Carolina Gallego's BLOG

FEEDBACK OF THIS SEMESTER'S ORG. & CULTURES CLASS

2010-05-20T20:54:00.001-05:00

I think this class for me was really interesting, since i had the opportunity to learn about the different issues and aspects affecting some countries around the world.

My powerpoint presentation also allowed me to understand better the arab world, which has become increasingly important in the last decade, due to their great economical and technological development.

What i didn't like about this course was maybe the terrible schedule of fridays at 12:00noon. But the rest was fine!

Thank You

THE LATIN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION (LAA)

2010-05-16T11:40:00.000-05:00

"Established in 1972, the LAA is a 501 C3 nonprofit organization that serves more than 50,000 individuals annually. Their goal is to help Latinos achieve self-sufficiency, put down roots, build a better life for themselves and their families, and contribute to strong, thriving communities.

The Latin American Association helps Latino families achieve their aspirations for their academic, social and economic advancement. They accomplish this through direct programs and integrated community partnerships that focus on youth academic achievement, education and prevention, and services to families with urgent needs. The LAA also seeks to further the full integration of all Latino immigrants into American society as workers, family members, students and leaders into a community that welcomes them and values their contributions.

LAA offers a range of programs that guide Latinos with solutions to address their basic needs and provide them with the information and skills necessary to achieve their fullest potential. The aim is to increase family stability, build skills, promote the development of Latino individuals, families and youth, and promote community involvement.

This association was developed and delivered in collaboration with a range of nonprofit and other community partners, the LAA offers programs and services that are focused on four main areas:

* Meeting Urgent Needs: To assist individuals and families facing urgent, crisis or emergency situations with a focus on resolving the crisis within 60 days and helping prevent the crisis from worsening.

* Youth Academic Achievement: To strengthen the lives of young Latinos and improve their performance in school. The association is focused on working at the middle school, elementary and pre-school levels.

* Education and Prevention Programs: To provide Latinos with quality programs that promote education and the development of life-skills. Programs include English as a Second Language classes, computer classes, and parenting classes, among others.

* Case Management in the areas of immigration, domestic violence and parenting services: With a focus in the areas of immigration legal assistance, employment and career development, domestic violence assistance, and parenting programs, the LAA offers individualized service and case management, working one-on-one with individuals and families on a long-term basis to help resolve specific needs".

- The Latin American Association (LAA); retrieved on May 16, 2010 from the The Latin American Association (LAA) webpage : http://www.thelaa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=55&lang=en

The BEST BLOG

2010-05-13T11:46:00.001-05:00

The best blog i've seen is Laura Diaz's blog. It is so complete, and she has also gone further in all of the subjects and topics discussed, which makes her blog so rich in information.
You can notice all of the effort and interest put into it.

THE ARIZONA LAW "SB1070"

2010-05-07T17:38:00.003-05:00

" Not being able to have the legal documents required in the U.S, not carrying in the wallet the green card or even transporting an illegal person in your car (even if it is a family member), turned out to be a crime from April 27/2009, in the Arizona State in the U.S. The governor Jan Brewer promoted this polemic law SB 1070, which 5 days earlier the Assembly aproved with a republican majority, and which will start to rule in 90 days."

Eventhough the president Barack Obama did not agree with such law, he took advantage of the situation to pressure the congress in order to accelerate the "migration reform", which he promised to his votants if he were elected president of the United States to carry on.

This of course has created a lot of controversy, due to the great amount of immigrants resident in the U.S, which approximately are 12'000.000. In the Arizona State currently live 400.000 people without legal papers. This turned on the alarms for all the families settled in this specific territory.

Numerous protests have been made, but is little what the situation has changed. This in consequence promotes even more the discriminatory attitudes against this people, which contribute enormously to the American economy, and which in many situations are undervalued, because of their invasive situation occuring in that country.

I believe that this measure eventhough helps to control the migration in this specific state, is not the right measure to be taken. This people will now live with the fear of being captured at any moment, it will divide even more this families, create poverty due to the rejection of american employeers, and general racism to the latin group of people.

I think the solution is in both governments hands, the Mexican and the American Government. The first one should fight more for an economic reform that allow the mexican people to earn properly, so the need for them to emigrate would be reduced, creating less migration to the U.S.

On the other hand, the American government should take into account all the effort made by this people, and understand that their real intentions are the survival and maintainance of their family, which at the same time contribute to the development of their economy. So this would be a perfect opportunity for them to modify the legal status of this people, and accept them once and for all to be part of that country.

1. Cancino, Jorge.

(2010). "Gobernadora de Arizona firmó ley: Miles sin papeles ahora son delincuentes". Taken from the Univision Webpage: http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=2374002

IS IT USEFUL TO SAY SORRY AFTER YEARS OF WRONG POLICIES TOWARDS A MINORITY? Why, what else is needed ?

2010-05-02T16:50:00.003-05:00

The apology statement made from the government to this indigenous people in 2008 is not enough to relief all of the suffering this people has gone through since 1869 until the 1970's, and probably many few years more, due to the unconciousness of these governors, which rejected these communities and families based on the desire to attain white racial purity. This normativity has only created more social exclusion, which in consequence leads these families to more discrimination, less opportunities, hunger and poverty.

I believe that is also necessary from the government the financial support to these communities, in order to re-group them with the white community, offer them education, housing, food, and other basic human requirements for these people to be as normal as white citizens have had the pleasure to live through all their generations.

I believe it is also necessary the creation of an institution for mental relief for this people, so they can re-enter society with the help of the best proffesionals, trying to help them as much as possible in their adjustment to their new life.

You can also watch the movie, "Australia", which deals with the Stolen Generations as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL1arpIciq4

EUROPEAN TRADE UNIONS

2010-04-28T23:11:00.002-05:00

"The ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation) exists to speak with a single voice, on behalf of the common interests of workers, at European level. Founded in 1973, it now represents 82 trade union organisations in 36 European countries, plus 12 industry-based federations.

The ETUC’s prime objective is to promote the European Social Model and to work for the development of a united Europe of peace and stability where working people and their families can enjoy full human and civil rights and high living standards. The European Social Model embodies a society combining sustainable economic growth with ever-improving living and working standards, including full employment, social protection, equal opportunities, good quality jobs, social inclusion, and an open and democratic policy-making process that involves citizens fully in the decisions that affect them.

The ETUC believes that workers’ consultation, collective bargaining, social dialogue and good working conditions are key to promoting innovation, productivity, competitiveness and growth in Europe" 1.

DO THEY PLAY A SIMILAR ROLE AS IN COLOMBIA?

I personally think that in our country, besides the fact that we count with the existance of many "sindicatos", these aren't taken into account enough as it happens in the European Union (EU).

In the EU, they actively participate in the annual Tripartite Social Summit each spring, to assess progress on the 2000-2010 Lisbon Agenda; they consultate with the other European Social Partners on decisions affecting employment, social affairs and macroeconomic policy; they have a close liaison with a cross-party Intergroup of MEPs in the European Parliament; and participate in many other events, in which their participation is highly valued, while in our country corruption and the interest of the most powerful and influential people (the private sector) is the only opinion that matters; so I would definetely say that eventhough they share the same interest, the reality of their succesful development is other.

- 1: "Our aims", retrieved on April 28th, 2010 from the European Trade Union Confederation website: http://www.etuc.org/r/2

MY FAVORITE BLOG (BEST BLOG'S : The BOB'S)

2010-04-28T22:25:00.003-05:00

The blog I liked the most was the one created by a Spanish couple, who recently became 25 years old of being married. They dreamt just like in the book written by Julio Verne, to travel around the world, meet new places, landscapes and new people.

They also mention that it isn't necessary a big amount of money to travel, but just some few clothes and a lot of motivation and expectations of what you're about to meet and learn.

Their traveling was a 45 day tour to 11 countries (Spain, Argentina (Buenos Aires, La Pampa) - Chile (Santiago, Los Angeles, Isla de Pascua) - French Polynesia (Tahiti Islands and Moorea) - New Zealand (Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua) – Australia (Sidney, Cairns, Darwin) – Indonesia (Isla de Bali) – Singapur - Thailand (Bangkok – China (Hong Kong) – India (Nueva Delhi, Agra) – England (London) – Spain.

They rescued that the most interesting thing for them on this adventure was the possibility of learning, encountering with other cultures, understanding the way of thinking, living, etc; which taught them to be more tolerant and comprehensive with the diferent existing cultures around the world.

I totally agree with them and support the fact of traveling around the world, not caring about their ages, but just thinking in finding the best way to take advantage of the beauties of life, doing as many things as they could possibly do, and of course enjoying their married life, with the best company they could possibly have; the person they love the most.

Admired Webpage: http://www.thebobs.com/index.php?w=1229615328819434QNMEWQZD

THE BANKING SYSTEM IN THE ARAB WORLD

2010-04-21T16:51:00.005-05:00

"Islamic banking has the same purpose as conventional banking except that it operates in accordance with the rules of Shariah, known as Fiqh al-Muamalat (Islamic rules on transactions). The basic principle of Islamic banking is the sharing of profit and loss and the prohibition of riba (usury)." Examples of common banking transactions are:

"In an Islamic mortgage transaction, instead of loaning the buyer money to purchase the item, a bank might buy the item itself from the seller, and re-sell it to the buyer at a profit, while allowing the buyer to pay the bank in installments. The goods or land is registered to the name of the buyer from the start of the transaction. This arrangement is called Murabaha.

Another approach is EIjara wa EIqtina, which is similar to real estate leasing. Islamic banks handle loans for vehicles in a similar way (selling the vehicle at a higher-than-market price to the debtor and then retaining ownership of the vehicle until the loan is paid).

Islamic banks also lend their money to companies by issuing floating rate interest loans. The floating rate of interest is pegged to the company's individual rate of return. Thus the bank's profit on the loan is equal to a certain percentage of the company's profits. Once the principal amount of the loan is repaid, the profit-sharing arrangement is concluded. This practice is called Musharaka.

In conclusion, Islamic banking is restricted to Islamically acceptable transactions, which exclude those involving alcohol, pork, gambling, etc. The aim of this is to engage in only ethical investing, and moral purchasing."

- no author. (2010, April 20) Islamic Banking. Retrieved on April 21, 2010 from the Wikipedia website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_banking

-PICTURE #1: Posted on (2006, May 6) for the article "Islamic Scholar Calls for Review of Global Financial System; Wants U.S. Role Reduced". Retrieved on April 21, 2010, from the Family Security Matters website: http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/imgLib/20080429_islamic_bank.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.3163/pub_detail.asp&usg=__RX5___OIWDZvxXSMa2lQlmi3X-o=&h=388&w=300&sz=125&hl=es&start=3&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=cvPpQGwIhI5yNM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dislam%2Bbank%26um%3D1%26hl%3Des%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1

-PICTURE #2: Posted on (2010, February 7) for the article "La banca islámica conquista Turquía" . Retrieved on April 21, 2010, from the El Mundo.es website http://www.elmundo.es/blogs/elmundo/cronicasdesdeeuropa/2010/02/07/la-banca-islamica-conquista-turquia.html

WHICH BLOG DID I LIKE THE MOST?

2010-03-04T11:16:00.000-05:00

I really liked Silvana Yepes blog, because it was very understandable, had nice pictures that motivated the reading and understanding of the subjects, and had very good opinions about all the topics we have talked about.

SHOULD INDIVIDUALS (directors, employees, shareholders) BEAR ANY RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE ACTIONS OF A CORPORATION? If so, to what degree?

2010-02-10T21:50:00.000-05:00

I believe that a company is runned by people, not by itself,
which means that those people are the one and only

responsible for the faith and acts that these companies develop everyday. These are the ones to blame, for all the harms and damages they have created through their company´s mision, that behind beautiful written words, the real meaning is only expansion, profit, MONEY.

I would reccomend that governments should punish harder these type of companies, that cause so much harm to our environment, children and the whole society in general, that due to their "innovative" procedures, sometimes forget that achieving larger gainings, represent in general the decrease of
the lifestyle of the poorest and weakest.

CORPORATE CULTURE vs. CROSS CULTURAL MGMT

2010-02-06T10:38:00.000-05:00

In CROSS-CULTURAL MANAGEMENT, is in other words the congruence or understanding between people who have different cultural identities in a company.

In this case, "managers cannot expect to force-fit members of another culture into his own cultural norms", they must find the way to work things right without imposing or leaving behind their cultural values, "developing and applying knowledge about cultures in their internal management".

- Mead, Richard. 2004. International Management: Cross Cultural Dimensions. London: Blackwell Publishing. Chapter 1.

For CORPORATE CULTURE, we understand it as "the whole collection of assumptions, practices and norms that people in an organization adopt over time. It often begins with the values of the founder or a small group of founders, who expect people they hire to comply with their way of doing things". It is also the common sense of how companies do their stuff; this can be understood as the methoolgy, procedures or customs in the way they realize their daily basis activities.

- Millman, Gregory J. (2007). "Corporate Culture: more mith than reality?". The Free Library 23: 44-47.

MY CULTURE DEFINITION

2010-02-01T18:54:00.000-05:00

Culture is the way in which people express their origins, this is traduced in their lifestyle, customs and preferences. In each country this varies depending on the education, beliefs and traditions given to the specific country. Culture can vary in time, but in essence it will always be reflected in our antecessors.

- Gallego, Carolina (February 1, 2010)

WHAT IS CULTURE?

2010-02-01T17:07:00.000-05:00

For antropologists and many other behavioral scientists, CULTURE is the full range of learned human behavior patterns. The term was first used by the english anthropologist Edward B. Tylor in his book "Primitive Culture" in 1871. He said that "culture is that complex whole which includes knowlwdge, belief, art, law, moral, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society".

- O´Neal, Dennis (2006, May 26) What is Culture?

Retrieved in February 1, 2010, from Palomar Education´s website:

http://anthro.palomar.edu/culture/culture_1.htm

Culture is a term used by social scientists for a people´s whole way of life. In everyday conversation the word "culture" may refer to activities in such fields as art, literature and music. But to social scientists, a people´s culture consists of all the ideas, objects and ways of doing things created by the group. Culture includes arts, beliefs, customs, inventions, language, technology and traditions.

         - What is Culture (no date)
        Retrieved in February 1, 2010, from Millicent Rogers Museum Webpage
         http://www.millicentrogers.org/what_is_culture.htm

The simplest definition of CULTURE is that is composed of everything symbolic that we learn. In other words, it includes all of our actions and beliefs that are not transmitted by genes, but are transmitted and stored by symbols. Symbols are meaningless in themselves (intrinsically), unless they are given meaning by humans.

         - Bartle, Phill (no date) The Meaning of Culture
         Retrieved in February 1, 2o10, from Community Empowerment
         http://www.scn.org/cmp/modules/per-culm.htm