Ex-Mexican President Calderón at Judson touts business deregulation
More than 400 people greeted former Mexican President Felipe Calderón with a standing ovation Thursday as the first Latin American former head of state to grace Judson University's World Leaders Forum stage.
"It is a great day," Judson University President Gene Crume said in his introduction of Calderón.
Calderón, who served as Mexico's 56th president from 2006 to 2012, said he faced multiple challenges during his presidency, including a global economic crisis, the emerging H1N1 swine flu virus, a severe drought in several states, and the growing violence of drug cartels.
"Mexico is completely correlated with the American economy," he said, adding that when America's demand for labor declined, it dramatically hit the Mexican economy, dropping 10 percent in the first and second quarter of 2009. "Federal government revenues also fell."
He spoke about his administration's economic reforms that helped stem the tide of Mexican immigrants to the United States.
"We opened the economy and allowed the companies to work in a competitive way in Mexico," he said. "I erased 16,000 regulations (governing businesses) in 2010, almost half of the total regulations in federal government. We made energy reform. For the first time in 50 years we allowed private sector to participate."
This was unheard of in the Mexican oil and gas sector, which at the time was hit by the depletion of the nation's most important oil field losing 200,000 barrels a day, he said.
Members of an Elgin nonprofit were excited to meet Calderón for the first time after one of his administration's initiatives helped build a community well in their hometown of Matanzas during a severe drought.
"He is very personable and a very forward-thinking leader," said Martha Martinez, who along with her brother started Club Matanzas Jalisco. "We all witnessed the impact he has had on Mexican society. Today, we had the opportunity to get that inside view from his perspective."
Calderón said his government also built 1,100 new high schools and 140 colleges that are tuition-free. "Yes, some of them are very modest, but they open incredible opportunities for kids in Mexico," he said.
That resonated with students in the audience.
"That provides a stable country. That's what really amazed me," said Alejandra Fabian, 19, of Elgin, a Mexican-American and Judson sophomore studying sociology.
Calderón said that in light of the challenges, his administration did something unpopular.
"We increased the fiscal deficit," he said. "Fiscal deficit is a one-shot weapon. We expanded the social programs providing direct cash transfers for the poorest families. We made a lot of progress to protect jobs in Mexico."
He said his government convinced companies not to lay off workers but rather reduce their salaries by paying only one-third of the workers' wages. The government agreed to pick up one-third of workers' salaries for up to six months, he said.
"We were able to save half a million jobs in the export industry in Mexico," Calderón said.
Eventually, to close Mexico's deficit and increase revenues, Calderón's administration proposed increasing taxes and reducing subsidies for gasoline and fossil fuels.
"I needed to pay a very high cost in political currency reducing the deficit, but it was the right thing to do," he said.
Mexico embraced free markets under Calderón's leadership, making trade agreements with 44 countries.
"We bet on trade," Calderón said. "I believe in freedom. I believe in the initiative of the people. I believe in free markets. Mexican products are reaching 1 billion consumers in the world."
Calderón, who chaired the G-20 conference in 2012, was named "Statesman of the Year" by the World Economic Forum, and "Champion of the Earth" by the United Nations. Time magazine dubbed him one of the top 100 influential people in the world.
In its first four years, the World Leaders Forum has brought former President George W. Bush, former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Elgin. Funds raised through the event go toward scholarships for current Judson students and an endowment to start an entrepreneurial studies program at Judson.
Judson students on Calderón
Judson University students attended Thursday's fifth annual World Leaders Forum at Herrick Chapel where former Mexican President Felipe Calderón delivered a speech on economic accomplishments during his administration.
"It was a really great experience to see President Calderon."
- Walter Lopez, 22, a senior
"I thought it was really good to get the 'other' perspective, because we're always getting a one-sided perspective of what's going on between the United States and Mexico."
- Kristina Crane, 21, a junior
"I think it was awesome how he pushed through the obstacles that he faced."
- Destiny Alicea, 19, a freshman
"I would have liked to hear more about his perspective on organized crime because I know that's a major problem in Mexico, especially. ... I'm surprised that he didn't list that as one of the major problems that world leaders deal with."
- Heather Kennedy, 21, a junior