How a Mexican policymaker is empowering her community through meaningful participation
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Celia Ramírez Aréchiga is a mother, activist, medical doctor, and Director of Social Pedagogy in the municipal government of Guadalajara. She is also a People Powered member who champions the voices and rights of her community. This is her inspiring story of how she cultivated participatory democracy and policymaking from the ground up.
By Celia Ramírez Aréchiga
My journey into participatory democracy began in an unexpected and deeply moving way. In 2013, feminicide was finally recognized as a crime in Mexico. Around that time, I attended a meeting of a feminist collective that was organizing a community-led effort to transform a neglected public space into a memorial garden—a “Memori-Arbol” filled with trees honoring the lives of women lost to gender-based violence. Their vision included a participatory and reflective inauguration event, as well as ongoing community involvement in maintaining the space.
The site itself was abandoned, filled with trash and discarded furniture. We had no budget. But what we did have was a shared commitment and a desire to build something collectively. I started by contacting local authorities, park managers, and cultural institutions. I became a bridge between citizens, government, and artists — learning to listen, convene, advocate, and co-create. That experience revealed to me the transformational power of community engagement, and it changed the course of my life.
[Images below are from the Memori-Arbol event]
I had studied medicine, but through this work, I realized I was most passionate about addressing the root causes of suffering. These cultural, political, and social conditions shape our health and our lives, so I did a Master’s in Social Medical Sciences. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to ensuring that participatory processes are centered on the process, not the goal, results, or KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).
From Grassroots to Government
Over the years, I’ve taken on roles that allowed me to deepen my understanding of participatory methodologies. I coordinated public space events during the “Toma la Ciudad” exposition, joined an NGO called The Other Faces of the City, and supported government agencies in co-designing community projects for over 5 years. I learned that real participation isn’t about perfect plans or prepackaged consultations—it’s about creating space for meaningful dialogue, collective decision-making, and shared ownership.
After this, I collaborated on a fantastic project, still thriving, called “Colmenas,” inspired by the “Library Parks” in Medellín. I served as the Director of Networking for Community Building at the Ministry of Citizen Participation and Planning of the State of Jalisco from 2018 to 2024, during the entire administration. During this time, I gained insight into public innovation processes and the importance of networking with Human-Centered and Systemic Design. Due to this, I was nominated to be part of the League of Intrapreneurs, a concept I had no idea existed before, and I have loved it ever since.
[Images below are from the presentation of results of the working group on mental health issues for a regional government participatory budgeting process within a very powerful and far away indigenous community called "Santa Catarina de Cuexcomatitlán" in the state of Jalisco]
Today, I serve as the Director of Social Pedagogy in the municipal government of Guadalajara — the first department of its kind in Mexico, as far as I know. This role is incredibly exciting, as it allows us to experiment with new ways of making public service more participatory, democratic, inclusive, caring, and transformative.
We’re piloting projects that go beyond traditional workshops. We're fostering "power skills" like nonviolent communication, emotional literacy, hospitality, and environmental stewardship through experiential learning. For example, our Limpia Guadalajara program mobilizes neighbors, public servants, and local leaders to co-create cleaner, safer public spaces — not through surveillance or punishment, but through care and collaboration.
We’re also supporting 200 citizens who’ve signed up to be part of the program, “Guardians of Guadalajara”. These individuals are the ears, eyes, and hearts of their communities. Through regular gatherings and a civic app, they help us understand what people are experiencing in real time. We believe in citizen-generated data and the power of collective reflection to shape more innovative and just policies.
The Challenges of Participatory Democracy in Government
One of the biggest challenges we face is culture. Although participatory language is common in speeches and plans, genuine collaboration is rare — especially when decision-makers haven’t personally experienced the value of being truly heard. Too often, processes are designed to validate pre-decided outcomes rather than foster co-creation.
We also confront a structural paradox: bureaucratic systems intended to safeguard democracy often make it harder to practice. Administrative timelines rarely align with the organic rhythms of community life. The paperwork, procedures, and approval chains can stall even the most well-intentioned initiatives.
And let’s not forget the internal work. As my father used to say, “The hardest part of any job is working with people.” That includes all sectors as well as colleagues and collaborators within government. I always like to remember that we are all people, and public servers do not come from another planet, we are citizens too! The challenge starts with improving the “how” we communicate with each other, to others and about what we do. We need to reimagine power — not as something imposed over others, but as something cultivated with, from, and for them. In a world marked by polarization, trauma, and fear, we must prioritize emotional well-being and collective healing if we want truly deliberative, inclusive democracies to thrive.
[Images below are from a workshop Celia ran on the importance of citizen participation and the institutional mechanisms she has in her city and state]
Why People Powered Matters
Being part of the People Powered community has been both grounding and inspiring. In moments of frustration or doubt, learning about participatory innovations around the world reminds me that we are not alone. It reaffirms my conviction that global solidarity and knowledge-sharing are key to sustainable change.
The community doesn’t just highlight success stories — it also learns from the lessons gained through challenges and failures. Through People Powered, I’ve discovered tools like legislative theater and citizen assemblies for climate action, which I’ve already begun integrating into our local strategies.
Looking Ahead
In the years to come, I aim to foster a culture where civic participation is not only welcomed but also celebrated. I want more young people to see that their energy and creativity can shape their cities, and more elders to know that their wisdom has a place in our civic life. I want children to grow up understanding that power can be used not over others, but with them.
Programs like Limpia Guadalajara offer a glimpse into what’s possible when we invite people to care for their environment and for one another, not out of obligation, but from a sense of shared purpose. We’re working to design more spaces for intergenerational learning and civic activation.
I believe People Powered can continue to play a vital role in helping us achieve these goals—by connecting us with allies, sharing methodologies, and reminding us that democracy is always a work in progress, and one worth investing in.
If you are moved by Celia’s story and want to join her and over 100 people and organizations, apply to become a People Powered member!