Forging the Future

Mexicans have a legacy that is pre-Hispanic, colonial, independent, democratic, and revolutionary. The past for us has been our identity and a source of inspiration, and so it will remain in my government. We are heirs to an ancient tradition that survives today in indigenous languages and cultures. We are the expression of the Hispanic culture. Our institutional vocation is a fact proven by history. Very few countries, not only in Latin America but worldwide, have had our continuity, since 1934, in witnessing the swearing in of a new President every six years.

During these years, the country has maintained internal political order. Mexico has progressed without dictatorship, which was the aim of our revolution. Full democracy has taken time, but today democracy has been consolidated and become part of our culture. Generations of women, men, thinkers, politicians, activists, and citizens have worked to make the democratic Mexico of today. In Mexico, there is a real separation of powers and there exists a healthy plurality of parties in Congress. Federalism in Mexico is not an ideal, but a reality.

These achievements have included bringing macroeconomic stability to the country over the past three decades. After surviving a number of successive financial crises, Mexicans have learned hard lessons. It is now up to us to use this platform to accelerate growth. We have an historic opportunity to project Mexico to the world, for it to become the economic powerhouse that it deserves to be.

We currently have a clear picture of what Mexico needs to sustainably accelerate its development and economic growth so that it is able to realize the huge potential it has in both natural, and, more importantly, human resources.

We also need to rediscover ourselves and our strengths. We are living in a new political climate, which fortunately for Mexico allows for different visions. This climate helps us to reach agreements that allow us to move toward better conditions, especially in terms of transforming our legal codes and institutions so that they are more in line with the social and political realities of today.

Mexico today has a number of strengths, including a high level of macroeconomic stability and low debt. This puts it above many countries and gives us the confidence to move forward and a mandate to use our wealth for the benefit of all Mexico. At the same time we have a clear diagnosis, too, of what we have to change. That is the challenge for this government.

We want a Mexico that is free of violence, a Mexico of peace and tranquility for all Mexicans. We want an inclusive Mexico and a Mexico that recognizes the importance of quality of education, because education sustains and supports the development of any nation.

In order to accomplish this, we must grow at an even faster rate. This is the aim of a government-wide effort to give more credit to productive projects, to develop more competitive industrial policies, and to create more jobs and opportunities for Mexicans. I am convinced that if we achieve these objectives, Mexico will assume a greater role in the world, able to support and defend the noblest causes that humanity has.

Our vision for Mexico is to never become complacent. We must harness the current spirit of change and transformation and engage all sectors of society and the economy to forge a new future for the nation. As President of Mexico, I call on everyone without distinction of party, social standing, or ideology in order to reach shared goals. This is precisely what has been proposed by the Pact for Mexico. Because reform cannot succeed without the support of a large majority, we are laying at the foundations of this a level of political agreement and dialogue that allows for democracy, economic growth, and the reduction of poverty and social inequality.

Mexico is commencing a new stage of democratic life. Now is the time to come together and take the next step in improving our democracy. In this way, policy makers should, or must, walk together. We need dialogue to build consensus. This decisive moment in the life of our Republic requires politicians to reach agreement. It is a great display of political maturity that the political parties in Mexico have come together to sign the Pact for Mexico.

The Pact includes five essential agreements for our national life. Firstly, to transform Mexico into a society of rights, so that all Mexicans can exercise the rights set out in our Constitution. Secondly, to promote economic growth, employment and competitiveness, to create conditions that allow Mexico to grow to its true potential. Thirdly, to foster security and justice, in order to realize the desire and right of Mexicans to live in an environment of peace and tranquility. Fourthly, to increase transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption measures. Finally, to perfect conditions for democratic governance.

Based on these five major agreements, we, as political actors, have managed to lay the foundations of a consensus aimed at jointly improving our country. The signing of the Pact for Mexico shows that we can agree. It is unequivocal proof that with political will and a shared vision of the future, the transformation of our country will be possible. Beyond good intentions, this is a visionary initiative that will allow us to build a future based on the shared goals of various political expressions. It is an innovative agreement that imposes specific goals and deadlines to achieve them. It is also a realistic agreement, detailing practical tools to carry out the aims within a realm of clear facts. The Pact does not replace or limit the legislative process. It strengthens and opens a new avenue to reach agreements and build majorities.

The Pact for Mexico is a major political agreement, but it is also a national project that everyone can share in and endorse. We invite civil society organizations, researchers, academics, unions, business leaders, and the media to join and adhere to this Pact for Mexico. We invite each and every one of our citizens to know this Pact, and to make it their own. Through the various social networks and technology platforms, we will open this Pact to society. Everyone can sign it and join in the great transformation of Mexico. We all need to promote Mexico’s transformation, and recognize that this is Mexico’s time.

© The Business Year – March 2013