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Special Initiatives
In addition to its five key issue areas, the Mexico Institute works on several special initiatives.
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Mexico Public Health Initiative
The Mexico Public Health Initiative works to create open spaces for dynamic and productive dialogue on issues of fundamental importance to the future of Mexican health systems.
FARM LABOR AND MEXICO’S EXPORT PRODUCE INDUSTRY
In the study, we analyze production and employment systems in selected commodities that are exported from Mexico to the United States, interview farm workers to learn about worker characteristics and migration patterns, and conduct focus groups to better understand the operation of the farm labor market and identify gaps in labor protections.
PROJECT | ACCESSING JUSTICE: FEMICIDE AND THE RULE OF LAW IN LATIN AMERICA
The Wilson Center's project examines gender-based violence in Latin America with a focus on its most extreme form, femicide—the killing of a woman due to her gender—through a rule of law perspective.
5G Beyond Borders
The Wilson Center’s 5G Beyond Borders project explores how the US, Canada, and Mexico can work together to maximize the benefits of 5G and related technology through informed policy solutions.
The North American Workforce Development Initiative
The Mexico Institute's North American Workforce Development Initiative seeks to establish a forward-looking dialogue among the three North American countries on the issue of workforce development.
NAFTA/USMCA Resource Page
As a joint initiative, the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute and Canada Institute have a NAFTA/USMCA resource page that provides up-to-date coverage as the USMCA ratification process progresses. We invite you to check back frequently for updates to this resource.
US-MEXICO AMBASSADORS' CONVOCATION
Convocation is a program led by the US-Mexico Foundation and the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute that brings together former Ambassadors of the United States to Mexico and from Mexico to the United States to identify challenges and opportunities in the bilateral relationship.
The US-Mexico Border Industry Mapping Tool
This interactive map demonstrates the unique binational nature of the border- region economies between the US and Mexico and uses comparable data available on both sides of the border, employing a consistent approach to the length on the US-Mexico border and allowing a comparative view of the unique strengths of each sub-region.
More Initiatives
High-Level Innovation Forum for Mexican Policymakers
Since 2013, the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Fundación IDEA, the Mexican Chamber of Federal Deputies and the Mexican Chamber of Senators have worked together to create spaces where a restricted and select group of Mexican federal senators and deputies can debate with legislators from other countries and experts on ideas, legislative initiatives and public policy recommendations that trigger innovation in the country.
The High-Level Innovation Forums for Mexican Policymakers are closed-door events that bring together Mexican legislators from all political parties working on issues related to innovation. These events include panels and discussion tables with businessmen, entrepreneurs, legislators, politicians and other national and foreign experts on the subject, where trends and barriers to innovation in Mexico are discussed. It also addresses possible legislative initiatives that will enhance the regulatory and normative environment for innovation in the country; and it offers legislators the opportunity to get to know business and academic innovation centers.
The Forum is held annually, on selected dates that are compatible with the Mexican legislative calendar. The venue is chosen to favor the presence of experts in the specific topics to be discussed in the Forum. Up to date, there have been six editions, where US venues have been privileged, taking into consideration the country's historical reputation in terms of its capacity to promote innovation, as well as its geographical proximity.
More About the High-Level Innovation Forum for Mexican Policymakers
For more information on our Innovation Forum or for Sponsorship Opportunities, contact Samantha.Kane@Wilsoncenter.org
The Woodrow Wilson Awards
The Woodrow Wilson Award is given to those individuals whose actions and accomplishments, either in their careers or through service, reflect President Woodrow Wilson’s belief that “there is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.” Such individuals have been recognized worldwide by The Wilson Center since 1998.
Previous Mexico Institute awardees have included:
2004- Don Lorenzo Servitje Sendra
2005- Lorenzo H. Zambrano
2007- Licencado Don Alberto Bailléres González
2008- Don Eugenio Garza Lagüera
2010- Alfredo Achar Tussie, Miguel Mancera Aguayo
2011- Javier Bours Almada and Alejandro Marti Garcia
2013- Guadalupe Arizpe de De la Vega and Federico Terrazas Torres
2014- Claudio X. González Laporte, Ambassador Carla Hills, and Dr. Jaime Serra Puche
2016 - Don Antonio del Valle Ruiz, Don Fernando Solana (RIP)
2018 - Don Juan Francisco Beckmann Vidal, Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
2019 - Juan Ignacio Gallardo Thurlow, Marta Sánchez Soler, and Antonio Madero Bracho
Congressional Outreach
The Wilson Center organizes frequent briefings on the Hill to bring analysis and discussion of US-Mexico policy options to US congressional audiences. Mexico Institute experts have also given testimonies before Congress.
Mexican Politics & Elections Resource
This resource tracks major political developments in Mexico and provides publications and analysis on the Mexican political system. Additionally, for archival and research purposes, the Mexico Institute maintains its 2018, 2015, and 2012 Mexican Election Guides, which provided the latest polling numbers, analysis, and opinion on Mexico's recent elections.
Our Key Issue Areas
Economic Competitiveness
The area of economic competitiveness has acquired extra importance given the ongoing USMCA implementation process and review of regional economic relations. The Mexico Institute is undertaking research and developing policy ideas for the next stage of US-Mexico economic relations, covering issues ranging from the implementation of the USMCA to innovation and educational exchange.
Migration & Migrants
Mexico Institute work on migration covers key topics, including migration from Central America, farm labor and migrant workers' rights, border security, and opportunities for bilateral cooperation on migration.
Energy and Natural Resources
The Mexico Institute continues its work on cooperation in renewable energy between Mexico and the United States. The Institute also follows energy policies and cooperation on natural resource management between the two countries.
Border Issues
Rhetoric and reality on the US-Mexico border are often misaligned. In an effort to promote a more realistic and holistic approach to the border, the Mexico Institute focuses on issues of economic development and competitiveness; border security and citizen security; environmental sustainability; and quality of life in the border region.
Security & Rule of Law
The Mexico Institute continues to focus on the challenges facing Mexico in the areas of the rule of law and US-Mexico security cooperation, and will continue to produce policy-relevant research in this area.