SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Within the Primer Informe, or first report, of his term, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto outlined the path toward ensuring Mexico’s future economic success. This path includes the creation and strengthening of labor, social and cultural programs designed to help migrants return.
As an indicator of the progress already being made by his administration on this front, President Peña Nieto singled out the partnership formed between the Mexican Federal Government and Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT) in the report. MATT is a bi-national organization focused on building cultural and economic bridges between the U.S. and Mexico.
MATT has developed an initiative called Yo Soy México. Working collaboratively with the Mexican Federal and State Governments, the private sector and other non-governmental organizations and academic institutions, the program assesses the skills and labor capabilities of those returning to Mexico from the U.S. and matches them to jobs, investment and education opportunities. MATT created Yo Soy México to offer a solution to the unprecedented return of Mexican migrants to their home country. Through its efforts, 24,000 companies, to date, have agreed to offer job opportunities.
Between 2005 and 2010, approximately 1.4 million Mexicans returned to Mexico for a variety of reasons. As the trend continues, a central question has emerged: how can this returning population transition successfully into the Mexican private sector and be active in improving the local economy as well as their family’s economic standing?
To better understand the specific needs of the returning migrants as it administers Yo Soy México, MATT is in the process of conducting an extensive study with returning migrants. This first-of-its-kind research is being conducted in partnership with Southern Methodist University. The study features two-hour interviews with 600 returning migrants in the Mexican state of Jalisco and will get to the heart of the many issues facing them today and why they are choosing to return to Mexico in historic numbers. The study’s results are expected to be released in fall 2013.
For more information on MATT and Yo Soy México, visit www.MATT.org.
About MATT
Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT) is a bi-national organization focused on building cultural and economic bridges between the U.S. and Mexico. MATT works with and within government sectors, private organizations, academic institutions and other civic organizations to form strategic alliances. We initiate and guide this cooperation into the creation of public programs, policies and initiatives that empower people to thrive and become active members of their own community. Visit www.MATT.org for additional information.
