ABOUT THE SMART BORDER COALITION
The Smart Border Coalition is like no other organization on the U.S.-Mexico Border
OUR VISION
A border managed to bring the people of San Diego County and the Tijuana Metropolitan Area closer together in shared success and prosperity, setting a world standard for border innovation.
OUR MISSION
Making travel and trade easier and more efficient through the ports of entry between San Diego County and the Tijuana Metropolitan Area.
How the Coalition Does Its Work
The Smart Border Coalition was established by some of the best-known leaders in the San Diego-Tijuana border region. It is unique in both countries in its vocation and approach. The coalition strives to be visionary and pragmatic, far-seeing and engaged in the present, and open to dialog with border “citizens” both large and small.
Focusing on Shared Purpose
A multitude of actors work together within each country and across the shared boundary. Their respective missions focus on tourism, flows of goods and people, law enforcement, immigration, infrastructure, environmental protection, and much else. These organizations seek creative and practical solutions to improve border movement, an effort requiring a common sense of purpose, priorities, planning, and funding. Cultural differences add to complexity, offset by an awareness of interdependence and countless personal and professional cross-border experiences, many of them profound and life-shapingCoalescing for Change
The Smart Border Coalition has succeeded as a catalyst for change and a facilitator of combined effort. We work together in flexible, focused partnerships to fill the gaps among Smart Border Coalition stakeholders and outside entities.Values That Make It Work
To make this level of cooperation possible, the coalition upholds an ethos of respect, openness, and accountability toward all partners and the broader community.Talk and Action
The coalition brings forward ideas to reconceptualize the border in the interest of prosperity and security. We identify challenges and provide frameworks for dialog, information sharing, the building of professional relationships, the development of specific initiatives, and the monitoring of implementation. In some cases, the coalition takes on an informal short- or medium-term governance role vis-à-vis governments, quasi-governmental organizations, companies and civil society groups.