Yucatan Governor and Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Open International Peace Conference

Mérida, Mexico — Yucatan Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena and Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú inaugurated the International Peace Conference on Tuesday at the Siglo XXI Convention Center. The event, themed “Building Peace and Justice in Community,” will run through Friday with dozens of keynote speeches aimed at promoting peace and encouraging fair participation in society.

The opening ceremony also featured University of Yucatan (UADY) Rector Carlos Alberto Estrada Pinto, Mérida Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada, state and university officials, civil society representatives, and high school and university students.

UADY Rector Estrada Pinto said hosting the conference marks a milestone for the university, confirming its educational quality and strong relationships with all levels of government. He emphasized that peace extends beyond the absence of violence to include justice, inclusion, human rights, and community participation.

“In a global context marked by polarization, inequality, and rigid thinking, true peace is only possible when built through empathy, dialogue, and collective commitment,” Estrada Pinto said. He noted the university has increasingly committed to building a culture of peace through teaching, research, and community programs that strengthen social fabric and promote equity.

Governor Díaz Mena stated that Yucatan has chosen to live in a peaceful environment where social justice gradually reaches the most vulnerable sectors. “That’s why it’s very important for us in this land of dialogue, respect, and coexistence that the University of Yucatan hosts this space for reflection and action,” he said.

The governor highlighted that state government promotes transformation with a human face where security, education, culture, and justice advance in coordination. He added that Yucatan’s living Maya culture, language, traditions, and community organization demonstrate that peace also builds from identity and mutual respect.

“A community advances when institutions function, when government fulfills its duties, and when citizens participate,” Díaz Mena said. He expressed hope the conference would generate lasting learning and alliances, with discussions translating into concrete actions and collaborative networks.

Mérida Mayor Patrón Laviada noted that hosting global leaders who work for peace reflects the city’s collective commitment to peace, though she acknowledged it requires daily cultivation and reinforcement to maintain.