutions and companies that have offered support

 

1.Coordinación General para las Conmemoraciones de 2010.

2.United Nations Population Fund (UNPF)

3.Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC)

4.Cinépolis

5.Avid: soluciones digitales audio y video

6.Sony