Secretariat of Education Higher Education and Scientific Research General Direction of Professions “International Negotiations of Professional Services in Mexico” C.P.A. Victor Beltran General Director of Professions

International Negotiations of Professional Services in Mexico Professional services are one of the most dynamic aspects of world trade today. Globalization, promotes a strong demand for professional services and free mobility among countries. Processes of economic development and trave have reinforced the need of professional service providers to become more competitive. Mexico has been promoting a series of actions that aim to enable the country to be better prepared, which nowadays is characterized by an increasing demand in quality, competitiveness and transparency, in which higher education and professional services are included.

Important to make reference to some of the most significant changes that have been taking place in higher education in the professional service around the world. Changes: Accelerated evolution of scientific and technological knowledge since the second half of the 20 th Century. In Mexico, an answer to these changes became eviden in the late sixties. Education had to positively impact on the efficiency, and the well being of society. Result of these actions: growth and diversification of the educational services.

Council for the Accreditation of Higher Education (COPAES)... Nongovernmental organization. Mission: to aid in quality assurance of the higher education academic programs of both public and private universities in Mexico. How is it done? Through recognizing organizations that can accredit the higher education programs that can ensure and prove the appropiateness, quality, and dependability of both he processes and the results.

Self-evaluation, diagnostic evaluation, institutional and specialized accreditation, certification and recertification became common practice in higher education and also a source of relevant debates. The activities that have been taking place to perfect the practice of our professional service providers were reinforced by a series of actions adopted as a result of negotiations that began with the Free Trade Agreements. Mexico participates in International Organizations: World Trade Organization (WTO) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Mexico has signed 10 Free Trade Agreements with 41 countries, among: NAFTA with USA and Canada, January 1, 1994 FTA with Colombia and Venezuela, January 1, 1995 FTA with Bolivia, January 1, 1995 FTA with Costa Rica, January 1, 1995 FTA with Nicaragua, July 1, 1998 FTA with Chile, August 1, 1999 FTA of the North Triangle with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, March 15, 2001 FTA with the European Union, with 25 countries, July 1, 2000 FTA with Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland, July 1, 2001 FTA with Urugay, July 15, 2004 FTA with Japan, September 2004

These agreements include a section of negotiation of professional services. These agreements, establish that he negotiation of professional services is subject to three fundamental principles: Most- Favored- Nation Treatment (MFN) National Treatment Local Presence The mentioned legal international instruments determine a series of “RESERVATIONS”, for each country, and limitations as well.

In the quest and construction of this solution in the processes of certifi- -cation of our professionals the following was considered fundamental: Coordination and participation of the participants. Active participation of the Productive sector. The direct participation of all the State Governments...National coverage. Participation of the Federal entities. Establishment of an Advisory Board of Professional Certification. Processes be: transparent, voluntary, reliable, external, and plural; and that they guarantee quality professional services to society.

Advisory Board for Professional Certification, conformed by: I.A General Coordinator II.A representation of 8 of the 32 states in the country III.A representative of each of the following Secretariats: Economy, Health, Labor, and Education IV.A representative of National Chamber of Commerce and Industry V.A representative from COPAES VI.A Chairman, the General Director of Professions of the Secretariat of Education

VI Guerrero Michoacán Morelos Puebla III Guanajuato Nuevo León San Luis Potosí Tamaulipas I Baja California Baja California Sur Sinaloa Sonora II Coahuila Chihuahua Durango Zacatecas VIII Campeche Quintana Roo Tabasco Yucatán IV Aguascalientes Colima Jalisco Nayarit V Estado de México Hidalgo Querétaro VII Chiapas Oaxaca Tlaxcala Veracruz

WORKING STRUCTURE Advisory Board for Professional Certificación (Executive Advisory Board) State officials Counseling Technical Comission from SEP Professional Associations, HEI, and associations. Distinguished ProfessionalService Providers Specialized Evaluation Organizations Government agencies Appropriateness Supervision Evaluation Control DGP-SEP State Authorities Evaluation Control Supervision CERTIFYING BODIES Certifyed Professionals Recomendations WORK GROUPS BY PROFESSION

Characteristics of the Working Structure Work groups are being organized by professional fields. These work groups will be in charge of creating and presenting a proposal to the Advisory Board, of the criteria and requirements for organizations that will certify professional service providers in each field.

Restrictions of the Working Model No Federal of State government will be able to work as a certifying institutions. The period of time granted to the Certifying bodies to act as such is limited, and their work is evaluated and supervised by the Federal Government and the Governments in each State. The certification granted will be limited in time. All of the professional certification processes must have an external body, expert in evaluation. All of the professional certification processes must comply with specific minimum requirements of quality. Professional Certification will be recognized Nationally.

For professinal practice to take place in high moral and legal manner, it is of outermost importance to observe the following principles: 1. To acknowledge that actions that we implement should be based in participation and co responsability of all the parties involved in the area of professional practice. 2.That these tasks are conducted with awareness and above all fully convinced that we would have to continuously pursue a better world for future generations. National System of Certification provides a great opportunity to restate our commitment with society.

Ideas: Our societies are becoming more complex, informed, and participative. Our professional service providers are intersted in raising the quality of their services. Adequate regulations can only be created with the responsible participation of all the sectors related. The main goal fo having a System for Professional Certification should only be that of having quality professional services.

Finally... Mexican Society has continuously requested the social actors involved in the certification of professional service providers, that the goal is for it to take place with updated knowledge, skills and abilities. It is very important to participate in these processes, that are not only necessary of the present generations, but also for generations to come. It is undeniable that the answers we will provide to these demands will be equally framed in the valued code of ethics and the profession itself.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!