THE INSTITUTE FOR MEXICANS ABROAD HOLDS ITS ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING

The Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) held its annual planning meeting in Mexico City from February 20 – 22, 2013. Fifty-seven community affairs officers from Mexico’s embassies and consulates in the United States attended the meeting.

During the event, Undersecretary for North America Sergio Alcocer stressed the importance of working with the Mexican communities abroad in each consular district, especially given the immigration debate in the U.S.

IME Director Arnulfo Valdivia said that the IME’s tenth anniversary was an excellent opportunity to evaluate its programs in order to strengthen and duplicate the most successful ones. He also said that it was and will be essential to continue to work closely with the IME’s community partners.

During the meeting, the community affairs officers exchanged experiences and opinions with representatives from the IME and federal agencies responsible for the programs for Mexicans abroad. They analyzed education programs such as the IME scholarships, the health windows, productive and business-related remittances and the Mexican Talent Network.

Lastly, lines of action were established to strengthen coordination with the advisors of the IME Advisory Council, whose recommendations help develop public policies that benefit Mexicans abroad.