BCDF promotes community involvement in Human Rights Workshop for youth in Azumiatla

This month BCDF hosted a Human Rights Workshop for youth in Azumiatla in order to instill basic values of human rights as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the context of our current economic system where worker`s human rights are constantly violated, whether through meager wages, overtime hours without pay or unbearable working conditions, it is critical to raise a generation of entrepreneurs with a solid foundation in human rights.

The workshop was facilitated by law students from the Popular Autonomous University of Puebla (UPAEP) that form part of Active and Voluntary Students Community. The four day workshop that took place on January 21, 22, 28 and 29^th engages youth to think about their inalienable rights and the obligations that come with these rights. One of the main points of the workshop is to reflect on the obligation they have to participate actively in their communities, being a force for good in the society. The workshop covered topics such as human dignity, value of human life, freedom, law and justice, social and economic rights, and community involvement. The workshop was attended by over 20 young people ages ranging from ten to nineteen years of age. These young people actively engaged in activities such as role plays, poster drawing contests and puzzle solving.

The end of the workshop will be culminated by a day of community service, painting a mural in one of the public spaces in the community. Join us on saturday February 5th to renovate Azumiatla!

BCDF hosts its first Business Roundtable Discussion for young people in San Andrés Azumiatla

On January 11, 2011 BCDF and Endeavor Puebla co-sponsored a Business Roundtable Discussion for young people in Azumiatla. Business Roundtable Discussions are held on the second Tuesday of every month in Azumiatla with the goal of inspiring young people to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality by learning from experiences of established business people in Puebla. BCDF partnered with Endeavor, a global nonprofit that transforms emerging countries by supporting high-impact entrepreneurs, to identify business people who are not only financially successful but also deeply committed to Mexico`s social development.

BCDF`s first Business Roundtable Discussion hosted Josué Bereshit, the General Director of Soyamigo, a company that sells diverse soy products, who shared his experience in marketing health products in Mexico, a country that has one of the highest obesity rates in the world. Around twenty two young people engaged the speaker with tough questions and personal reflections. Jorge, a fourteen young man, asked Josué about how he overcame the moment when his company was about to disintegrate due to lack of liquidity. Fausta, a seventeen year old young woman, probed Josué about the different marketing strategies his company uses to dispel the myths that people have about soy products. At the end of the session, youth shared their own dreams about starting their own businesses. Whether opening a mechanic shop, publicity agency or a chain of restaurants, youth emphasized how they want to uplift their communities, starting innovative businesses and creating employment for community members.

The next Business Roundtable discussion will take place on Tuesday February 8, 2011, hosting Roberto Quintero, the General Director of Cinemagic, a low-cost movie theater company dedicated to generating economic development in rural communities.