The 2 nd National Children’s Conference took place at the CESDER ( Rural Development Studies Center ) buildings in Zautla , Puebla , November 18-19, 2006 . Twenty young people and 7 of their companions participated, as well as representatives of FAI Nexapa, FAI Sonora, AUGE Veracruz, ALCADECO Chihuahua, EDUCE Quintana Roo, Ashoka, CESDER and Cauce.
The conference opened with a session to set the work agenda, to which the young people also contributed.
An historic summary was drawn up, detailing important themes covered in national and Mesoamerican conferences since 2002. For example:
- Globalization, its effects on our communities and ways of dealing with them
- Cultural, individual and collective identity
- Sustainable development and alternative modernities
- The rights of young people
The Mesoamerican network Youth without Borders made a presentation highlighting their goals and objectives, as well as their achievements after four years of hard work.
Each participant in the conference was given the chance to say what he or she expected and wished to gain from the conference.
Participants also conducted an analysis of the context in which we currently live. Commentaries included:
- It’s interesting to see each personal experience as a motivation and reaffirmation of the need for change.
- We need to know our rights and be able to decide what we will or won’t do.
- This is a very important space where we can unify our different points of view and our struggles.
The first day ended with a Self-Esteem workshop that allowed many participants to reflect on the topic. The session ended with an exercise that gave each person the opportunity to draw an animal or an object he or she identified with personally.
On the second day, teams analyzed a series of questions related to networks and how they function, inviting all participants to become part of the Mesoamerican network. Several attendees expressed interest but said they would become involved bit by bit.
Finally, different agreements and commitments were proposed, among them:
- Eloy will form a consulting board and present it to the rest of the participants.
- The representatives will maintain constant communication to continue building bridges together.
- Participants will inform those not present of the activities and decisions made in this conference.
- A new Yahoo! e-mail account will allow constant communication.
One of the most important agreements was to meet every Wednesday and Sunday at 6:00p.m. to maintain contact and communication among all participants.
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