Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
is a culturally rich country with an extremely educated population, abundant natural resources, and a growing economy. However the country is still drastically divided by a gap between the rich and poor, unresolved national human rights violations, a recent economic crisis, constant political instability, and unenforceable laws and legislation. The most unique condition of Argentinas recent economic crisis is that it created a new kind of poor a highly educated middle class that lost its privilege and was forced to live with a greatly reduced quality of life. This new poor amplified the presence of social movements and political expression. With masses of Argentines coming together to find solutions on their own, the country is growing into a rich resource for nonprofit development and grass roots movements. FSD is working with many of these NGOs to confront community issues and aggregate resources that empower and give rise to sustainable solutions. Making use of cultural centers for development activities, utilizing radio to mobilize action, supporting job skills programs, empowering youth to become community leaders, and providing food programs for struggling families are ways that FSD supports growing communities in the La Plata region. It is an exciting time to engage in Argentinas redevelopment and take part in a community movement that offers hope for a better nation in the new century.
Argentina
For more opportunities in community development in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly.
Email: info@fsdinternational.org
www.fsdinternational.org
argentina
environment
Environmental
issues in Argentina are typical of those of most developing nations: water, air quality, deforestation, and soil degradation. Many nongovernmental and governmental agencies work towards research and policy making that address pressing threats to the preservation of Argentinas wondrous natural landscapes, forests, and farmlands. Experts agree that it isnt the laws that are deficient in Argentina; rather it is repeated failures to enforce current laws. With the added internal conflict of the 2001 economic crisis, the struggle to balance economic growth and environmental preservation is a major challenge. The environmental, social, and health of costs of these habits are not being computed into Argentinas economic formula. In order to create enforceable policies, research must be done and the public must be educated. FSD interns in Argentina have the opportunity to conduct vital research that informs many projects initiated by FSD host organizations (specifically research in public transportation, public awareness campaigns, national and international environmental law policies, and air emissions cataloguing). Other interns and volunteers support the implementation of project work that is fed by critical research. These various projects lay the foundation for any type of hope for future policy changes and their enforcement, making skilled interns and volunteers an absolute necessity for the environmental sustainability of Argentina.
For more opportunities in environment in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly.
www.fsdinternational.org
Email: info@fsdinternational.org
argentina
health
Argentinas
recent economic crisis aggravated the already deficient health care system. There has been a deterioration in the funding of both private and public health care programs, a rise in the cost of imported medications as a result of currency devaluation, and an increase in the demand for public hospital services. Many could not afford medical care after the economic crash. Reports show that there has been a reduced frequency in which poorer Argentineans take their children in for medical visits. In addition, changes in the mental and emotional status of individuals are being observed with a higher percentage of surveyed households reporting that they feel discouraged or without hope for the future. Mental illnesses are already recording exponential growth in the number of emergency consultations, while suicide appears to be increasing among adolescents. Since the quality of care and service provided by the public and private sector has worsened due to lack of funds, the need for alternative social health programs is in high demand. Community education and awareness, as well as the establishment of mental health support groups are essential steps in order to promote preventative healthcare, and to create a sane, healthy, and productive population. This demand for community social health programs is one in which FSD host organizations directly address by enacting local health initiatives that reach the people who are in greatest need.
For more opportunities in Health in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly
www.fsdinternational.org
Email: info@fsdinternational.org
argentina
human rights
important and debated topics in Argentina today. In 2006, Argentina will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the 1976 military coup which lasted until 1983. This seven year period saw an estimated 30,000 civilians disappear and many thousands more subjected to atrocious human rights violations notably kidnap and torture. During the time that this all took place, few dared to speak out with the exception of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Until very recently this group held vigils to demand recognition of the crimes. Currently, both the Argentine government is beginning to show sympathy for the human rights violations of the seventies and eighties. President Kirchner recently promised to bring the perpetrators to justice. In 2003 the congress rolled back measures taken in the late eighties and nineties by previous Argentine administrations to pardon former military officials that were guilty of human rights abuses during the dictatorship. In 2005 these were overturned by a Supreme Court ruling, opening the way to detention and prosecution of suspects. Until Argentina takes the steps necessary to put to justice those guilty of the kidnappings, tortures, and murders, its people will not be able to heal the open wounds that they have been suffering from during the last thirty years. FSD has many partner organizations that work directly towards the accountability and reconciliation of the human rights violations that took place during the dictatorship. It is an ideal place to observe and participate in the implementation of human rights law enforcement and reconciliation.
For more opportunities in human rights in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly.
www.fsdinternational.org
Email: info@fsdinternational.org
argentina
micro-enterprise
with soaring growth due to international investment usage that would prove fruitful for the short term. By the end of the decade, the Menem administration had instituted structural adjustment policies that eventually plummeted the economy. By 2001, the economy deteriorated so badly that the country suffered an absolute meltdown, with industrial infrastructure and agricultural markets on their knees, minimal social and public services available, and aggressive privatization that resulted in many Argentines unable to afford basic needs such as water. More than 50 percent of the country lived below the poverty line an astonishing statistic considering the apparent wealth of nation. After two years of desperation, Argentina is beginning to stabilize its debt, reinvest into infrastructure, and boost agriculture profits. The growth is built upon incredible grassroots movements and leadership efforts that are producing jobs throughout many sectors. GDP has been growing exponentially. Despite all of this, there is still much room for improvement with Argentinas economic situation. A large population of the country could greatly benefit from increased financial opportunities. FSD partners with organizations that provide economic opportunity to underserved populations. Volunteers and interns contribute in the areas of mentoring cooperative members, teaching capacity building courses, bringing organizational skills, and networking/researching other local foundations for information sharing. These practices are showing strongly positive results and are in great need by local organizations.
For more opportunities in micro-enterprise in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly.
Email: info@fsdinternational.org
www.fsdinternational.org
argentina
womens empowerment
Argentina has a history of female leaders, as well as internationally recognized images that symbolize the heavy participation of women in the political, social, and domestic fields. These range from the beloved Eva Peron, the most remembered and influential Argentine First Lady, to the more recent Madres de la Plaza de Mayo a weekly reunion of hundreds of mothers who protest against the unaccountable disappearances and murders of their children during the dirty war. However, despite their inclusion in politics and business, Argentinean women are still shadowed by the historically traditional, Catholic influence and machismo culture. The rise of social movements resulting from the peoples protest against the harsh conditions of the 2001 economic crisis and the dirty war, contributed to the rise of solidarity between women. With the disappearances of thousands of men, women stepped up in response and defended their families. Similarly, the loss of income due to the 2001 crisis required both men and women to contribute to the family resources. Both these factors motivated women to take leadership roles in many of the grassroots movements igniting throughout the country. FSD seeks to promote this coalition and solidarity movement of women by giving these groups the resources and skills they need to exponentially grow. Most womens groups need capacity building activities, organization assistance, technical assistance, aid in promotion and marketing, and encouragement through solidarity with international womens support mechanisms.
For more opportunities in womens empowerment in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly.
www.fsdinternational.org
Email: info@fsdinternational.org
argentina
rate - ninety seven percent - there is still a serious deficiency in educational support for marginalized children. After the economic crisis, those living at the bottom of the economic ladder ended up in poverty creating a significantly larger percentage of children with inadequate living conditions and a need for greater educational support. There is a growing demand for tutor programs, community libraries, and supplemental educational programs in the arts, health, hygiene, physical activity, sex education, and peer mentorship. Many children are also in need of emotional guidance as they struggle to adjust to a life that was foreign to them before the crisis. This includes help in dealing with the pressures of drugs and alcohol. The creation of community youth centers is an essential tool that can create community support, and divert Argentinean youth from substance abuse. NGOs working with youth and education projects are always looking for positive examples for Argentina marginalized youth a role that many interns and volunteers provide. Also, the food kitchens and shelters which have become the jewels of the La Plata community are in constant need of manpower in order to continue providing essential services to the children. FSD interns in Argentina can play an important role in creating a brighter future for Argentinean children.
For more opportunities in youth and education in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly.
www.fsdinternational.org
Email: info@fsdinternational.org