Mexico City, March 14, 2023.— As part of the celebration of International UP Day, organized by International Affairs, the Universidad Panamericana welcomed Zvi Tal, Israel’s ambassador to Mexico, to its campus. In an interview, the ambassador spoke about the similarities between Israeli and Mexican culture, as well as the ways in which his country seeks to make an impact on ours.
Lasting bonds
This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Israel and Mexico, which, according to Zvi Tal, began on July 1, 1952, and have been characterized by ties of cultural, commercial, and, of course, political cooperation.
However, the ambassador emphasizes that, in his view, the most important relationship is the one between “people, between civil societies—a relationship that is more enduring.”
“These days we use the word ‘sustainable’ because, obviously, there are changes in national leadership, and there are sometimes complex situations and competing interests that can lead to tensions and conflicts; that’s why the connection between citizens and civil society is so important to me, ”he explains.
He adds that it is important to maintain close ties with academic institutions such as our Panamericana University:“In its many facets—education, research, and the students’ commitment to becoming responsible citizens who contribute to their country’s development,”he explains.
Meeting places
The ambassador notes that what struck him most about Mexico when he first arrived in our country was how indigenous languages and traces of the Maya have been preserved . “It’s something that touches our hearts, ” he says.
“As Jews, we also strive in Israel—a country of immigrants—to preserve the cultural heritage of 70 different ethnic communities, because Jews come from nearly 70 different countries. (…) This multiculturalism enriches the reality of every country, and that is something we have in common, ”he notes.
Make the world a better place
Zvi Tal states that the Jewish community has learned from its ancestors the importance of discipline and of supporting its members. However, he explains that one of the most significant lessons among these is Tikún Olam.
The literal translation of that Hebrew phrase is “to repair the world,” or, as he explains,“to repair the world in order to transform it into a better place for humanity”—an idea that aligns with Panamericana’s mission to help build a better world.
“We are a very small country compared to Mexico, but we do have advantages in the field of technological innovation. Therefore, we want to share our best practices and our experience so that living conditions improve, so that we can all live in a more pleasant environment, and to improve the overall quality of life, ”he says.
Seize opportunities
Finally, the ambassador took the opportunity to share a message with all the students at our university:“Make the most of this time in your lives—it won’t come back, and personally, I miss it.”
“(Being a student) is an environment that offers protection and opportunities that are virtually limitless. It’s the right time to put in the effort, to unwind, and to emerge into the world with a wealth of experience—a toolkit to tackle the challenges facing society and the country, ”he suggests.
He also extends his sincere thanks to teachers, drawing on the gratitude he still feels toward his former university professors in Jerusalem:“for the extremely important role they play, and I hope they can continue to work in an environment of academic freedom with the necessary resources, because it isn’t always easy,” he concludes.
