Mexico - Organizations

The Mexican government supervises and promotes producer and consumer cooperatives, which are exempt from profits and dividends taxes, and are given customs protection. Producer cooperatives are active in agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining. Consumer cooperatives buy, sell, and distribute clothing, foodstuffs, and household articles.

Chambers of commerce and of industry are located in most cities, and merchants and manufacturers are required to join either or both. Headquarters for the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce and the Confederation of Industrial Chambers are in Mexico City. The principal employers' organization is the Employers' Confederation of the Mexican Republic, which dates from 1929.

Cultural and educational organizations include the Academia Mexicana de la Historia, Academia Mexicana de la Lengua, and Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes. The National Academy of Sciences and the National Council for Science and Technology are major supporters of scientific research and education.

National youth organizations include the University Student Council, the Scouts Association of Mexico, the Conference of Political Youth Organizations in Latin America, and YMCA/YWCA. Kiwanis and Lion's Clubs are active in the country.

Kinal Antzetik is an organization focusing on improving the health and welfare of women, particularly those of indigenous groups, and promoting equal rights and social justice. Centro Mujeres is a similar community health organization for women. Other social action groups include the Mexican Society for Women's Rights and the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights. International organizations with chapters in Mexico include the Red Cross, Amnesty International, and Greenpeace.