Stories about Latin America from November, 2014
Position-ography: ‘I Know What You Did Last Term’
During the economic and political crisis in Argentina in 2001, people shouted in the streets, “Go to hell, everyone (rulers)!” More than a decade after these events, this popular cry was transformed into a digital tool that allows voters to learn about the political background of their candidates. On Infoactivismo, there...
Mexico's Missing Ayotzinapa Students Are More Than Just a Number
Actors and illustrators are dedicating work to the missing student teachers in an effort to humanize them beyond the oft-cited number 43.
The Internet of Things and Smart Crops
Today, it's not enough to just talk about the Internet. This concept has broadened and it's a good challenge for those who want to become electronic engineers. César Viloria Núñez, a professor at the Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia, explains what the Internet of things is: Consiste en que las cosas...
National Conference on Internet Governance in Ecuador
The International Center of Research in Communication for Latin America (CIESPAL, by its name in Spanish), the Association for Progressive Communication (APC), Association of Free Software of Ecuador (ASLE), Infodesarrollo Network, the organization Free Libre Open Knowledge Society (FLOK) and the Latinoamerican Agency of Information (ALAI) are hosting the National...
Venezuela: Draft Law Would Criminalize Online Protest, Remove Checks on Surveillance
Under the law, a person using digital media to “promote or attack the constitutional order” or “disrupt public peace” could face between one and five years behind bars.
Colombians Push for Peace After Kidnapping Derails FARC Talks
"It is difficult to achieve peace when bullets are flying."
Victims Reveal Culture of Rape and Silence at Brazil's Top University
Two female students accuse University of São Paulo's medical college of pressuring them to not report the incidents to protect the school's reputation.
11-Year-Old Girl Starts Petition Calling for Mexican President's Resignation
An 11 year-old Mexican girl decided to collect signatures calling for the resignation of the president of her country, Enrique Peña Nieto, due to his handling of the disappearance of 43 trainee school teachers.
Using Your Reflex Camera From Your Cellphone? Lumera!
Yes, now it's possible! Thanks to Lumera, after two years of hard work as a result of a project by Open Hardware, from Hackbo, Bogota's hackerspace. It's all about a small device that gets integrated into your reflex photographic camera, transforming it into a “smart camera”. Using Lumera, you can...
Colombian Economic Deceleration, Is the Government Aware of This Situation?
On a review of what is going on with Colombian economy, Daniel Bustos writes on his blog Trayectoria Económica an analysis of what he calls ‘skinny cows’ or lean times. Although the economy is still standing thanks to public and private investment and the construction industry, the oil barrel price...
Paddington Bear Visits the Land of His Peruvian Forefathers
El oso Paddington, popular personaje de ficción de literatura infantil del Reino Unido, llegó al Perú, su tierra natal como parte de una campaña del Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo del país andino.
Recreating Life of Comechingon People
Villa de Merlo, in the province of San Luis, was home of one of many indigenous communities that settled in the territory of what we now know as the Republic of Argentina. Wenceslao Bottaro tells us about the Theme Park Yucat Land of Comechingones, which teach us about this culture:...
Murder of Beauty Queen and Her Sister Reminds Honduras of the Horror of Machismo Violence
After police announced they had found the women's bodies, Twitter users expressed their grief over the sad news.
Mexico ‘Adrift'!
The tragedy of the students from Ayotzinapa in Guerrero, Mexico, has started a wave of solidarity among Mexicans and people throughout the world, so much so that students from at least 43 counties are demanding justice for their missing peers. But to explain the sentiments of families and locals engaged...
Let's Keep Fighting Gender-Based Violence!
Mujeres construyendo (Women building) reports about the Campaign Beijing+20 de UN, a small contribution in the fight against gender-based violence. Violence against women isn't just about physical violence, but sexual and psychological violence as well. According to data provided by UH Women, 120 million girls have been victims of sexual...
The Tragedy in Mexico's Iguala Is a ‘Game Changer’
Fernando Vázquez Rigada blogged on October 27 about the dreadful events occured in the community of Iguala, Mexico. By his understanding, this has unveiled just how rotten the government is, starting from the involvement of the former mayor and continuing with the corruption within institutions. El 26 había una crisis...
Rural Tourism at Itapeby Country House in Argentina
Wenceslao Bottaro, blogging on Blucansendel, presents us with a business venture in sustainable rural tourism: Itapeby Country House, located in the Argentinian province of Entre Ríos, close to Gualeguaychú. Itapeby is home to Poppy and Rodolfo, who grow crops and raise cows, pigs, poultry and sheep, offering visitors the fruits...
The New York Times Joins Clamor to Change US Policy Toward Cuba
The newspaper has called on President Obama to make a litany of changes to the country's foreign policy toward its Caribbean neighbor, including ending its embargo and resuming diplomatic relations.
Recycling Workers Are Leading the Zero Waste Charge in Brazil
Recycling workers have spearheaded the launch of a national Zero Waste Alliance in Brazil, which seeks to have all materials of a product be reused, recycled or composted.
How Traditional Schooling Is Contrary to Natural Learning
Homeschooling and unschooling are two educational trends that don't conform with traditional education. Each method is back up by its own scholars and supporters, including systematic school education. These are the issues addressed in Paula Lago's article, who explains the differences between learning in the classroom and what she calls...
‘Pickup Artist’ Julien Blanc Isn't Welcome in Brazil, Either
Social media outcry prompted Brazilian officials to deny his visa. Blanc has advocated violent and sexist approaches to dating, even writing on Twitter, "Don't worry. I only abuse women."