February 2011 The Right to Cultural Identity. Cultural Identity The draft definition of cultural rights is as follows: A set of cultural references through.

February 2011

The Right to Cultural Identity

Cultural Identity

The draft definition of cultural rights is as follows:

A set of cultural references through which a person or a group of persons define themselves and want to be recognized; involves the freedom that is inherent to the dignity of the individual and integrates cultural diversity, the particular and the universal, the memory and the project in an ongoing process.

The Right to Cultural Identity

The right of every ethnic/cultural group and its members to belong to a given culture and to be recognized as different; to keep its own culture and tangible or intangible cultural heritage; and not to be forced to belong to a different culture or be assimilated by it.

Characteristics of the Right to Cultural Identity:

• Includes individual and collective rights;

• Requires the realization and effective exercise of all human rights;

• The primary guarantor of the right to cultural identity is the State where the ethnic/cultural group is;

• The international community is also responsible for protecting the right to cultural identity.

Protection of Cultural Identity:

• A right that is constantly evolving and that depends on the cultural rights;

• Has not been fully recognized;

• Alternatives need to be found at an international level to ensure full validity of ethnic/cultural rights.

International Legal Instruments to Protect the Right to Cultural Identity:

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 27 & 22);

• International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Article 15);

• American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (Article XIII);

• Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights concerning Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Article 14).

The Right to Cultural Identity in the American Convention on Human Rights:

• The right to life of ethnic/cultural groups;

• A dignified life, territory, and traditional economic/cultural activities;

• The right to personal integrity;

• Freedom of conscience and religion;

• Freedom of expression and the right to education;

• Political rights;

• The right to property;

• Judicial guarantees;

• Equality before the law.

Programmes and Services for Mexican Communities

Abroad

I. Statistical Data

II. What is the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME)?

III. Objectives of IME

IV. IME Advisory Council (CCIME)

V. Programmes

VI. Services

VII. Achievements

VIII. Challenges

IX. International Cooperation

CONTENTS

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Statistical Data• First Minority: The Hispanic population is the first minority in

the USA, with about 43 million persons. Hispanics of Mexican origin account for 60% of the total number of Hispanics.

• Concentration: 98% of Mexicans abroad live in the USA (39% in California and 23% in Texas).

• Dimension: Out of 30 million people of Mexican origin living in the USA, approximately 12 were born in Mexico (7 million are undocumented).

• Financial Contribution: 27% of the foreign workers in the USA are Mexicans (1 of every 4).

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Statistical Data• Remittances: In 2009, Mexicans living abroad

sent remittances in the amount of US$21,142 million (2.1 of the GDP) – a 15.6% reduction compared to 2008. In November 2010, Banxico informed that the remittances were US$1,632.2 million, an amount that is 8.6% higher than the amount for November 2009.

• Education: 3 out of every 5 (60.2%) Mexicans living in the USA did not finish high school; only 5% went to college.

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Statistical Data

• Health: 6.7 million Mexican migrants do not have any health insurance.

• Naturalization: Of the Mexicans who were not born in the USA and who had the legal possibility of becoming naturalized, 30% have done this, compared to 42% for other groups of immigrants.

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What is the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME)?

• A decentralized entity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acting as the executive body of an Inter-Secretarial Committee.

• Operates through the 56 consular offices of Mexico in the USA and Canada.

• Two defining characteristics: The Chairman is a migrant and the Advisory Council is composed of independent leaders or representatives.

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Objectives of IME• To develop effective public policies in order to

promote the improvement of the living conditions of migrants and their families.

• To promote the integration of migrants into the receiving society and at the same time, to strengthen links with their country of origin.

• To support the consolidation of communities of Mexican origin as a bridge to promote understanding between Mexico, United States, and Canada (the diaspora as an integration force).

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IME as a Network of Networks

• Advisory Council (CCIME 2009-2011) with 128 members elected by the communities. – Serve 3 years without

immediate re-election; – Meet in plenary twice a

year and work in 7 Committees.

• CCIME: a) A meeting point;b) A tool to create synergies

around a shared agenda;c) A platform for lobbying

before Mexican, US, and Canadian authorities.

PROGRAMMES

•EDUCATION

•HEALTH

•CULTURE

•ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

EDUCATION • Teacher exchange• Community posts• IME scholarships• A transfer document• Donating textbooks• Long Distance High School• Long Distance College• Certificate of Labour Competencies

HEALTH

•Binational Health Week

•Health Windows

CULTURE

• “This is my Mexico” Drawing Contest • “A Story of Migrants” Contest• Worldwide “Mariachi” Contest• Worldwide Cell Phone Film Contest• International Migration Thesis Contest• Gastronomy Week

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

• Agreements between Banks and Consulates

• Housing Programme: “Mi casa en México” (My home in Mexico)

• 3 x 1 Programme • Remittances:

– Directly to Mexico– Remittance Calculator

• Talent Network

A programme of 10 information days each year:

- 400 leaders and experts each year - More than 2,800 participants in

2003-2010

- Timely Information System at Consulates

- “Ohtli” Award

Information agenda:

• “Lazos” newsletter• Website www.ime.gob.mx• Directory of organizations• Origin-destination information

system of Mexican communities

SERVICES

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ACHIEVEMENTS

• The best communication channel of the Federal Government with its diaspora: programme formulator

• Building a strong network of contacts with the community in North America

• Disseminating timely and useful information about programmes and services

Towards the Future• Alignment with protection for

Mexicans abroad• To expand and diversify the

network of alliances to ensure sustainability

• To promote continuous evaluation• A comprehensive information and

dissemination system (intensive use of technology)

• To expand education alternatives • To globalize programmes

International Cooperation• The different alliances are oriented toward

building capacity to better assist communities abroad and share international experiences.

• The following agreements have been signed to date:- Memos of Understanding with Bolivia,

Ecuador, Paraguay, Turkey, and Uruguay.

- Within the framework of CIRED, relations have been established with Chile, Colombia, Scotland, India, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa.

MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY AND THE SECRETARIAT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF

THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES ON COOPERATION IN MATTERS OF ASSISTANCE TO NATIONAL COMMUNITIES ABROAD

 Objective:

To establish cooperation mechanisms between the parties in those areas considered to be convenient to provide support in matters of assistance to Turkish and Mexican communities living in third States.

The parties shall exchange information about collaboration efforts being implemented in matters of assistance to Turkish and Mexican communities abroad, including efforts being jointly implemented with other actors and which any of the parties would be interested in joining, if feasible.

Visit our website:

www.ime.gob.mx