In June 2021, Mexico will hold federal elections. This proposes different challenges, so on February 18 the first gathering for alumni was held with the theme: “Challenges in Mexico City 2021-2024“, an event organized by Xiuh Tenorio – President of the Alumni Association – and the Alumni Office.

In this first gathering more than 150 alumni joined, and had the participation of distinguished graduates such as Andrés Atayde, President of PAN at Mexico City; Fernanda Bayardo, Benito Juárez delegation’s counselor and former deputy from PRI; Fernanda Caso, analist and journalist; Vidal Llerenas, licensed Mayor of Azcapotzalco from the MORENA political party; and Armando Ríos Piter, President of the Fuerza por México CDMX party.

In June 2021, Mexico will hold federal elections. This proposes different challenges, so on February 18 the first gathering for alumni was held with the theme: “Challenges in Mexico City 2021-2024“, an event organized by Xiuh Tenorio – President of the Alumni Association – and the Alumni Office.

In this first gathering more than 150 alumni joined, and had the participation of distinguished graduates such as Andrés Atayde, President of PAN at Mexico City; Fernanda Bayardo, Benito Juárez delegation’s counselor and former deputy from PRI; Fernanda Caso, analist and journalist; Vidal Llerenas, licensed Mayor of Azcapotzalco from the MORENA political party; and Armando Ríos Piter, President of the Fuerza por México CDMX party.

The gathering was moderated by Ana Montaño, Social and Human Development’s Director of Miguel Hidalgo delegation, who guided the panelists through three stages:

1. Evaluation of the government of Mexico City.
2. Challenges that Mexico City presents in the next three years.
3. Conclusions and closing.

Evaluation of the government of Mexico City

At the beginning, each panelist exposed its opinion about the current administration of the city, expressing their concern  for the current crisis in the city, as well as the good and bad side of what has been done, especially the measures and actions that have been taken.

At first, Andrés Atayde, former student of the Degree in Economics and Political Science from ITAM, spoke about the gender violence that exists against women, the economic crisis of 2019, and how it was the most violent year. Then, Fernanda Bayardo, former student of the Degree in Economics and Political Science from ITAM, besides talking about the economic crisis, she talked about the health emergency which is going through the country, and how poverty has grown, where there are citizens who don’t have the sufficient income to afford the basic food basket.

In the other hand, Fernanda Caso, former student of the Law Degree of ITAM, commented about the intrafamilial violence and against women. However, she also spoke about the decrease in homicides and kidnappings. Likewise, Vidal Llerenas, former student of the Degree in Economics by ITAM, alluded to the existence of good results in the government, for example, progress in technological issues.

Finally, Armando Ríos, former student of the Degree in Economics of ITAM, recalled that Mexican society has not changed in the last 30 years. There have been sets of leaders aligned with the traditional, where there is a limited sector of society to participate in decision-making. In the same way, he stressed that it is society who must have power.

Challenges that Mexico City presents in the next three years.

Returning to his premise, Armando claimed that principle challenges that face the Mexican society is the hunger for participation. It is necessary to give strength to the people, that everyone sees that there is the change, and that the government is the vehicle of the voice and decisions of the people. Later, according to Vidal Llerenas, the mobility and the battle against the violence are challenges where is important to start acting for the construction of one of the best cities in the continent.

In the other hand, Fernanda Caso formulated the nest challenges: mobility, lack of water in some delegations, irregularities in the urban development, the awareness of the problem, and finally the pandemic and the and the serious situation in which the country finds itself.

Some challenges that is facing and will continue to face the Mexican society in the next three years is to have a decent income, mobility, and violence against women. Finally, Andrés mentioned that the weak point is the delegation’s offices and the city congress, and emphasized in recognizing that there is a crisis, both health and economic.

Conclusions and closing of the gathering

To conclude the gathering, each speaker recapitulated their ideas, mentioning that it is true that there are crises in Mexico City, and it is imperative to do something about it to see a change soon. We are lacking citizen participation along with a more power of decision, as well as more transparency.

Is truth that the next three years will have different challenges; however, it is possible to see good results that are directed towards an increase in the construction of the Mexican identity that propel the country.