Annc: Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld, LLP focusing on business law and commercial litigation is proud to support Rob on the Road Region Rising.

More information available at murphyaustin.com Annc: And now Rob on the Road exploring Northern California.

Rob: I am so thrilled to welcome to Rob at Home Consul General Liliana Ferrer.

It's good to see you.

Thank you so much for joining us Consul General.

Liliana: Thank you, Rob, for inviting me.

It's a pleasure.

Thank you.

Rob: It'’s a pleasure to have you here.

We met years ago on the stage at the Mondavi Center in the middle of an interview, and I remember how captivated people were to listen to you because you have such an interesting lens, not just on America and on Mexico, but the world.

Uh, your work has taken you from Paris to Washington to Harvard, Mexico City, and now you have a massive position in California.

Tell us about your role as the Consul General and with the Consulate General's Office.

Liliana: Of course.

Thank you, Rob.

Uh, it's uh, I think, uh, in my 30-year spanning career, as a... as a Career Foreign Service Officer for the Mexican Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Uh, being the Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento is, uh, very much the highest honor and the greatest privilege I can have.

Why?

Uh, because, uh, we are neighbors, we are siblings, uh, we are family.

Uh, we are strategic partners, uh, in many ways, uh, culturally, historically trade wise, Mexico is your first trading partner.

But, uh, but also because we have such a large diaspora in, uh, California, uh, as you know, we are the largest minority, uh, mi-- majority in the United States, 37 million Hispanics, most of the Mexican, a third of them make California their home.

And, uh, we are also the country that has the largest network of consulates of any country in the world, in one host country, 50, five-zero in the us, 10 of them alone in California.

Rob: Wow.

Liliana: And I'’m Northernmost consulate.

And, uh, I have 1 million nationals.

So, there is much work that is being done every day at these offices, not only helping safeguard and protect the rights of Mexicans, but also working very closely with California authorities and civil society in strengthening this very important and strategic relationship that we have.

Rob: So, let me ask you this.

I mean, you talk about how much work-- you were at work until one o'clock this morning from... from your previous day's work for... for an emergency situation that you had to deal with.

So, I mean, you are really hands-on.

You know, what exactly are you doing day to day?

Is it-- it must be all over the map from intervening in situations to advocating, to... to... to pushing for legislation that helps the nationals.

Tell me about that.

Liliana: That is, that is correct, Rob.

Uh, the most, uh, important, uh, objective or, uh... uh, work that, uh, consulates do all over the world, regardless of the country that you're representing is to protect the rights and interests of your nationals, wherever you're serving.

And obviously also to protect the rights and the interests of the country that you represent.

But as you mentioned, Rob, we engage in a variety of issues at Mexican consulates.

We also in particularly this one, because we are in the political capital of the state, we engage in political relationships with the governor's office, with the legislature, uh, judicial branch in so many issues that you just mentioned and more.

Uh, we engage with academia in promoting MOU so that we can have more collaboration with academic exchanges and student exchanges.

We engage in empowering the Mexican community here, not only a first-generation, but second and third generation focusing in such things as a education, which we believe is the most important empowerment tool for future generations.

And we all have as our own responsibility to engage and to contribute and making sure that they don't become second-class citizens and count on education.

And just generally, uh, to mention also, we obviously have a very important department that oversees even what we call Health Windows, Financial Advice Windows, and a Mental Health Window where, for example, with the pandemic with COVID-19 we have had this pandemic unfortunately affect, uh, in... in very serious ways the mental health of so many people, uh, particularly youth and, uh, we have therapists on hand that provide free services to our community, free lawyers that provide legal advice to our community as well.

And that is just to mention a few of the items that we engage in.

Rob: You know, I...

I have to tell you for 10 years, I reported for America's Heartland, which is a PBS National program about agriculture, food, fuel, and fiber.

We produced it out of Sacramento, out of PBS KVIE.

And I worked side by side with nationals who were here, seasonal workers, many who had been coming to their certain locations for 20, 30 years.

It was as if they were family members, um, with the, uh, people who own the farms or ranches.

You talk about some of the kindest, hardest working people, but kind and... and... and driven by family.

And I just...

I just have to say that, um, I've worked side by side with... with so many people from Mexico.

And I just have to tell you that... that... that experience was amazing for me.

Liliana: Thank you for mentioning that Rob, uh, that was very beautifully said and so true.

Um, that anyone that has experienced a relationship with the Mexican nationals, hardworking and honest, that you highlighted, will, uh, will, uh, be witnessed the same... same experience, fortunately.

And I...and I think going back to the first question that you asked me, you know, what is so special about your job?

I think, uh, that is why I, again, reiterate that the biggest honor and privilege of my career most likely will be serving Mexico and Mexicans here in Sacramento because, uh, you get to help these wonderful people.

So, uh, yes.

Uh, this is... this is a beautiful community that have, uh, engaged in... in a very, very close relationship and a loving relationship, uh, with, uh, with other community members, regardless of demographic or ethnicity groups.

Uh, it's a beautiful thing to see.

Rob: Education is something incredibly important to you.

You yourself have multiple degrees, um, from the UC system.

Uh, you have UC Davis, you have San Diego, um, as well as Georgetown and you are a fellow at Harvard.

I mean, you've covered the gamut and I want to talk to you about, um, education, but prior to that, DACA, and that's Deferral Action for Childhood Arrivals is... is what the acronym stands for.

Where do you see things standing right now with, with DACA?

Liliana: The Biden-Harris administration, as we all know, has now decided that, uh, they will allow, uh, for the continuance of DACA registrations and renewals.

Uh, this is a wonderful community, uh, when we say DACA we're now speaking about a community of children that arrived at a very young age, but then today the teachers at community colleges.

They're the nurses that are helping you and caring for you in hospitals.

They are professionals, engineers, and PhD'’s that have graduated from your universities.

Uh, they are active, uh, and, uh, and very valuable members of your community.

Rob: They're friends.

They'’re friends.

Liliana: Yes.

And so, uh, the fact that this is recognized and that, uh, they are being protected the way that, uh, president Biden and Vice President Harris have announced is obviously, uh, a wonderful... a wonderful news.

And, uh, speaking of education, um, one of the main projects, if not the most important project of this consulate is that now for 10 years in a row, we have focused on organizing with a very important number of strategic partners, particularly in academia, universities, community colleges, and universities both public and private in California, to organize every year the first Saturday of February, a university fair that welcomes over 50 colleges and universities to our consulate, to the consulate premises.

Over 2,000 students, mostly juniors and seniors at the high school level and community college students and together with California Student Aid Commission that as we know, has $2 billion to provide in scholarships and grants.

Uh, we host the largest bi-lingual and bi-national university fair in Northern California, because we also have Mexican universities that participate.

Obviously during the pandemic and February of 2021, we held the university fair virtually with over 70 colleges and universities and over 35,000 views.

Um...

Rob: Wow, you got to grow!

Liliana: Yes, we are... we are so fortunate and now we expanded it to the participation of all 10 consulates in California so we could cover the Southern California area where there's such a large population.

And provide very crucial key information as to how can I help you and take you by the hand with counselors and with experts, uh, chatting live with this incredible technology that we have nowadays.

And take students by the hand in this very complex, uh, way of navigating nowadays the application process to four-year colleges and universities.

And how, if the limitation- in particularly in vulnerable communities- we know that many of them, in Latinx communities, don't go on to study, uh, and... and complete their four-year degree because of lack of financial means.

They have to work to support their family.

Rob: So, speak to them directly right now.

Then what do you want to tell... tell them?

Liliana: What I want to tell them is that you're not alone.

You... you can come to the consulate, seek out the information as to how to navigate the process, complete a four-year degree, financial resource is not a limitation.

The California Student Aid Commission is here to help you and you need to apply for these very important resources and help that is available to everyone regardless of your immigration status.

Rob: Because the money is there.

The opportunities are there, please grab this link and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing, uh, what the consul general is telling us about education, um, and for applying for education and grants.

And... and that's fantastic, for scholarships.

I love hearing that.

You have a very interesting, um, path, if you will, relate it also to your fathers.

Tell me about that.

Did your father have this same position?

Liliana: Yes, he did.

Uh, my father was, uh, also a Career Foreign Service Officer for the Mexican government.

So was my grandfather.

Rob: Wow.

Liliana: My mother's dad.

And, uh, and I was privileged to learn at a very young age how, uh, how wonderful it was to... to represent your country around the world.

Uh, to engage in different relationships to learn about different cultures, uh, to meet, uh, very, very, uh, interesting, uh, individuals that also represented, uh, their countries in other foreign services.

But also-— Rob: Tell me a story from your childhood.

Do you remember, like, from your childhood can you-— what are some that stick with you that said, "“Aha, I...

I want to do that.

"” Liliana: Well, let me... let me tell you that my... my grandfather was mostly, uh, posted in this hemisphere.

He was posted in Canada, in Venezuela, Panama, Jamaica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica.

My father was posted in, uh, countries, Jamaica, Bolivia, but- Cuba- but, uh, countries such as Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, West Africa, what was then known as Yugoslavia, for example.

Rob: Wow.

Liliana: And my childhood was spent in West Africa in Accra, Ghana and, um, and just, uh, the ability to immerse yourself and to know that we're all brothers and sisters, regardless of what location of the planet you're from.

And that, again, going back to your comment on the... the beauty and the importance of learning about each other, uh, when you learn and you dive a little bit into the culture of others you will see, uh, what a beautiful experience it is.

So... so I feel very close to countries like Ghana.

I feel very close to countries like Ethiopia, uh, one of the most ancient, uh, civilizations in the world.

Uh, we know that the origins of humankind are in, uh, in Ethiopia.

With Lucy Australopithecus afarensis.

Uh, but also, we know that in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, uh it'- -s you find the seat of the organization of African States.

So multilaterally also negotiations for very important issues to be negotiated internationally, such as the access to the vaccine of COVID-19 for developing and vulnerable countries in the African continent, in Asia, in Latin America, uh, is engaged in the multi-lateral, uh, sphere.

And, uh, and there's some, uh, very important actions and, uh, and, uh, events taking place in places like Addis Ababa, for those of you that are interested in... in multilateral relations.

Rob: You know, I...

I...

I now get it because, I don't know if you know this, but you have this- when... when I've seen you at the station at PBS KVIE or I've seen you in public at events, or what have you, you have this energy that is so enlightened, and it is so peaceful and it is it's... it has this lens on life that is so reassuring.

And I think it, in my opinion, it's because of everywhere you'’ve been you bring that with you, and you know the beauty that this world can be if we all just loved each other in the way that you were able to do growing up.

It's as if you have this golden nugget inside of you from everywhere that you've lived and experienced.

And I just wish that for everybody.

Liliana: Well, that's... that's very... that's very kind, uh, Rob, very kind words.

Thank you.

I think...

I think that the bottom line is also that the more you... the more you travel and the more you, uh, you engage in, uh, learning and trying to understand other countries and other peoples, you also are able to see not only the beauty in... in... in them as you have stated, but you also are able to see the challenges that are faced in other countries, including Mexico and the United States, of course, we each have our own, uh, challenges.

Uh, and by challenges, I, mean...

I mean, countries like Ethiopia, tremendous poverty and misery, you know, and disease, uh, but also the beauty and the richness of the culture.

Um, in Mexico also we have, uh, some, uh, some serious challenges, again, as I said, as we do here.

So, when you... when you, um, when you are confronted by these challenges, I think you are driven to, um, do your best at contributing and trying to help resolve, um, these, uh, very challenging issues in our planet.

And uh...

Rob: Cause you'’ve seen what hard work does, I mean, you... you-- the reason I think that it is... it is so productive, what you do, is because you've seen that you truly can.

Each one can reach one, you can make a difference.

Liliana: Exactly.

And I think that that is the beauty of... of public service and, um, and the Foreign Service is public service.

Uh, being able to contribute today, for example, uh, during, uh, COVID-19, 2020-21 to helping the community.

I'm very proud to say that for the last six months, the Mexican consulate has been offering COVID -19 tests to the public at large, not only Mexican nationals, uh, for free, no questions asked no appointment necessary.

Rob: That'’s huge.

Liliana: Um, but... but as of March 8th, 2021, we're also very proud to say that the Mexican consulate opened a vaccine site, another vaccine site in the Sacramento area for vulnerable communities.

And we soon we'll be engaging in vaccine sites, pop-up clinics, uh, throughout, uh, the agricultural, uh... uh, Valley to aid essential workers as well.

Rob: I love hearing that.

I love hearing that.

Liliana: So, those are... those are just examples of... of, uh, things that you can do.

And, uh, now that we're, uh, in March 2021, celebrating as of March 8th International Women's Day, I can't resist, but also share one of the most important quotes, uh, one of the last quotes that, uh, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg shared with us that there's, uh, you know, I think a responsibility each and every one of us, in, uh, engaging and doing our best to do something beyond, you know, the responsibilities that we have every day in our work or our home.

We should all try to do something more, uh, and go beyond a sense of duty to our community, to helping others in any way that we can.

Rob: No matter what situation you're in, in life, service will take you out of it, but in the best of ways.

It will take you forward.

And that takes me back to what you said about the, um, educational fairs that you were having.

Um, because you said you hold someone by the hand, and you lead them through.

And I think of service the same way.

You can... you can hold someone's hand and help them through whatever they're going through in their lives.

And I love that you do that on such a large scale.

Um, do you-— Liliana: It's very complicated, Rob.

Rob: I know it'’s hard.

Liliana: It's quite a... it's quite a complex-— I mean, it's not like when I want to school and to college almost 40 years ago.

Uh, now there's much competition for these kids, you know, there's so many options, um, and, uh, and insane competition.

For example, the UC system, which is one of the best academic institutions in the world, obviously it, uh, it takes, uh, it takes a lot to... to be accepted.

So, I really, uh, you know, I...

I really take my hat off and kudos to all these kids and many of them, Latinos, uh, we all know that, uh, many UCs now are Hispanic serving institutions which requires, uh... uh, close to 25% of students being Latinos.

Records were broken in 2020 and 21 with the highest percentages of Latinos registering for the UC system.

And it makes economic sense as well for the state, uh... uh, and for the consulate to help promote this, uh, because why?

40% of the population of California, uh, is Latino.

So, the future of California, to a great extent, and the... the future success, that is the key word, economic success of this state to a great extent, depends on having a Latino community that is skilled, that is trained, that is educated.

And obviously that has the enthusiasm, the dedication, and the will to be successful, uh, and to engage and contribute to California's economy.

So again, it takes a team we're all here to help, uh, the youth.

And, uh, make sure, you know, and this is to the youth, Latinos and Latinas that we're here to help, and that information is available.

Many, many institutions are here to help you, and there are resources available for you to help you finish your four-year degree.

And we hope we can all hug very soon again, after we all get vaccinated.

Uh, but yes-— Rob: You talked about earlier when we were chatting, you talked about, um, because you mentioned International Women's Day.

And you also mentioned some... some news, some things that were happening right now, um, in regards to, I believe the word you used was feminists.

Liliana: We, Mexico, is taking a leadership role, uh, with various countries, uh, in Europe, uh... uh, particularly, uh, in... in... in Latin America as well.

And we want to engage with California, no doubt, um, in a Feminist Foreign Policy, uh, what does that mean?

Engage internationally in putting forth that women's rights are human rights.

Uh, that, uh, we have to engage in equal pay, uh, in gender parity.

And let me just give you an example.

We were speaking about my grandfather.

When my grandfather joined the Foreign Service, there were a couple of women that were his colleagues.

When my father joined the Foreign Service, maybe they were 20 women.

Uh, when I joined the Foreign Service, we comprised 30% of the newly, uh, or the incoming class of Foreign Service Officers.

And nowadays a couple of years ago, we reached gender parity.

Now women-— Rob: And you got the top job!

Liliana: Yes!

Gender parity, 50% of women entering the Foreign Service.

Rob: That'’s fantastic!

Liliana: So fantastic.

But there's much to be done.

Much to be done particularly much to be done around the world to help young women and girls, uh, you know, become empowered, become educated.

And, uh, it takes a village as they say, uh, for all of us to engage together with men, uh, as a team, uh, he for she, and, uh, and she for he, uh, so that, uh, we can become a better community, a richer community, a more just and equitable, uh, community.

And I'm happy to announce that in 2021, California and Mexico, uh, are signing a memorandum of understanding with new commission on women's issues, uh, in Governor Newsom's office with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs precisely on looking into all these very important subjects of gender parity, equal pay, labor rights, and particularly after COVID-19 where women have been especially and negatively impacted have lost their jobs.

And we want to make sure that they have all that support network and the help that they need to pick themselves up and move forward.

Rob: I do want to tell you, thank you so much for your time, your generous words.

And your children have a wonderful mother, and we have a wonderful leader in you, and I appreciate your service just from one human to another.

Thank you for what you do for humanity.

Liliana: It's been a privilege.

It's been a privilege to participate in your program.

Thank you for... for allowing me to share a little bit about my life, which is a little bit about Mexico and a little bit of what Mexicans are.

Rob: You're also an ambassador.

And I just want to say that because I love the word.

It's such a great word, an ambassador for good.

Thank you for joining us from the consulate in Sacramento.

It's great to see you as always here on Rob at Home.

Thank you so much.

Liliana: It's been a pleasure.

Thank you, Rob.

Rob: You're welcome.

♪♪ Annc: Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld, LLP focusing on business law and commercial litigation is proud to support Rob on the Road Region Rising.

More information available at murphyaustin.com