The Middle East is a subcontinent with no clear boundaries. Is the geographic origin of three of the world’s major religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam and the home to numerous ethnic groups including Arabs, Turks and Jews. Middle Eastern economies range from nations being very poor (such as Gaza and Yemen) to extremely wealthy nations (such as UAE and Saudi Arabia).
Arabs are spread over 20 or more countries in the world and their loyalty is basically to arabness, to their common roots and to their ancestors. The principal factors in this society is the Islam, arabness and the Arabic language, are famous for their generosity, hospitality, attention for a guest, their preoccupation and sometimes obsession with personal honor and dignity
Which is the role of the media in the conflict between the Arab world and the West?
'promote dialogue rather than conflict between civilizations'
"Spectacle or no, the terrorism of Al-Qaeda should have been understood as a communication strategy and the response to Al-Qaeda's act on 9/11, by the United States should have been primarily, a communication strategy -- a strategy of communication, not of war.
"...relationship between Arabs and the West in the form of a challenge for the future, saying, "The new challenge is not that of information, but of communication which can be summarized in the concept of coexistence with individuals or groups different from oneself.
Media can play a positive role in the dialogue between Arabs and the West
Ahmad Al-Khaled. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Washington: Mar 31, 2008.
miércoles, 29 de octubre de 2008
miércoles, 22 de octubre de 2008
NORTH AMERICA
Northern America is used to refer to the northern countries and territories of North America: Canada, the United States, Greenland, Bermuda, and St. Pierre and Miquelon
The prevalent languages in North America are English, Spanish and French. Socially and culturally, North America presents a well-defined entity. Canada and the United States have a similar culture and similar traditions as a result of both countries being former British colonies. A common cultural and economic market has developed between the two nations because of the strong economic and historical ties.
The salad bowl concept suggests that the integration of the many different cultures of United States residents combine like a salad, as opposed to the more prolific notion of a cultural melting pot. In Canada this concept is more commonly known as the cultural mosaic. The melting pot on the other hand is an analogy for the way in which homogeneous societies develop, in which the ingredients in the pot (people of different cultures, races and religions) are combined so as to develop a multi-ethnic society. The term, which originates from the United States, is often used to describe societies experiencing large scale immigration from many different countries.
Even though in Canada there is a cultural protectionism, in general cultural diversity is well accepted.
For us, as latin americans, this region is a total different world, in terms of culture, economic development and even language, but we must understand that we are all together a single continent that should work toward some same objectives helping those with less resources and possibilities to achieve finally a sustainable regional development.
¿How did the financial crisis start?
"August 2007, when the gathering collapse of the U.S. housing market first made itself felt in financial markets in general. The Fed responded both by making sure banks had the cash they needed and by pumping up the overall money supply. These measures worked, in that they kept the economy going, albeit fitfully. But they didn't fix the underlying problem.
When the problem occurs on a mass scale, though, the case-by-case approach doesn't work so well. The Fed, Treasury, and FDIC have rescued some ailing financial institutions and let others die--Lehman Brothers being the most famous. European countries facing similar issues have also failed to stick to any clear rulebook. As a result, the providers of the credit that financial institutions need to keep going have turned ever more skittish. That's why banks are now so loath to lend to each other and increasingly loath to lend to anybody else"
We Can Beat This
JUSTIN FOX. Fortune. New York: Oct 27, 2008. Vol. 158, Iss. 8; pg. 96
The prevalent languages in North America are English, Spanish and French. Socially and culturally, North America presents a well-defined entity. Canada and the United States have a similar culture and similar traditions as a result of both countries being former British colonies. A common cultural and economic market has developed between the two nations because of the strong economic and historical ties.
The salad bowl concept suggests that the integration of the many different cultures of United States residents combine like a salad, as opposed to the more prolific notion of a cultural melting pot. In Canada this concept is more commonly known as the cultural mosaic. The melting pot on the other hand is an analogy for the way in which homogeneous societies develop, in which the ingredients in the pot (people of different cultures, races and religions) are combined so as to develop a multi-ethnic society. The term, which originates from the United States, is often used to describe societies experiencing large scale immigration from many different countries.
Even though in Canada there is a cultural protectionism, in general cultural diversity is well accepted.
For us, as latin americans, this region is a total different world, in terms of culture, economic development and even language, but we must understand that we are all together a single continent that should work toward some same objectives helping those with less resources and possibilities to achieve finally a sustainable regional development.
¿How did the financial crisis start?
"August 2007, when the gathering collapse of the U.S. housing market first made itself felt in financial markets in general. The Fed responded both by making sure banks had the cash they needed and by pumping up the overall money supply. These measures worked, in that they kept the economy going, albeit fitfully. But they didn't fix the underlying problem.
When the problem occurs on a mass scale, though, the case-by-case approach doesn't work so well. The Fed, Treasury, and FDIC have rescued some ailing financial institutions and let others die--Lehman Brothers being the most famous. European countries facing similar issues have also failed to stick to any clear rulebook. As a result, the providers of the credit that financial institutions need to keep going have turned ever more skittish. That's why banks are now so loath to lend to each other and increasingly loath to lend to anybody else"
We Can Beat This
JUSTIN FOX. Fortune. New York: Oct 27, 2008. Vol. 158, Iss. 8; pg. 96
jueves, 16 de octubre de 2008
AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA
First people that arrive to Oceania came from Southeast Asia. The term covers a region between Asia and America with Australian island as the larger continental island. It is the smallest continent in the world and one of the least populated. The first language is English followed by French. Protestantism is the number one religion followed by Catholicism. Population is very diverse.
- Marshall Islands: Friendly and peaceful nature. Strong concept of family. Products from other countries have great influence and they mix them with their own culture.
- Micronesia: Their culture is a mixture of different traditions and customs. Continuous the caste system which is the most important factor of equity.
- Tonga: Their culture and traditions where constantly reconstructed and changed due to the continuous encounters with other cultures. They live their daily life around church.
- New Zealand: The ethnicity of New Zealand is European. They are friendly and like to take care of tourists. Very reserved at first but still polite.
- Australia: Is the fifth largest economy in Asia Pacific and one of the strongest in the world. FDI is strongly encouraged.
¿Which are the main problems of Tonga`s economy?
"Tonga faces significant economic constraints, namely limited natural resources, geographic isolation, and heavy dependence on foreign aid and remittances from nationals living abroad. It is also vulnerable to external developments and natural disasters, such as cyclones. The export sector in the 1990s was dominated by a single crop, squash pumpkins, developed for one market, Japan, but this has declined in recent years. Tourism and fishing are growing in importance, although both require increased investment in infrastructure."
Tonga: Economic background
EIU ViewsWire. New York: Aug 27, 2008.
- Marshall Islands: Friendly and peaceful nature. Strong concept of family. Products from other countries have great influence and they mix them with their own culture.
- Micronesia: Their culture is a mixture of different traditions and customs. Continuous the caste system which is the most important factor of equity.
- Tonga: Their culture and traditions where constantly reconstructed and changed due to the continuous encounters with other cultures. They live their daily life around church.
- New Zealand: The ethnicity of New Zealand is European. They are friendly and like to take care of tourists. Very reserved at first but still polite.
- Australia: Is the fifth largest economy in Asia Pacific and one of the strongest in the world. FDI is strongly encouraged.
¿Which are the main problems of Tonga`s economy?
"Tonga faces significant economic constraints, namely limited natural resources, geographic isolation, and heavy dependence on foreign aid and remittances from nationals living abroad. It is also vulnerable to external developments and natural disasters, such as cyclones. The export sector in the 1990s was dominated by a single crop, squash pumpkins, developed for one market, Japan, but this has declined in recent years. Tourism and fishing are growing in importance, although both require increased investment in infrastructure."
Tonga: Economic background
EIU ViewsWire. New York: Aug 27, 2008.
miércoles, 8 de octubre de 2008
LATIN AMERICA
The population of Latin America is a composite of ancestries, ethnic groups and races, making the region one of the most diverse in the world.
Spanish is the predominant language in the majority of Latin American countries but there is also spoken Portuguese, French among others.
In the lecture made by the classmates I found avery interesting contrast among two countris, Chile and Guyana.
Chile is a large and narrow strip situated in southwest South America, bounded on the north by Peru, on the east by Bolivia and Argentina, and on the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. In the mid-1970s, Chile pioneered the adoption of market-oriented structural reforms. For almost two decades Chile was the best performing economy in the region and its economic and financial policy reforms served as an example for other Latin American nations. For most of its independent life Chile has had constitutional and democratic governments. In the period 1973–1990 the country experienced a military regime led by General Augusto Pinochet. Since 1990 democratic rule has been restored. A large majority of Chileans (73 percent) are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Some 15 percent of the population identifies itself with several Protestant groups. This includes Anglicans and Lutherans, but the vast majority of Chilean Protestants (90 percent) belong to the Pentecostal Church.
Guyana is the size of Idaho and is situated on the northern coast of South America, east of Venezuela, west of Suriname, and north of Brazil. The Dutch, English, and French established colonies in what is now known as Guyana, but by the early 17th century the majority of the settlements were Dutch. English is the official language but they also speak Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi and Urdu.
Guyana is very unknown by many latinamericans and it is interesting to make some comparission among it and Chile, the most unknown and the most develop country in the region.
¿Which is the economic future for Guyana?
"Following Guyana's real estimated GDP growth of 5.3% in 2007, the Economist Intelligence Unit expects economic activity to moderate in 2008 and 2009, but to remain strong compared with growth rates recorded during the stagnation of 2000-05. A more settled political climate is encouraging private-sector investment within and outside the main commodity sectors, while public-sector investment in infrastructure, in particular in the sugar industry, continues. The upgraded Skeldon sugar facility will provide a boost to growth from 2008. Further ahead, economic growth could be strengthened by investment in a major hydro-electric power project and a potential oil windfall (if ongoing exploration activities are successful). "
"...greater efficiency and substantial planned investments will ensure a future for Guyana's sugar industry, but employment in the industry will decline"
Guyana economy: Growth to moderate
EIU ViewsWire. New York: Jul 2, 2008.
Spanish is the predominant language in the majority of Latin American countries but there is also spoken Portuguese, French among others.
In the lecture made by the classmates I found avery interesting contrast among two countris, Chile and Guyana.
Chile is a large and narrow strip situated in southwest South America, bounded on the north by Peru, on the east by Bolivia and Argentina, and on the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. In the mid-1970s, Chile pioneered the adoption of market-oriented structural reforms. For almost two decades Chile was the best performing economy in the region and its economic and financial policy reforms served as an example for other Latin American nations. For most of its independent life Chile has had constitutional and democratic governments. In the period 1973–1990 the country experienced a military regime led by General Augusto Pinochet. Since 1990 democratic rule has been restored. A large majority of Chileans (73 percent) are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Some 15 percent of the population identifies itself with several Protestant groups. This includes Anglicans and Lutherans, but the vast majority of Chilean Protestants (90 percent) belong to the Pentecostal Church.
Guyana is the size of Idaho and is situated on the northern coast of South America, east of Venezuela, west of Suriname, and north of Brazil. The Dutch, English, and French established colonies in what is now known as Guyana, but by the early 17th century the majority of the settlements were Dutch. English is the official language but they also speak Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi and Urdu.
Guyana is very unknown by many latinamericans and it is interesting to make some comparission among it and Chile, the most unknown and the most develop country in the region.
¿Which is the economic future for Guyana?
"Following Guyana's real estimated GDP growth of 5.3% in 2007, the Economist Intelligence Unit expects economic activity to moderate in 2008 and 2009, but to remain strong compared with growth rates recorded during the stagnation of 2000-05. A more settled political climate is encouraging private-sector investment within and outside the main commodity sectors, while public-sector investment in infrastructure, in particular in the sugar industry, continues. The upgraded Skeldon sugar facility will provide a boost to growth from 2008. Further ahead, economic growth could be strengthened by investment in a major hydro-electric power project and a potential oil windfall (if ongoing exploration activities are successful). "
"...greater efficiency and substantial planned investments will ensure a future for Guyana's sugar industry, but employment in the industry will decline"
Guyana economy: Growth to moderate
EIU ViewsWire. New York: Jul 2, 2008.
EUROPE
Europe is the world's second smallest continent by surface area, covering about 2% of the Earth's surface. Russia is the largest by both area and population, while the Vatican is the smallest.
As a continent, the economy of Europe is currently the largest on Earth. As with other continents, Europe has a large variation of wealth among its countries. Some economical agreements: European Free Trade Association (EFTA), European Economic Area (EEA), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and the European Union (EU).
The last one is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries. The results so far has been frontier-free travel and trade, the euro (the single European currency), safer food and a greener environment, better living standards in poorer regions, joint action on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls and air travel and millions of opportunities to study abroad.
European languages mostly fall within three Indo-European language groups: Romance languages, Germanic languages and Slavic languages. Multilingualism and the protection of regional and minority languages are recognized political goals in Europe today.
The majority religion in Europe is Christianity and then Islam concentrated mainly in the south west. It is a relatively secular continent and has the largest number and proportion of irreligious, agnostic and atheistic people in the Western world, with a particularly high number of self-described non-religious people in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Sweden and France.
The largest ethnic groups of Europe are the Russians , followed by the Germans, French, Italians, English, Spanish, Poles and the Ukrainians.
All these information is to illustrate the diversity of the countries in Europe, languages, religion, economy development, ethnic gorups among others, but they are all integrated to achieve some specific objetives, respecting always the differences and working togheter, that is maybe the reason why they have achieved the development degree and it most be consider as an example to follow.
¿How Russia has affected or still affect Europe`s stability?
"As Europe wrestles over how to deal with a game-changing Russia, the largest country in the world, it faces one of the oldest tactics in Moscow's diplomatic playbook: the art of divide and separate"
"Moscow's diplomatic "salami tactics," as they have been called, are expected to continue this fall, as EU officials decide how to support Georgia with a proposed EU observer mission - and whether or not Russia is complying with the terms of a cease-fire it signed with French President Nicolas Sarkozy"
"Moscow targeted Germany, which relies on Russia for 40 percent of its gas imports and about 35 percent of its oil. Also, divisions between a Moscow-leaning lobby and a more transatlantic position are expected to heighten in the run-up to German elections next year."
"One problem for Moscow, say diplomats, is that its separation strategy depends heavily on an international consensus that its border-changing actions in Georgia are themselves reasonable.
Yet so far, other states have not agreed. China, the world's other rising superpower, last week broke with its traditional support of Moscow on the question at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan."
Russia exploits division in Europe
Robert Marquand. The Christian Science Monitor. Boston, Mass.: Sep 3, 2008. pg. 6
As a continent, the economy of Europe is currently the largest on Earth. As with other continents, Europe has a large variation of wealth among its countries. Some economical agreements: European Free Trade Association (EFTA), European Economic Area (EEA), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and the European Union (EU).
The last one is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries. The results so far has been frontier-free travel and trade, the euro (the single European currency), safer food and a greener environment, better living standards in poorer regions, joint action on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls and air travel and millions of opportunities to study abroad.
European languages mostly fall within three Indo-European language groups: Romance languages, Germanic languages and Slavic languages. Multilingualism and the protection of regional and minority languages are recognized political goals in Europe today.
The majority religion in Europe is Christianity and then Islam concentrated mainly in the south west. It is a relatively secular continent and has the largest number and proportion of irreligious, agnostic and atheistic people in the Western world, with a particularly high number of self-described non-religious people in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Sweden and France.
The largest ethnic groups of Europe are the Russians , followed by the Germans, French, Italians, English, Spanish, Poles and the Ukrainians.
All these information is to illustrate the diversity of the countries in Europe, languages, religion, economy development, ethnic gorups among others, but they are all integrated to achieve some specific objetives, respecting always the differences and working togheter, that is maybe the reason why they have achieved the development degree and it most be consider as an example to follow.
¿How Russia has affected or still affect Europe`s stability?
"As Europe wrestles over how to deal with a game-changing Russia, the largest country in the world, it faces one of the oldest tactics in Moscow's diplomatic playbook: the art of divide and separate"
"Moscow's diplomatic "salami tactics," as they have been called, are expected to continue this fall, as EU officials decide how to support Georgia with a proposed EU observer mission - and whether or not Russia is complying with the terms of a cease-fire it signed with French President Nicolas Sarkozy"
"Moscow targeted Germany, which relies on Russia for 40 percent of its gas imports and about 35 percent of its oil. Also, divisions between a Moscow-leaning lobby and a more transatlantic position are expected to heighten in the run-up to German elections next year."
"One problem for Moscow, say diplomats, is that its separation strategy depends heavily on an international consensus that its border-changing actions in Georgia are themselves reasonable.
Yet so far, other states have not agreed. China, the world's other rising superpower, last week broke with its traditional support of Moscow on the question at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan."
Russia exploits division in Europe
Robert Marquand. The Christian Science Monitor. Boston, Mass.: Sep 3, 2008. pg. 6
lunes, 29 de septiembre de 2008
GLOBALISATION
In its literal sense is the process or transformation of local or regional phenomena into global ones. This term was used for the first time in the 1920`s but it wasn`t that use in the practice until the 1940`s.
There are 3 debates on globalisation:
- Globalist: Social relations, increase of global interconnection
- Internationalist: Significant role for nation states, skepticism about globalisation (myth and exaggerated)
- Transformationalist: Nation states remain militarily, economically and politically powerful. Indirect exercise of power through complex set of interactions
As international negotiators we always analyze the positive aspects of globalisation, and it is important to know that it has a negative counterpart that is equally important to study as the opportunities that might emerge from this inevitable phenomena.
Negative aspect of corporate-led globalisation: Cultural imperialism, concentration of political and economic power, diminution of national identities and sovereignties, growing inequalities, concentration of ownership and organized crime networks among others.
Which are the main characteristics of the emerging powers in globalisation?
"They can be countries or regions, social scapes and flows, economic networks or global cities. They emerge after several decades of global flexible capitalism and the rise of regional networks and city-states. In order to meet contemporary challenges, emerging powers need the experience of coherence of older homogeneities as well as the complexities of extended, differentiated societies and social structures."
Emerging powers as fact and metaphor: Some European ideas
Hermann Schwengel. Futures. Kidlington: Oct 2008. Vol. 40, Iss. 8; pg. 767
There are 3 debates on globalisation:
- Globalist: Social relations, increase of global interconnection
- Internationalist: Significant role for nation states, skepticism about globalisation (myth and exaggerated)
- Transformationalist: Nation states remain militarily, economically and politically powerful. Indirect exercise of power through complex set of interactions
As international negotiators we always analyze the positive aspects of globalisation, and it is important to know that it has a negative counterpart that is equally important to study as the opportunities that might emerge from this inevitable phenomena.
Negative aspect of corporate-led globalisation: Cultural imperialism, concentration of political and economic power, diminution of national identities and sovereignties, growing inequalities, concentration of ownership and organized crime networks among others.
Which are the main characteristics of the emerging powers in globalisation?
"They can be countries or regions, social scapes and flows, economic networks or global cities. They emerge after several decades of global flexible capitalism and the rise of regional networks and city-states. In order to meet contemporary challenges, emerging powers need the experience of coherence of older homogeneities as well as the complexities of extended, differentiated societies and social structures."
Emerging powers as fact and metaphor: Some European ideas
Hermann Schwengel. Futures. Kidlington: Oct 2008. Vol. 40, Iss. 8; pg. 767
martes, 23 de septiembre de 2008
EAST ASIA
East Asia is a sub region of Asia where several languages are spoken, among them, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian and Vietnamese.
Japan is very important for this region, is a country of over three thousand islands extending along the pacific coast of Asia and the form of government is parliamentarian democracy under the rule of a constitutional monarchand. Is the second largest economy in the world and is one of the leading nations in the fields of scientific research, particularly technology, machinery and biomedical research. Its environmental history and current policies reflect a tenuous balance between economic development and environmental protection. The Japanese language has always played a significant role in Japanese culture. The language is spoken mainly in Japan but also in some Japanese emigrant communities around the world.
Doing business in Japan as in any other country has many specifications that are important not only to know and understand but also to respect. Harmony is a key value in their society, is the guiding philosophy for their population in family and business settings. They are very conscious of age and status, and the use of time is absolutely rigid.
How are the relations between Colombia and Japan?
"Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo Perdomo on Saturday said the South American country was interested in forming an economic partnership agreement with Japan."
"Araujo is visiting Tokyo at the official invitation of the government from Thursday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of a friendship and commercial treaty between the two countries."
"I would like to take the centennial as an opportunity to boost ties between Japan and Colombia in all aspects, such as diplomacy, cultural exchange and the economy," Araujo
BRIEF: Colombia minister urges FTA with Japan
Setsuko Kamiya. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Washington: Jul 13, 2008.
Japan is very important for this region, is a country of over three thousand islands extending along the pacific coast of Asia and the form of government is parliamentarian democracy under the rule of a constitutional monarchand. Is the second largest economy in the world and is one of the leading nations in the fields of scientific research, particularly technology, machinery and biomedical research. Its environmental history and current policies reflect a tenuous balance between economic development and environmental protection. The Japanese language has always played a significant role in Japanese culture. The language is spoken mainly in Japan but also in some Japanese emigrant communities around the world.
Doing business in Japan as in any other country has many specifications that are important not only to know and understand but also to respect. Harmony is a key value in their society, is the guiding philosophy for their population in family and business settings. They are very conscious of age and status, and the use of time is absolutely rigid.
How are the relations between Colombia and Japan?
"Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo Perdomo on Saturday said the South American country was interested in forming an economic partnership agreement with Japan."
"Araujo is visiting Tokyo at the official invitation of the government from Thursday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of a friendship and commercial treaty between the two countries."
"I would like to take the centennial as an opportunity to boost ties between Japan and Colombia in all aspects, such as diplomacy, cultural exchange and the economy," Araujo
BRIEF: Colombia minister urges FTA with Japan
Setsuko Kamiya. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Washington: Jul 13, 2008.
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