A Leadership Conference to Empower Border Youth

AMOUNT: $15,000 US

PROJECT LEADERS: Jose C. Velasco, Gonzalo Rodriguez-Villanueva

INSTITUTIONS: Maricopa Community College and Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora

Maricopa Community College, in partnership with the Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora (ITSON), Cochise College in Douglas, the Instituto Tecnológico de Agua Prieta, and Pima Community College in Tucson, organized a seven-day conference to convene a bi-national group of 50 young leaders (ages 16-22) from Sonora and Arizona. The participants listened to in-depth briefings on border issues in education, environment, health, economic development, and the socio-political realities inherent to border communities, with a focus on the Arizona-Sonora border. The young leaders were briefed by experts representing multiple sectors including government, NGOs, private business, community leaders, and university faculty. Group work provided an opportunity for participants to contribute their own opinions and recommendations for border solutions. Participants were trained in leadership skills including conflict resolution, team-work development, public speaking, and motivational exercises. At the close of the conference, participants presented a common vision and plan of action for the Arizona-Sonora borderlands that will be presented to the Border Issues Committee of the Arizona-Mexico Commission and the Sonora-Arizona Commission.