2015, YEAR OF MEXICO IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN MEXICO
In order to promote a deeper understanding between our societies, the Governments of Mexico and the United Kingdom have decided to celebrate throughout 2015 the "Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom" and the "Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico". We believe that this Dual Year is a right way for many more productive businesses to capitalise on the level of interaction that has been achieved between our two countries and to promote further bilateral exchange and cooperation.
The Government of Mexico is preparing an ambitious programme of artistic, cultural, educational, scientific, economic, culinary, and tourism activities aimed at building a legacy of a stronger foundation for future mutual cooperation. The programme of the Year of Mexico in UK will include exhibitions, concerts, seminars, workshops, festivals, joint research projects which will seek to attract diverse audiences in various British cities. Through these events, the Government of Mexico hopes to show the people of Britain the diversity of the cultural heritage of Mexico, its rich history and strong traditions, whilst at the same championing its economic and commercial dynamism as an exceptional location for trade, investment and tourism.
The initiative for celebrating the Dual Year of Mexico-UK arose during discussions between officials in different Departments in both countries, beginning with a conversation in April 2013 between the Mexican Secretary of Education, Emilio Chuayffet Chemor, and the UK Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts. Then, in May 2013, Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Carlos de Icaza, and the UK Minister of State for Latin America for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Hugo Swire, spoke of the matter.
A Joint Declaration designating 2015 as the "Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom" and the "Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico" was signed by the President of the Mexican National Council for Culture and the Arts, Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, and the UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries of the UK, Ed Vaizey in London on 4 July, 2013. Originally, it was thought that this would primarily be a cultural initiative. Subsequently, the foreign ministries of both countries agreed to expand the scope of the Dual Year to other areas of exchange, including trade, investment, tourism, education, science and innovation. In this regard, on 11 June, 2014, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, José Antonio Meade Kuribreña, and the then Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, William Hague, signed in London a ‘Joint Declaration’ concerning the designation of the year 2015 as ‘the Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom’ and ‘the Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico.’
The Secretariat for Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores-SRE, in Spanish) is the general coordinator of the Bi-national Year in Mexico and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office holds that position in the United Kingdom. Each country has set up a steering committee comprising members of various institutions. It will decide the content of the programme of activities within the other country and will be responsible for its implementation. In order to facilitate this work, they will each oversee three working groups: a) Arts and Creative Economy; b) Education, Science and Innovation; c) for the UK, Trade and Investment, and for Mexico, Trade, Investment and Tourism.
Cultural proposals should be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The President Peña Nieto reported that he will attend the invitation of HM Queen Elizabeth II to make a State visit to the UK in 2015.
NATIONAL PALACE., Mexico City, 2nd November 2014.- President Enrique Peña Nieto and HRH The Prince of Wales, today formally announced the Year of Mexico in the UK and the Year of the UK in Mexico in 2015.
During the event at the National Palace, President Peña Nieto said: "This simultaneous celebration is the ultimate expression of respect and recognition, friendship and solidarity between two nations. With a broad programme of activities both countries will promote a greater understanding between our societies and closer cooperation in all aspects of our bilateral relationship. "
The President said "we will take the best of Mexico to the UK and bring the best of that great nation to our country." with art exhibitions, gastronomy workshops, academic discussion forums, tourism promotion activities, business meetings and other activities,
Accompanied by his wife, Angelica Rivera de Peña, the Head of State added that the cultural heritage of Mexico will be showcased at the great exhibition "Maya, Revelation of an Endless Time” and at The London Book Fair in which Mexico will be the guest of honour.
"No doubt, all these sessions will strengthen the intercultural dialogue that our nations started nearly 200 years ago," he said.
MEXICAN AND BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTERS SIGN JOINT DECLARATION ON THE DESIGNATION OF THE DUAL YEAR IN 2015
• The Year shall strengthen the level of cooperation between both governments and contribute to a better understanding between British and Mexican societies.
• In the United Kingdom, Mexico will show the diversity of its cultural heritage and promote its dynamism as a favoured destination for trade, investment and tourism.
• In Mexico, the best of British Creativity and British-Mexican collaborations will be showcased.
LONDON, England, 11th June 2014.- The Mexican Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade Kuribreña and his British counterpart the Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon William Hague, today signed a joint statement designating 2015 as the “Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” and the “Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico”.
The signing of the document endorses the desire at the highest level to strengthen the level of cooperation between both governments and between the private sectors, and in the academic, scientific and artistic fields, which will support innovative projects and initiatives and a create a favourable atmosphere for better understanding between Mexico and Britain.
The Dual year will comprise ambitious programmes in both countries, including activities in the fields of the arts, creative industries, education, science, innovation, technical and scientific cooperation, economic and investment promotion and the promotion of commerce, tourism and gastronomy. The initiative will involve different public and private bodies in both countries, and be headed by both Foreign Ministries.
In London, the two Foreign Ministers set out that the “Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” shall seek to show to the people of Britain the diversity of Mexico’s cultural heritage, its rich history and strong traditions, while at the same championing its economic and commercial dynamism, which make it an exceptional location for commerce, investment and tourism.
At the same time, in Mexico, the best of British creativity and British-Mexican collaboration will be showcased, to build a legacy which shall sustain the future strengthening of political, economic and cultural relations.
Both governments are committed to providing support for the different programmes in each country and initiatives to foster cooperation between public and private institutions, in order to secure an enduring legacy from these activities.
The full text of the document, signed today in London, follows below:
JOINT STATEMENT
CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF 2015 AS THE “YEAR OF MEXICO IN THE UNITED KINGDOM” AND “THE YEAR OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN MEXICO”
BETWEEN
SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
AND
FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Preamble
Understanding the strategic importance of bilateral relations and the desire to strengthen the existing close ties of friendship between our countries;
Based upon the Basic Convention on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between the Government of the United Mexican States and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Convention on Cultural Cooperation between the Government of the United Mexican States and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
Recognising the importance of fostering better understanding between both societies for the better attainment of common goals, including the promotion of peace, culture, education and respect for international law, and sustainable development already evident between the countries;
Bearing in mind that in May 2013, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Carlos de Icaza, and the Minister of State for Latin America at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, Hugo Swire, agreed upon the holding of a Dual Year in 2015;
Noting also the agreements reached in April 2013 by the Minister of State for Universities and Science of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills of the United Kingdom, David Willetts, and the Secretary of Public Education of Mexico, Emilio Chuayffet Chemor;
Considering that the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries of the United Kingdom, Edward Vaizey, and the President of the National Council for Culture and the Arts of Mexico, Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, signed a Joint Declaration on the fourth day of July 2013 to hold “the Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” and “the Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico” in 2015 and undertaking that they will provide support for and facilitate the administrative arrangements needed to carry out activities within but not limited to the following fields: culture, education, language learning, the arts and sciences, innovation and creative industries.
With the aim of strengthening the relationship between the governments of Mexico and the United Kingdom at national and regional levels, as well as the relationships in the private sector, and in the academic and scientific fields, to foster better understanding between the societies, to support novel projects and initiatives and to strengthen the ties that exist between the Mexican and British people, declare as follows:
1. 2015 will be designated as the “the Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” and “the Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico” under the ambit of which activities in the fields of the arts, creative economy, education, science, innovation, technical and scientific cooperation, economic and investment promotion, and the promotion of trade, tourism and gastronomy will take place in the territory of each country, building links at all levels between Mexican and British people.
2. The aim of “the year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” will be to show the people of Britain the diversity of the cultural heritage of Mexico, its rich history and strong traditions, whilst at the same time championing its economic and commercial dynamism as an exceptional location for trade, investment and tourism.
The aim of “the year of the United Kingdom in Mexico” is to celebrate at the highest level and as widely as possible UK-Mexico relations, showcasing in Mexico the very best of British creativity and British-Mexican collaborations in action in order to build a legacy that will underpin a deepening political, economic and cultural relationship in the future.
3. Throughout “the Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” and “the Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico” the signatories of this Statement will, for the purpose of ensuring a long term legacy from these events, undertake joint projects, agreed at Government level, and commit themselves to lend their support to the various programmes of cultural activities, economic events, and academic seminars, as well as supporting initiatives encouraging cooperation between public or private organisations.
4. The organisation of “the Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” and “the Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico” will be coordinated in Mexico by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Kingdom by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
5. The coordinating bodies in each country will support the implementation of the other country’s programme of activities, facilitating the inclusion of different stakeholders.
6. The Dual year will also serve to encourage contacts between key stakeholders in both countries.
7. For the purpose of the Dual Year, a ‘High Level Group’, made up of individuals from across the sectors represented in the Year, and co-chaired by the signatories of this declaration or by whom they decide, will be formed to establish the high level vision, leverage the participation of key individuals and institutions in both countries, develop strategic linkages, support efforts to secure corporate sponsorship and ensure good governance of the Dual Year. This Group may meet regularly, at the invitation of either country.
8. Mexico will form an “Organising Committee” and the United Kingdom will form a “Programme Board”, each with members drawn from institutions or establishments each deems pertinent and with representatives of the other country by invitation, which will provide overall direction to the content of the programme, source funding for the Year’s activities, ensure good management and governance, and link the Dual Years. The Organising Committee and the Programme Board will be charged with the implementation of this Joint Statement. In order to facilitate this work, they will each oversee three working groups: a) Arts and Creative Economy; b) Education, Science and Innovation; c) for the UK, Trade and Investment, and for Mexico, Trade, Investment and Tourism. Each country will determine the precise composition of these working groups, their agenda and terms of engagement. The working groups will report progress in their respective areas to the relevant Organising Committee or Programme Board.
Four original copies of this document were signed in London on the eleventh day of June of the year two thousand and fourteen, in Spanish and English.
SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
UNITED MEXICAN STATES FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
JOSÉ ANTONIO MEADE KURIBREÑA WILLIAM HAGUE
4th of July, 2013
Year will promote British culture in Mexico and Mexican culture in the UK as way to strengthen ties between individuals, organisations, governments and the building of bilateral trust and engagement.
LONDON, United Kingdom, 4th of July 2013- It is now official that 2015 will be designated as the the “Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico and the “Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom.”
The governments of both countries will promote British culture in Mexico and Mexican culture in the UK, as a way to strengthen ties between individuals, organisations, governments and the building of bilateral trust and engagement.
Through signing a joint statement on the matter, Mexico and the United Kingdom have pledged to promote a programme of events involving culture and innovative industries, as well as and participation in international cultural festivals and conferences and the exchange of information and personnel in these fields.
Moreover they expressed their willingness to give an impetus to contact at all levels and to encourage programmes, including the facilitation of visits and exchanges, in education, the arts, science and innovation and the creative industries.
Both countries will encourage the widest possible representation of cultures of their countries in terms of geographical, ethnic and creative diversity. Moreover, the programmes will include events related but not limited to education, language learning, the arts, science and innovation and the creative industries.
After signing the joint statement, the President of Mexico’s National Council for Culture and arts (CONACULTA), Rafael Tovar y de Teresa and the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries Edward Vaizey, expressed their satisfaction with the depth and frequency of cultural, and creative contact between the two countries and underlined the importance of cultural relations.
Coordination of the British events in Mexico and the Mexican events in the UK in relation to the Year programmes will rest with the respective Embassies, with the support of the British Council, CONACULTA and AMEXCID.
The Joint Statement took place after talks in April 2013 between the UK Minister of State for Science and Innovation, David Willetts and Mexico’s Secretary for Education, Emilio Chuayffet Chemor, as well as other conversations between high ranking officials on how to further strengthen the links between both countries.
The President of Mexico´s National Council for Culture and Arts (CONACULTA), Rafael Tovar y de Teresa and Minister for Culture, Communications, and Creative Industries of the United Kingdom, Ed Vaizey signed a joint declaration to designate 2015 as the "Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico" and "Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom."