Growing up in the south (Georgia, United States), I am now enjoying a whole different type of “south”. After cutting my teeth on Spanish through Central America, I taught English in Ecuador. Now I work in Bogotá, Colombia.
My interest in the Latin American region and the Spanish language led me to Global Voices. Global news distribution and actual reaction by people (or blogs) on the ground make this site enjoyable and educational to read.
Latest posts by Stephen Cairns
10 September 2012
Colombia Answers with New Promotional Campaign and Slogan
"Where are foreigners welcomed with courtesy, friendship and love? #TheAnswerIsColombia." A new promotional campaign and video was launched by the Colombian government with the slogan "The Answer is Colombia." Countless...
25 May 2012
Spain: How Social Networks are Cleaning Up TV
For several years low-quality content has been broadcast in Spain. Called "telebasura" in Spanish or simply trash TV, it has been a very profitable business model for its low cost...
15 April 2012
Colombia: Painter and Sculptor Fernando Botero Celebrates 80
On April 19, 2012 the Colombian sculptor and painter Fernando Botero will turn 80 years old. The celebrations for his birthday have already started in Colombia and other parts of...
2 April 2012
Colombia: Lawmakers Rush Bill on Author Rights and Intellectual Property
On March 20, a bill was hurriedly presented to reform the legislative and regulatory framework of authors' rights and intellectual property as part of the government's implementation of the requirements...
13 March 2012
Colombia: FARC Announces End to Kidnappings, Release of Hostages
On February 26, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) announced they would release ten military hostages they currently hold. Despite hope the announcement generated, there are doubts and other...
7 February 2012
Internet Radio and Podcasts from Ecuador
Juan Arellano shares some video interviews from Campus Party Quito with the people behind several podcasts and internet radios in Ecuador.
18 January 2012
Nicaragua: Telecom Company CLARO Censors Clients
The perseverance of Nicaragua's internet community through social networks in denouncing the censorship act by CLARO Nicaragua was the reason the company stopped stonewalling and lifted the access block on...
4 October 2011
Colombia: El Puente_lab Making a Difference in Moravia, Medellin
In Medellín, Colombia, the project Hiperbarrio (Rising Voices project) is being developed along with other interesting projects that attempt to improve social inclusion and citizen media training. One project we...
29 August 2011
Blog Carnival: Mexico – Verbalizing the Violence
Our first 2011 Blog Carnival had the theme "Mexico - Citizenry, Violence and Blogs". In this first part of the final summary, we showcase what Mexican bloggers thought about past...
12 August 2011
Colombia: Citizens Speak Out Against Government Corruption
In Colombia, several corruption cases have surfaced that date back to the government of former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez. The Internet and social media sphere has reacted, calling for Colombians...
21 April 2011
Chile: Nurse Expedites Organ Transport Using Twitter
Cristina Bizama, a nurse at Talca hospital in Chile, has devised a way to speed up the transport of organs from the city of Talca to the capital, Santiago, some...
12 April 2011
Colombia: Citizens Reject Proposal to Reform Higher Education Law 30
Colombian President Santos' proposal to reform the Higher Education Law 30 has not been received well. Despite some accepting it, the loudest voices heard, online and in the streets, have...
1 February 2011
Peru: Gay Marriage Becomes Presidential Election Issue
Same-sex marriage has been debated for some time, and its possible legalization has become a part of the election platforms of presidential candidates in Peru. This follows the rejection of...
24 January 2011
Chile: Citizens respond to natural gas crisis in Magallanes
The announcement to raise natural gas prices in the southern region of Magallanes in Chile generated an immediate reaction from citizens that forced the government to modify the measure. Protests,...
19 January 2011
Panama: Fire in Youth Prison Sparks Controversy
A fire in a correctional facility for juvenile offenders has generated all types of reactions on Twitter and Panamanian blogs. The police officers involved are trying to defend themselves and...
24 December 2010
Dominican Republic: Demanding 4% of National Budget for Education
In the Dominican Republic there is a heated debate about the quality of education that focuses on the fact that the General Law of Education establishes that annual public funding...
13 December 2010
Nicaragua-Costa Rica Conflict, Revisited: Part II
This is the second part of a walk-through of the Nicaraguan and Costa Rican blogospheres discussing the recent border dispute between the countries. The conflict, which started November 2nd, has...
3 December 2010
Colombia: Floods in Riosucio, Chocó
The recent winter weather in Colombia has been picked up by traditional media and social networks are talking about the flooding, landslides and uprooted trees happening there. The national news...
15 November 2010
Colombia: Twitter Users Report On Clashes Between Armed Groups in Medellín
On the night of November 9th, in the Manrique Santa Inés sector of Medellin, Colombia, several loud shots were heard that the majority of inhabitants associated with gunfire. Quickly Twitter...
9 November 2010
Chile: Students Walk More Than a Thousand Kilometers for Public Education
Three Chilean university students began walking this past September 30th. They walk for Chilean education and will cover more than 1000 km through Chile until they arrive in Santiago, the...
