Baja California youth forums boost civic participation

In Mexicali, Mayor Norma Bustamante chaired the "Forum of the Youths – Uniendo Esfuerzos" at the Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Baja California (COBACH). The event featured talks on responsible 911 use and mental health and gathered municipal officials, including the director of Public Security and members of the Territorial Coordination Board, to hear young people’s concerns about security, infrastructure and social support.

In Tijuana, the Sixth Youth Cabildo was inaugurated in the municipal palace courtyard. Thirty‑four young participants, selected from about 100 proposals, took office under youth mayor Maximiliano Estrada Jiménez and youth councilor Larissa Arela Anaya Hurtado. The ceremony, led by city secretary Abdiel Gutiérrez Coronado, emphasized the goal of involving youths in drafting municipal regulations and strengthening citizen participation.

Both initiatives aim to give teenagers a formal voice in local governance and encourage them to propose reforms for their cities.