"We are Alcoholics Anonymous.
Any Section of A.A. Groups may
join with us.
We are responsible only to a Loving God
as expressed in our Group Conscience."

THE DECLARATION OF MEXICO SPIRITUAL BACKGROUND

The First AA General World Service Meeting held in Mexico, this June the 7th, 1997, adopts the Original Conference Charter—1955 text, offered by Bill W. and unanimously acclaimed in 1955 by the A.A. collective conscience. The General Service Conference then shall be a service body only; never a government for Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcoholics Anonymous has only a spiritual origin. Therefore, we express our conviction that Alcoholics Anonymous should never be subjected to geopolitical considerations, whatsoever.

To those other Sections of the Conference that may sometimes be created, or that already exist, in foreign lands as the need arises out of language or geographical considerations, we express our deepest support and solidarity.

Our World Service should always conform to the Composition outlined in Article of the Conference Charter.

We suggest that the Collective World Conscience speak out their disapproval of the updating made in 1987 to Article Two of the Conference Charter, for this action has nullified the Group Autonomy concept among the different Sections of the Conference, and has, consequently, placed one Conference Section in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others.

For the World Service actions we pledge our allegiance to the Six Warranties, as outlined in Concept Twelve for A.A. World Service.

In all its proceedings, the World Service Conference shall observe the spirit of the A.A. Tradition, taking great care that the Conference never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient funds plus an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle.

None of the World Service Conference members shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others; that all important decisions be reached by discussion vote and whenever possible, by substantial unanimity.

No World Service Conference action shall ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy.

Though the World Service Conference may act for the service of Alcoholics Anonymous, it shall never perform any acts of government; and that, like the Society of Alcoholics Anonymous which it serves, the Conference itself will always remain democratic in thought and action.

The spiritual force of A.A. has proved —as our own painful experience has taught the AA World Fellowship— stronger than any legal power. Accordingly, this First A.A. World Service Meeting solemnly declares that in Alcoholics Anonymous there should not be any litigation, ever.

The A.A. literature should always be dedicated to serve our Fellowship. Contrarily to what has been thought and discussed for a long time, Section Mexico A.A. members and groups have financially supported our local, general and world services. This way, the A.A. literature should not be considered as a source of income.

We deem A.A. literature is a spiritual heritage to the World Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, which may serve to carry the A.A. message. We assume, however, that Alcoholics Anonymous should remain its own Publisher and Editor, so that A.A. literature keeps its spiritual message.

Section Mexico’s General Service Conference Structure, after eleven years of serving its Fellowship, has the deepest conviction that the Conference Plan is a guarantee that our movement-wide services would continue to function under all conditions. God willing, it shall sustain us in unity for so long as He may need us.

This First A.A. World Service Meeting calls the World Group Conscience of Alcoholics Anonymous to go Back to Basics. This return to the A.A. principles is the only way to keep our blessed Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous for ourselves, as well as for those future generations of alcoholics still to come.

Our long journey from the devastating prosecution we were subjected to, to today’s blessings and a promising future are rich experiences, which we would like to share with our A.A. fellows from abroad. We also propose that you make all necessary arrangements so as to celebrate our next A.A. International Meeting in 2001.

Cd. Nezahualcoyotl, State of Mexico, June 8, 1997

International Commitee
AA GSO SECTION MEXICO
Ave. Independencia 101-23, Col. Centro
00600 Mexico City. MEXICO
P.O. Box: M-7875
Or through our Fax:011-52 (5) 510-2562