MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (KPRENSA) – Rock music has always been used to connect young people to political causes. This is as true in Mexico as it is in the United States. With presidential election in Mexico approaching, a group of Mexican rock bands and social activists have created an organization “Tu Rock es Votar” (TREV), whose goal is to promote voting and political engagement by young people in Mexico.

TREV was born in August of 2005 when a group of friends were discussing why Mexico didn’t have any organizations that tried to engage young people in the political process. They decided to form a Mexican Civil Association, the equivalent of a US non-profit. Using the US based “Rock the Vote” as a model, TREV was founded to be completely apolitical and only seek to promote social and political participation by Mexican youth.

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With the upcoming presidential election on the horizon, the groups’ activities ramped up very quickly. “We decided to organize a series of rock concerts” commented Armando David Ortigosa, president of TREV “in connection with those events, we also decided to have a series of university based teaching conferences to help spur debate among young people.”

TREV also is also organizing a public relations campaign using TV, radio, and print media. Many Mexican pop star have agreed to appear in the campaign including singers Julieta Venegas, Ely Guerra Alejandra Guzmán, Moderatto, Pantheon Rococó, Natalia LaFourcade, Phobia, Meme (of Café Tacvba), Plastilina Mosh, and Lu and actors José María Yazpik, Juan Manuel Bernal, Patrician Llaca, Cecilia Suarez and Raúl Méndez.

TREV hopes the campaign will serve as a catalyst so that a new generation of Mexicans will enter into the world of the civic participation. With the tagline “Si no votas, callete” (If you don’t vote, be quiet), the campaign presents voting as an act of social responsibility, not just a political act.

TREV has already been a catalyst to other efforts aimed at young voters. Inspired by TREV’s work, MTV Latin America, agreed to work with a the consortium of Mexican non-profit groups that goes under the umbrella title “We Are 30 Million” referencing the number of Mexican citizens between 18 and 34 years of age that are eligible to vote.

According to the figures of IFE, the Mexican national election commission, that is 45% of the total electorate. MTV Latin America will produce the series of programs called “We Are 30 million: Talks with Candidates” in association with TREV and others member of the consortium.

The programs will give young people the opportunity to question each of the presidential candidates on the subjects that concern young Mexicans like education, employment, security and health. The programs of each individual candidate will be presented in alphabetical order in the weeks leading up to election day on July 2nd. The interviews will be seen on MTV, and be available through the Internet.

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