Mexico
Overview
Mexico, the 5th largest country in the Americas, has a free market economy in the trillion dollar class that contains a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture. Per capita income is roughly a third that of the US and income distribution remains highly unequal. The country’s many economic challenges include widespread poverty, an antiquated infrastructure, and job loss due to free-trade era competition. While Mexico’s Jewish roots date back to colonial times, most of its Jewish population arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries after fleeing religious persecution in Europe. Today, 95% of area Jews live in Mexico City and its surrounding suburbs, with the remaining 5% living in Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, and Cancun. Some 95% of Jewish families belong to a synagogue and over 90% of their children attend Jewish school.
Need
Due to the diminishing opportunities for the middle class and the pressures of globalization and free trade agreements, there is a great need for business development in the Jewish community in order to ensure a self-sustaining future. By providing skills and job training, the risk of chronic poverty and underemployment is lessened.
Response
JDC collaborates with the Fundación Activa's Business Center to support new enterprises and grow existing businesses in the Jewish community. JDC’s efforts also include:
- Training programs and seminars to build leadership teams for Jewish community life
- Leatid training seminars in strategic planning and community development
Impact
Some JDC accomplishments include:
- Fundación Activa inclusion in the employment and small-business centers network in Latin America
- A growing pool of trained professionals able to compete for employment
» Return to Latin America