Getting started with welcoming work: Mexico
Photo credit: Sin Fronteras
“Creating spaces for dialogue between Mexicans and foreigners is more important than ever. We need to listen to each other and recognize ourselves as part of a community. Our celebration will showcase union and cooperation, an open-door Mexican party.” — Tamara Aranda, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator at Sin Fronteras
In 2023, the first-ever Welcoming Week activities in Mexico aimed to tell the story of welcoming communities and build broader support for migrant populations in Mexico.
Sin Fronteras partnered with Welcoming America to receive support in planning their first Welcoming Week events. They received resources such as multilingual toolkits, technical assistance, and international peer connections to activate a national social media campaign. Throughout Welcoming Week 2023, Sin Fronteras was very active on social media, using the hashtag #SemanaDeBienvenida and sharing photos and reflections from their events.
Sin Fronteras hosted an “artivist” mural painting project, a bridge-building event, and other gatherings that brought neighbors together in Mexico City, Querétaro, and Tijuana.
The energy of these activities prompted UNHCR’s Representative in Mexico to make a statement encouraging communities to celebrate Welcoming Week, and the state legislature of Querétaro made a proclamation declaring Welcoming Week in their region.