Mexico City, March 21 – The Mexico City Congress successfully concluded its “Youth Legislathon” workshop, a two-day event held on March 13 and 20, which saw the participation of nearly 100 students from various educational institutions across Mexico City and the State of Mexico. The initiative, organized by Deputy Alberto Vanegas Arenas, aimed to gather insights, opinions, and proposals from young people aged 17 to 29, with the premise of moving “from idea to law.”
Students Engage in Legislative Process and Propose Initiatives
The workshop, held in the “Nelson Mandela” Hall of the local Congress, provided 70 young participants with a foundational understanding of parliamentary work. Over the two sessions, students developed proposals for initiatives across four crucial areas: mental health, civic participation, education and culture, and the environment.
Deputy Vanegas Arenas, a member of the MORENA parliamentary group, emphasized the importance of this exchange of ideas. He stated that it is fundamental for the public to understand the legislative process and the political and social dynamics involved in creating and reforming laws. “The participation and opinion of young people are essential for updating legislation and generating new laws,” he underscored.
Key Proposals from the Youth Legislathon
Among the notable proposals put forth by the students were initiatives to regulate and sanction the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as its inclusion in educational curricula at all levels. Additionally, participants suggested recognizing young people aged 16 and 17 as active subjects in the allocation of participatory budgets. Proposals for environmental protection, including intervention measures with appropriate protocols, were also presented.
Vanegas Arenas also highlighted that the Mexico City Political Constitution is considered one of the most advanced globally, but stressed the importance of addressing issues like social change and mobility. He expressed hope that participants of the “Youth Legislathon” would attend an ordinary session of the Congress in the future.
Legislators Emphasize Community Engagement and Perseverance
Deputy Pedro Haces Lago addressed the participants, explaining that legislative work extends beyond sessions within the Donceles precinct. He noted that deputies frequently visit their districts to understand the demands of the populace. Haces Lago encouraged the attendees to continue advocating for the changes society needs, urging them to “never stop fighting for your dreams. Fighting for your dreams requires discipline and love for what we do.”
Other deputies from the MORENA parliamentary group, including Juana María Juárez López, Leonor Gómez Otegui, and Fernando Zárate Salgado, also participated in the two-day “Youth Legislathon.”
Future Impact of Youth Proposals
The proposals generated during the “Youth Legislathon” are expected to be incorporated by legislators into new initiatives aimed at improving life in the capital. This event underscores the Mexico City Congress’s commitment to fostering youth engagement in the legislative process and ensuring that the voices of younger generations are heard and considered in policy-making.
Source: https://www.congresocdmx.gob.mx/comsoc-realiza-congreso-cdmx-legislaton-juvenil-7248-1.html
