Children from 8-14 years old from 17 Latin American countries received awards this morning from the Foreign Ministry for best sixth grade student and for the children's painting contest. Both were organized by the Foreign Ministry's Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID).
This is the first opportunity that many of the children have had to travel outside of their countries together with their parents. Thirty-four girls and boys kicked off their recreational and cultural trip with a breakfast at the Foreign Ministry on Monday. The trip is an opportunity for them to learn about Mexico and make new friends from Central America, South America and the Dominican Republic.
The experience is part of the Mexico Schools program, which helps improve Latin American schools named for Mexico, its leaders or cities by providing incentives to its students and teachers to improve their academic performance and strengthen Mexico's ties with the region.
For Kevin Andrés González of Colombia, winner of the best sixth grade student award, his visit to Mexico will be the first of many trips. The Mexico Schools program has helped improve his school, he said.
Juan Ignacio Fuentes, from Argentina, winner of the painting contest on the Mexican constitution, said that being in Mexico meant "learning new values, new customs." He said that he hoped to learn more about Mexico's food, art and history during his visit.
The winners and their family members were welcomed by Ambassador Agustín García López-Loaeza, Executive Director of AMEXCID, who pointed out that education and culture are the best ways to ensure progress and create closer ties between societies. He reiterated that the program is a reflection of Mexico's commitment to assisting the countries of the region.
Awards, medals and watches were given out by the Mexican government at the ceremony, as well as gifts from Grupo Bimbo and Kidzania, two commercial sponsors.
The breakfast was also attended by members of the Latin American diplomatic corps in Mexico; sponsors of the activities planned for the children such as the Museum of Memory and Tolerance, Cinépolis, Grupo Carso, the Papalote Museum and the Ritz Hotel; as well as officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Currently, the Mexico Schools program contributes to the improvement of 146 schools in Latin American countries. It has benefited more than 52,000 students.
