IME DIRECTOR VALDIVIA IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Dr. Arnulfo Valdivia Machuca, Director of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME), traveled to Phoenix, Arizona from April 5-7 for several events with the Mexican communities there.

In addition to meeting with current and former advisors of the Arizona Chapter of the IME Advisory Board, Dr. Valdivia presided over a public ceremony in which funds were given to the Health Windows program and attended the special vaccination campaign against hepatitis at the Mexican consulate.

With the goal of using culture to help integrate Mexicans into the societies where they live, he also attended the screening of a Mexican film “Years Later” at the Phoenix Film Festival and had an interview with the director of the Arizona Opera, Scott Altman. Arts and culture are instruments of diplomacy that help balance perceptions of Mexico. These events were designed to improve the image of Mexico and the Mexican communities within a society that is increasingly interested in Mexican art and culture.

Lastly, he met with Councilman Michael Nowakowski of Phoenix City Council District 7, Executive Vice President of the Cesar Chavez Foundation and Executive Vice President of Communications for Radio Campesina, as well as with the Executive Committee representative of the National Council of La Raza, Danny Ortega, to whom he emphasized the social and economic contribution that Mexicans bring to the cities and states in which they live.