By Adrianna Borja
In November, I had the privilege of attending the World Design Capital Policy Conference, where I participated in the Building Cross-Border Collaboration session. The discussion was moderated by Andy Carey of the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, with insightful contributions from Ambassador Kerber Palma, Consul General of Mexico, San Diego, and The Honorable Christopher Teal, U.S. Consul General in Tijuana.
Ambassador Palma began the session by outlining the distinction between soft diplomacy and hard diplomacy. In the 1980s, Joseph Nye Jr developed the idea of Soft Diplomacy, which refers to the use of cultural, educational, and economic exchanges to influence foreign policy, while hard diplomacy involves the use of military or economic pressure to achieve national objectives (Council on Foreign Relations, 2023). Both forms of diplomacy play a vital role in shaping U.S.-Mexico relations, and the work of both Ambassador Palma and Consul General Teal involves a strategic balance of these approaches to foster stronger bilateral ties
Teal opened the conversation with a thought-provoking question to the audience: “What comes to mind when you think of the border?” The responses were diverse—“friendship,” “wall,” “security,” “families,” “trade,” and “boundaries.” Yet, as Teal pointed out, the reality is that the U.S. and Mexico are “joined at the hip,” with a deeply interconnected history and shared challenges.
The discussion then turned to the trade agreements that have shaped this relationship, beginning with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was signed in 1994 and set the foundation for economic integration between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico (Yale Program on Financial Stability, 2023). This agreement opened the door for capital and labor mobility, transforming the region into one of the most dynamic trade corridors in the world. As Teal noted, the California-Baja region alone sees approximately $1.5 million in commerce crossing the border every minute—a testament to the strength of this binational partnership.
However, the conversation also addressed the challenges that come with such a robust relationship. Issues such as the long wait times at border crossings, unregulated urban growth leading to environmental concerns, and the shared responsibility for security—particularly with regard to the movement of illicit goods like guns and drugs—were all emphasized. As Teal explained, hard power issues, such as national security, increasingly rely on the innovative work of subnational diplomacy—local and regional actors who are best equipped to address issues that cross national boundaries (Foreign Policy, 2024).
One area where subnational diplomacy is particularly impactful is in creating a true binational workforce. Teal emphasized the need for binational education to support the region’s growing economy. When examining international exchange programs, it became evident that the U.S. receives far fewer students from Mexico than it should, and similarly, there is a small percentage of American students studying in Mexico. Ambassador Palma added that one significant barrier is the language gap, which creates challenges for students on both sides of the border. She stressed the importance of fostering more bilingual educational opportunities to bridge this divide, as well as advocating for language courses to be taught more frequently.
This focus on cultural exchange through education aligns with the work we are doing at the San Diego Diplomacy Council (SDDC). Our binational efforts focus on the value of citizen diplomacy—strengthening ties between communities through cultural understanding and shared experiences (Global Ties U.S., 2024). One of our key initiatives, the SDDC Binational Youth Summit, brings together one hundred high school students from San Diego, California, and one hundred from Tijuana, México to discuss critical issues such as sustainability, innovation, and subnational diplomacy. These students not only have the opportunity to meet with high-level officials, but they also learn about organizations in their own communities that are part of the cross-border effort to promote long-term engagement. This coming year, our SDDC Binational Youth Summit 2025 will be held at CETYS University in Tijuana, further cementing our commitment to fostering binational collaboration through education.
Another important facet of subnational diplomacy discussed was sports diplomacy, which has proven to be an invaluable tool for engaging youth across borders. Teal highlighted how sports offer a unique platform for teaching leadership, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication. This is an area that resonates deeply with me, as I have seen firsthand the power of sports diplomacy during my recent leadership of a Sports Diplomacy exchange in Romania. You can read more about that experience here.
The session concluded with a shared understanding of the importance of subnational diplomacy in strengthening the U.S.-Mexico relationship. As Teal aptly put it, by working together at the local and regional levels, we can overcome the challenges that both nations face and create an economic, cultural, and social future that benefits everyone.
I am honored to have had the opportunity to reconnect with Ambassador Kerber Palma and Consul General Christopher Teal and to continue collaborating with them on initiatives that promote subnational diplomacy. This experience underscored the importance of the work we do at the San Diego Diplomacy Council, and I look forward to continuing to foster meaningful cross-border engagement that strengthens the bond between the U.S. and Mexico.
By Adrianna Borja
Program Manager
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