While the headlines continued to warn Americans about the dangers of travel to Mexico, 300 undergraduate and graduate students gathered at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to discuss the vested interest in the economic and political progress of their neighbor to the south.

San Antonio, Texas, only 150 miles from the U.S./Mexico border, was an important location for the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) to hold its conference focused on “The Emerging Role of Hispanic Future Leaders in U.S./Mexico Relations.” The CHLI Future Leaders Conference was conceived as an opportunity to bring together student leaders and young professionals of diverse backgrounds to learn more about the increasingly important role the U.S. Hispanic community is playing in American society.

Although the conference theme was not new to the community, the combination of expert facilitators including the former President of Mexico Vicente Fox, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Mexican diplomats, professors from the University of San Antonio, and 13 other speakers made for a vibrant, relevant and powerful day of learning and calls to action at a time when both citizens of Mexico and the United States need it the most.

Like any good solution-based discussion, the conference included speakers from Mexico who hold current or former positions in government. Hearing from Mexican officials, including the current Mexican Consul General in San Antonio, Chief Operating Officer from the North American Development Bank, Mexican Foreign Ministry Deputy Director for the United States and the former President of Mexico Vicente Fox. These speakers gave participants a unique insight into Mexico’s position on bilateral relations and economic development. Whether the discussion was centered around promoting economic development or the effects of bilateral public policy on education, environment, security and immigration, the Mexican perspective was consistent. They are aware and concerned about their country’s economic situation which breeds organized crime, drug cartel wars and illegal immigration to the United States. However, they have also extensively studied the issues and the most effective solutions. All admit that the implementation of those solutions have been slow to gather momentum and that significant outcomes may not be apparent to the United States. Despite this, they all agree that at the root of all the problems spilling across the border is economic development and trade.

These advocates also believe it is important to that we impart our American values of democracy and adherence to the rule of law to Mexico. Doing so will help create economic prosperity, and will, at the very least, elevate the standard of living for Mexican citizens. America needs to be a role model to Mexico. But more than that, it actually needs to extend a hand and provide training and technical assistance at the private, individual, academic and political levels.

Economic development professionals also believe that great opportunities exist for Americans to create innovative products with the freedom of trading with individuals in Mexico and vice versa. The exchange of products and trade as a significant economic solution to the problems of Mexico led to what became the recurring sub-theme of the CHLI Future Leaders Conference. Leaders from both countries agree that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), now in its 15th year, is the vehicle for promoting economic opportunities with greater competition and larger markets which can transform the economy of all three participants, America, Canada and Mexico.

Specifically, all agreed that NAFTA works as a formula for increasing freedoms of individuals in Mexico by reducing government interference in their opportunity to rise to any level of prosperity through hard work and free trade. Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox admitted that overcoming 70 years of political leadership not focused on democratic standards has slowed down the outcomes of NAFTA. However, over the last 15 years, NAFTA helped build the manufacturing infrastructure in Mexico; created a multi-billion dollar import and export business with the United States; and has begun to close the income gap between socio-economic groups. Giving NAFTA time to work is important to the future of bilateral relations. Renegotiating the agreement or spending less time on building the capacity of a market economy, freedom and democracy in Mexico will not advance the U.S. Economy.

Based on the day’s events, discussions and reflections, students and young professionals in attendance were given a consistent call to action: Get involved; learn all you can about economic issues in Mexico (not just the social and cultural aspects); support NAFTA as a tool of change; reach out to Mexico with all your knowledge and expertise; promote and protect the free market economy you enjoy in the United States; and consider a career in the foreign service to further export the values of freedom, democracy and economic development. Let’s hope this call does not fall on deaf ears. The future of Mexico depends on it.