...immersion as a local. Social awareness, familiarity of speech, understanding of issues that matter in the region vs. issues important outside of the region are second nature to me. I was born and raised in Colombia, and finished high school in Panama. The political environment of Colombia and Panama shaped my cultural awareness and political understanding of these two countries’ overall climate as well as neighboring countries in the region. My understanding of Latin America is complemented by 23 years in the United States, including 21 years of service as a Marine. The Marine Corps has a culture all its own, which I understand well through 7 years of enlisted and 14 years of commissioned service. My first-hand exposure and experience in foreign countries have left a continuing personal interest in following social and political events in Panama, Colombia, and Latin America as a whole. I follow significant events pertinent to the region. Many have impacted the economy and security of the United States as well. The transition of operations and management of the Panama Canal to Panama in December 1999, and current efforts by President Santos against the FARC are among them. The transition of the Panama Canal and its surrounding territories marked a historical event for Panama and the U.S. Panama’s political position strengthened in relation to its Latin American neighbors by assuming responsibility of managing this critical and strategic asset. Operation of the canal...
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...immersion as a local. Social awareness, familiarity of speech, understanding of issues that matter in the region vs. issues important outside of the region are second nature to me. I was born and raised in Colombia, and finished high school in Panama. The political environment of Colombia and Panama shaped my cultural awareness and political understanding of these two countries’ overall climate as well as neighboring countries in the region. My understanding of Latin America is complemented by 23 years in the United States, including 21 years of service as a Marine. The Marine Corps has a culture all its own, which I understand well through 7 years of enlisted and 14 years of commissioned service. My first-hand exposure and experience in foreign countries have left a continuing personal interest in following social and political events in Panama, Colombia, and Latin America as a whole. I follow significant events pertinent to the region. Many have impacted the economy and security of the United States as well. The transition of operations and management of the Panama Canal to Panama in December 1999, and current efforts by President Santos against the FARC are among them. The transition of the Panama Canal and its surrounding territories marked a historical event for Panama and the U.S. Panama’s political position strengthened in relation to its Latin American neighbors by assuming responsibility of managing this critical and strategic asset. Operation of the canal...
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...competitive price companies within the travel agencies. After seeing our companies wrong, we believe that we are prepared to expand into South America this upcoming year. With that being said and much research, our company can only expand into one country. Travel Express has consider expanding into Colombia and Panama. We believe that these two countries have a lot to offer our clients, and also countries where not that many traveling agencies have expanded. The three major factors that we researched in order to come with this conclusion are their economy and government, climate and seasons, tourism. BENEFITS AND RISKS OF EXPANSION IN COLOMBIA OR PANAMA Economy and Government Colombia’s Economy and Government Colombia is currently a democratic country, with a central government and separate powers. Just like in the United States, Colombia has Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches (“About Colombia,” 2014). Their current currency is Colombian’s pesos; one American dollar equals a bit over two Colombian pesos. With the Colombia peso being so weak compare to the American dollar; tourist are able to get more for their money. For example, they can vacation longer in Colombia, visit more tourist areas, buy higher quality...
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...In the past, Ecuador and Colombia used to be part of the same nation but once Ecuador obtained their independency the border problems continue, even to this day. One of the main reasons is the fact that Ecuador’s weather allows for the coca leaf to grow in abundance. Today, there are many reasons why people want to cross the border to Ecuador. Some are just escaping the civil war or the drug war in Colombia, others are trying to capitalize of the natural resources and join the drug lords of the region. Another issue is that many people that are migrating to the United States are getting stuck or being sent back to Ecuador. Many getting stuck in Colombia or Panama and they are sending them back to their original point of entry. Panama has officially...
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...Australia. Achieved a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in History, Politics and International Relations), and First Class Honours (90%) from Notre Dame University, Fremantle, WA. Awarded a Parliamentary Internship to study at the University of Dublin and worked as a Political Intern in Parliament House, Dublin, Ireland. Studied abroad at the University of Saint-Louis in Madrid, Spain and International House in Bogota, Colombia. Travelled extensively through Europe, Central and South America, Mexico, India and Asia and have taught English internationally. Also undertook voluntary community aid work in Oombulgurri, East Kimberley and Varanasi, India. Throughout my tertiary studies, worked part-time and full-time as a Supervisor and Administration Officer at the Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe. CAREER OBJECTIVE To secure a job as an English Teacher in Vietnam with a dynamic, reputable school and work in a challenging role that offers opportunities for knowledge acquisition, advancement, leadership and collaborative teamwork. TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS Current Masters of Applied Linguistics. Monash University, Melbourne. Aug 2011 CELTA. (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), International House, Bogota. Completed a four week course focused on teaching approaches and methodology, lesson planning, language awareness and phonology. The teaching practise component including teaching elementary and intermediate students. 2010 First Class Honours. Thesis:...
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...Current Event: Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea On October 12, 2011, Congress passed the free trade agreements between the United States, Colombia, Panama, and South Korea after waiting almost five years after the Bush administration first introduced the idea, but failed in Congress by the Democrats. According to President Obama, this is a victory and it will be a win-win situation for all the counties involved. A developed country like the United States turn to free trade agreements with emerging countries to help build their economy and hopefully reduce the chances of another recession. According to South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, he agrees this agreement is a “win-win” for all the countries because this “will create more jobs, generate more trade and stimulate our economies.” The largest benefit the South Korean accord and the United States has will be the United States exporting automobiles and car parts to South Korea is expected to increase up to 54%. Colombian President Juan Manuel is looking forward to this agreement, but Tarsicio Mora, the President of Colombia’s labor federation has some concerns. Mora is opposed to the agreement because Colombia’s economy is not developed enough to handle trade with the United States and their country is not in a stable condition to compete. From these agreements come many benefits such as: an economic boost, U.S. exports expected to increase by more than 13 billion per year, add 300,000 jobs...
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...OUTLINE Introduction A. What effects can produce oil prices increase? a. Brief history and evolution in oil markets b. Causes of the increment in oil prices B. Colombia on the two sides of oil prices rise effects c. Brief description of effects d. Brief history of petroleum industry Body I. International context a. Global situation of oil prices b. Volatility and Dutch disease II. Colombia Case c. analysis of effects in the macroeconomic view: inflation and currency appreciation Conclusion A. Which are the solutions to control the harmful effects of oil prices increase B. What strategies are implementing in Colombia to deal with the effects of oil prices increase. Thesis statement Since the 1970s the world hadn`t experienced an oil increase like the one that is happening these days where many countries are concerned about the effects that this phenomenon can bring to their economies. As an oil exporting country, Colombia has to deal with a lot of challenge in order to transform all the revenues from petroleum into benefits to their society. However there are some effects that can bring some instability to this small economy, especially the one that international markets create a speculative bubble which can end in the Dutch disease. ‘The Dutch disease is a major market failure originating in the existence of cheap and abundant natural or human resources that keep the currency of a country overvalued...
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...Latin America has been influenced by a variety of different culture groups. Africans and their descendants have affected Latin American in many diverse ways and still affect many cultural practices today. One of the major events the Africans were apart of in Latin America was the slave trade. In this project, African’s affects to Latin America through the slave trade will be described, particularly focusing on the region of Colombia and contributions made on the Panama Canal. The history of African descendants in Latin American countries is very complex and controversial. The amount of African people in Latin America is surprisingly very high which resulted in the transatlantic slave trade in these countries. However, not all of these Africans were slaves, and the ones that were experienced a widely diverse set of conditions depending on a variety of factors. Spaniards felt that Indian slaves were inefficient and preferred to buy African slaves whenever possible. These African slaves were much more hard working and reliable than the previous Indian workers. Africans were also favored because of their ability to survive better under harsher conditions compared to the Indians. African labor was essential in all of Colombia. The Latino people used this newly found labor provided by these African slaves in every form and place they possibly could. Beginning in the 16th century, the slave trade took place across Latin American countries and has influenced African descendants drastically...
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...Authentic Assessment Project Fact Scenario for Authentic Assessment Project Global Enterprises, Inc. (GEI) GEI is a long-term military contractor and manufacturer of protective body armor, munitions equipment, and armored vehicles, with annual revenues of $300 billion. GEI employs 140 workers each highly paid union technicians and mechanics, members of the Union of Munitions and Armor Workers (UMAW). GEI manufactures protective body flak jackets, night vision rifle scopes and armored tank vehicles for the US military. Contrary to international law and treaties, it also manufactures land mines-- exporting them to Afghanistan and Iran, its best foreign customers. More than half of its profits derive from these clandestine operations. All of GEI's products have problems. Although paid handsomely for its body armor, munitions equipment and armored vehicles, the materials used in manufacturing are substandard. The flak jackets do not fully protect military service members from most antipersonnel ammunition. The simple addition of superior quality material in the flak jackets would prevent most injuries, but GEI did not tell the military because changing materials would be costly, and GEI fears it would lose its contract. In addition, its night vision rifle scopes work erratically and often not at all, resulting in injuries and deaths of service personnel in combat situations. The armored vehicles, though strong and sturdy on the sides and top have only a thin sheet...
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...This article was downloaded by: [Tsinghua University] On: 19 March 2014, At: 22:22 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK The Journal of Peasant Studies Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/fjps20 Land grabbing in Latin America and the Caribbean Saturnino M. Borras Jr. , Jennifer C. Franco , Sergio Gómez , Cristóbal Kay & Max Spoor Published online: 28 May 2012. To cite this article: Saturnino M. Borras Jr. , Jennifer C. Franco , Sergio Gómez , Cristóbal Kay & Max Spoor (2012) Land grabbing in Latin America and the Caribbean, The Journal of Peasant Studies, 39:3-4, 845-872, DOI: 10.1080/03066150.2012.679931 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2012.679931 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently...
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...Global Business Plan Week 7-Final Draft Subway in Colombia 04/15/2012 Table of Contents Content Page Number Table of Contents 2 Executive Summary 3 Module 1: Identifying Global Opportunities 4 Module 2: Analyzing International Competitors 7 Module 3: Assessing the Economic/Geographic Environment 10 Module 4: Assessing the Sociocultural Environment 13 Module 5: Assessing the Political Legal Environment 15 Module 6: Selecting a Global Company Structure 18 Module 7: Financing Sources for Global Business Operations 22 Module 8: Creating a Global MIS (Management Information System) 25 Module 9: Identifying Human Resources for Global Business Activities 27 Module 10: Managing International Financial and Business Risks 29 Module 11: Product Target Market Planning for Foreign Markets 31 Module 12: Designing a Global Distribution Strategy 32 Module 13: Planning a Global Promotion Strategy 36 Module 14: Selecting an International Pricing Strategy 38 Module 15: Determining Organizational Financial Results 41 Module 16: Measuring International Business Success 42 Conclusion 43 Bibliography EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (Created by John Isles) During the course of this business plan, many of the benefits of opening up a Subway restaurant in Colombia will be illustrated. Among the first items presented will be an analysis of startup costs. After a brief summary of the initial costs required, these...
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...Venezuela is a major transit country for cocaine usually processed in Colombia. Law enforcement agencies estimate that over 100 metric tons of cocaine transit Venezuela annually. There are some indications that the quantity of drugs transiting Venezuela is increasing and that smuggling of Colombian heroin is a growing problem. Narcotics-related corruption remained a problem in legal and financial systems and within security forces. Moreover, the Venezuelan authorities need to do more to combat diversion of chemical precursors and money laundering and to address the problem of over-flights by drug trafficking aircraft. Venezuela continued to be a major drug transit country in 1998. Most large scale drug shipments transiting Venezuela originate in Colombia and are smuggled out of major Venezuelan ports in commercial cargo to the U.S. and Europe. Drugs are transported on commercial aircraft (either by drug mules or hidden in air cargo) and small aircraft through Venezuelan airspace. In addition, boats carrying drug shipments from Colombia pass through Venezuela's territorial waters on their way to Caribbean transshipment points. Venezuela is a transit country for essential chemicals, which are either exported legally to Colombia and other source countries, diverted for use in cocaine labs, or smuggled out of Venezuela for this purpose. For instance, gasoline and cement are exported legally from Venezuela to Colombia and then diverted for use in cocaine processing. In 1998, Venezuela...
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...Institutional, and Cultural Context of Colombia Michael N. Yuede Missouri State University Abstract This paper studies the Colombian culture and how it affects business relations. First, the Colombian country is explored, examining the geographical location and environment, demographics, economy, religion, and the historical, legal and ethical, and social context. Geert Hofstede’s, Fons Trompenaars’, and GLOBE’s models of national culture infer ways to behave in any given culture, and in this case, Colombia. Differences can be seen between the United States’ and Colombia’s culture after exploring the models, suggesting ways to adapt to the new culture and act appropriately in a business environment. After studying the models, the cultural descriptions and aspects, including Colombia’s collectivistic and high power distance nature, give future managers and expatriates the implications necessary to become legitimized in the eyes of other businesses and the government. Additionally, the implications help predict employee behaviors and motivators, as well as human resource management policies that should be implemented into the business. However, in order to fully understand the Colombian culture, an individual must live in that country for a period of time to experience the culture first hand. Environmental, Institutional, and Cultural Context of Colombia In order to better understand how to interact in a business environment in Colombia, it is important to know about the...
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...Fact Scenario for Authentic Assessment Project Global Enterprises, Inc. (GEI) GEI is a long-term military contractor and manufacturer of protective body armor, munitions equipment, and armored vehicles, with annual revenues of $300 billion. GEI employs 140 workers each highly paid union technicians and mechanics, members of the Union of Munitions and Armor Workers (UMAW). GEI manufactures protective body flak jackets, night vision rifle scopes and armored tank vehicles for the US military. Contrary to international law and treaties, it also manufactures land mines exporting them to Afghanistan and Iran, its best foreign customers. More than half of its profits derive from these clandestine operations. All of GEI's products have problems. Although paid handsomely for its body armor, munitions equipment and armored vehicles, the materials used in manufacturing are substandard. The flak jackets do not fully protect military service members from most antipersonnel ammunition. The simple addition of superior quality material in the flak jackets would prevent most injuries, but GEI did not tell the military because changing materials would be costly, and GEI fears it would lose its contract. In addition, its night vision rifle scopes work erratically and often not at all, resulting in injuries and deaths of service personnel in combat situations. The armored vehicles, though strong and sturdy on the sides and top have only a thin sheet of steel on their undersides...
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...members and leaders and their particular ideologies. (Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, 1999, para. 54) I will use Hudson’s assertion as my theoretical framework to analyze if my findings are compatible with a plausible assertion that terrorism is based off social and political views of the people who see their current state as unjust. The National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional or ELN) is a revolutionary guerrilla army; who have fought in the Colombian Civil War since it began in 1964. The ELN advocate a composite Communist ideology of Marxism and Liberation Theology. The ELN was founded by Fabio Vásquez Castaño and other Colombian rebels trained in Communist Cuba; upon the Vásquez Castaño death, the ELN was headed by a series of Roman Catholic priests, exponents of Liberation Theology. (Brittain, 2010) Most notable was the Priest Camilo Torres Restrepo, a university professor, egalitarian and Marxist, who was openly critical of the grossly unequal distribution of income among the social classes of Colombia. More concretely, the ELN's self-appointed role was to represent the rural poor and decrease the foreign presence in Colombia. The ELN's goal was to take power from the Colombian government and replace it with a more...
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