The government of Argentina has lead a recovery process of the properties that were formerly clandestine centres of detention, torture and extermination during the dictatorship years of the Dirty War. The Voluntario Global members and volunteers were given the chance to visit one of these centres locally, called 'Virrey Cevallos' which operated between 1976 and 1977. They are still working to find out exactly how many of the 'disappeared' were detained here.
The centres are public sites that work to promote remembrance about the tragedy this society suffered, contributing to the collective comprehension of its past and committed to the society's present problems and needs. It was also conceived as a place to pay tribute to the victims of the military dictatorship.
In pursuit of this remembrance, the organisation at Virrey Cevallos, alongside some survivors, have been working together to uncover exactly what took place in the building, what steps were taken in its creation and exactly who was detained in such places with the help of testimonials and piecing together evidence to build an understanding of a chapter of Argentine history that until now has been overlooked.
First Day Volunteering as Psychology Assistant in Buenos Aires
geschrieben von Kathryn HollandJust two days after arriving in Buenos Aires, Catherine, a Psychology graduate from New York, made her first trip to the medical centre where she will be volunteering for the next 8 weeks. Not only did she have to deal with the 'first day nerves' of a new job, but also the challenge of communicating in another language, and acclimatising to a very different way of working!
You may wonder why Argentina chooses to remember the date of the beginning of the dictatorship, rather than celebrating the end. It is an event that focuses on educating the young, highlighting what it means to have a democratic system in place and how nobody in the country should ever have to live without basic human rights as occurred that day when the democracy was lost hoping that with this understanding no such violence will ever reoccur, keeping Argentina's future bright.
The Día de la memoria, verdad y justicia falls on the 24th of March every year in Argentina to remember those 30 000 people who were tortured, kidnapped and disappeared during 'The Dirty War', which spanned 8 years. It was this exact date in 1976 when Argentina's democratic government was overthrown by the powers of a civil military dictatorship. The weight of this important date is felt across the entire country as thousands of communities gather in peaceful marches to remember the painful, bloody past to ask for justice for their missing loved ones.
The dictatorship named itself the 'National Reorganisation Process', which sounded shockingly formal, just and correct. As part of their plan to exterminate the military government (who, they believed, undermined human rights) and culturally change Argentinian people, tens of thousands of people were arrested, tortured, abducted, murdered or forced into exile. Most of this violence took place in clandestine detention centres throughout the country.
Among the missing, there is a number of children who were adopted illegally.There is an organisation called Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, which has been dedicated to locating the kidnapped children, and has already found more than 110. On Remembrance Day, the Plaza Del Mayo in Capital Federal, Buenos Aires turns into an annual meeting place for the organisation.
The marches on this day bring together people from all walks of life, all ages, and all parts of the country. Social organisations (like Voluntario Global), political groups, human rights supporters and friends and families of those who were disappeared come together to remember the atrocities that took place and to fight for justice, human rights, and the truth.
Further reading:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-22004491
Tourism is one of the global industries in which women play an enormous role, representing between 60 and 70 per cent of its employment. As travellers and global citizens, it is important to understand how traveling sustainably can benefit the lives of women around the world.
To help honour International Women’s Day, graphic design student Greer Mullin created an infographic that illustrates the inequality many women in developing countries face in the tourism industry—and the hope they have for a better tomorrow.
When The Laundry Project started, about 90% of young people living in shantytowns in Argentina could not continue their education after secondary school due to financial instability. Today, this number has been reduced.
"That's how the The Laundry Project started, as a proposal to resolve this situation. The Laundry Project was born out of a necessity at that time, because we had a lot of young people who were finishing secondary school and were abandoning education", explained Armin, founder of Voluntario Global and The Laundry Project.
On July, 2008, The Laundry Project won the YPF Young Entrepreneur Grant and started looking for a place to open the laundry.
In January 2010, the project opened and started working with 2 washing machines, 2 irons, 1 delivery motorcycle and 5 young people participating. Most of the young people working in The Laundry Project, live in Villa Soldati, a small neighborhood in the south west of Buenos Aires.
As the business grew, more youngsters needed work, and so together with Voluntario Global and the help of former volunteers who raised money for the Laundry, they were able to buy a new washing machine, an industrial iron and a dryer. By the end of 2012, they already had 9 young people working with them.
On the 4th March, 2013 —exactly 2 years ago— Armin was killed by two thieves trying to steal his motorbike. He was only 29. Armin dedicated his life to helping young people from his neighborhood, Villa Soldati, to escape a life of poverty and drugs. Armin had started with The Laundry Project when he was only 23 years old.
On Friday August 8th, 2014 the Cooperative bought a new washing machine, a huge moment for the project as it is the first step towards ultimately leading to a world of more responsible economic growth. This was the first time they had bout something wholly by themselves, without the aid of any national grants or volunteering organisations. This day marked a new beginning for the independent life of the Cooperative.
The next step is to acquire new clients such as hotels to expand the production and create more work opportunities which will in turn go towards the pursuit of a greater social economy. They continue to work towards the same goals that Armin set when he and Voluntario Global started the project meaning that even in his absence he is still a fundamental part of this project.
So you've made it to Buenos Aires... Welcome!
Your first few hours in the city might be daunting and overwhelming so we have made a list of some key things you might need to know in order to find your feet in those important first few hours!
- The Voluntario Global House is located on the famous Avenida de Mayo in the neighbourhood of Monserrat, which forms part of Buenos Aires’ business district. It is a neighbourhood steeped in local history and home to some of Argentina’s most significant public buildings and landmarks. Check out this website for details of the different neighbourhoods and also some good 'new to Buenos Aires' tips and articles: http://www.gringoinbuenosaires.com/neighborhood-guides/
- If you get a taxi (they are good value for money here) you need to tell them the cross roads nearest to where you are going, they don't tend to know street numbers so if you are heading to the Volunteer's House, you would need to say to the taxi driver 'Avenida de Mayo y San Jose' and they will know exactly where to go.
- There is a really good website which will help you navigate the public transport and help you plan your journeys: http://mapa.buenosaires.gob.ar/
- The nearest large supermarket which stocks everything you might need including fresh fruit, vegetables and meat is: Coto (Bartolomé Mitre 1558) but there are plenty of other smaller convenience stores even closer, like Carrefour Express (Av de Mayo 1452). There are lots of pharmacies around too, the closest being Farmacity (Av de Mayo 1470).
- If the thought of hitting a supermarket is the last thing you want to do after a day travelling then I can recommend a lovely, traditional cafe just up the road where you can settle down for a coffee and some pastries – I recommend the medialunas, which are fresh tasty croissants which you will see everywhere here! Los 36 Billares (Av de Mayo1271).
- If you have signed up to do Spanish lessons with Voluntario Global, these will be held at Buenos Aires Spanish School, which is situated very conveniently to the Volunteer's House, just one block away on Hipolito Yrigoyen 1264 (3rd Floor, Apartment D – you need to buzz in and take the back set of steps).
The rest you will learn once you start exploring and meeting new people but hopefully these basics will help you to feel a bit more comfortable in your first few hours!
'Fileteado' translates directly into English as 'narrow strips', an iconic decorative art-form born in Buenos Aires, which is frequently used to represent the eclectic city in guidebooks. For Porteños, fileteado is more than just a decoration, it is a symbol of Argentine identity and on just my second day here as communications volunteer I got the chance to take a walking tour and a deeper look into these rich and colourful paintings.
We gathered at the Carlos Gardel and Anchorena and spent time studying an immense array of examples of fileteado: designs ranging from flowers and spiralling plant motifs to horses, dragons and tango dancers. I decided to put my language learning to the test and listen to the tour in Spanish, just asking for a few words in English when I didn't understand! Our lovely guide spoke of how the art was inspired by popular culture, images of Carlos Gardel (the most prominent figure in the history of tango), phrases and sayings 'of wisdom' that were popular with the residents at the time.
Continuing to walk through to Zelaya, we learned that fileteado was thought to have started as decoration for vehicles, but it quickly progressed to easel paintings, objects and the streets. The spirit of tango music could be felt here. Getting a little more technical, Gustavo Ferrari, fileteador, joined our group to outline the key elements that go into making this highly stylised art:
- Bright lively colours to catch the eye.
- Careful shading to create a feeling of depth.
- Gothic typography and highly ornamented characters.
- Each composition is always enclosed in a painted frame, which can take the shape of the painting surface.
- The composition is always brimming with content and symbolism, for example a horseshoe for good luck!
After being inspired by the masters, it was time to have a go ourselves (and enjoy some 'Mate'). Gustavo welcomed us to an artists’ studio where he took us through the basic steps of creating our own masterpiece, what a treat! Filling in a basic outline with paint takes a steady hand and many of us were shocked at how difficult it was to use the paints in such a controlled manner. He explained which size paintbrush works for which part of the composition, how to mix and layer the correct colours and use light and shade to bring the piece to life... The results, I don't know how, but they looked pretty good!
My tour was organised by '054 Online' I had a thoroughly enjoyable (and educational) afternoon so do check them out.
10 Compelling Reasons to Consider Volunteering After College
geschrieben von Jesica FrancoHaving graduated from college, you are now an adult by every meaning of the word. Forty years of work awaits you. You're hearing the siren song of the rat race. But if you haven't figured it out by now, the cookie-cutter life path of college-work-marriage-kids-death doesn't have to be the way it all goes down. Volunteering after college is an adventurous option that you can take to make the world a better place, and benefit yourself a little in the process. Here are 10 reasons why you should give it some serious thought.
1. See the world
Some of the poorest countries that are the most in need of help also happen to be some of the most breathtaking places in the world. The mountains of Nepal, the lush jungles of Costa Rica, the wide expanses of Kenya are just a few of the lush vistas available to you.
2. Volunteering makes you live longer
Although at 21 or 22 you probably think you're invincible, trust us: it won't be long until it takes you three days to recover from a pickup basketball game and you start thinking seriously about your health. The good news is, if you start helping people for selfless reasons, you may live longer.
3. Help your resume
The job market being what it is, volunteer experience can make great material for improving a resume and helping yourself stand out. More employers are saying they're interested in employees with volunteer experience. And who knows? You might land a job with the nonprofit you volunteer with.
4. Find your calling
College grads who aren't sure what they want to do with their lives are often advised to take an internship somewhere to get a feel for life in a certain line of work. Volunteering can serve the same purpose. You may find your passion is helping people.
5. Build lifelong friendships
Serving alongside people has a way of forming special bonds that can last for years. Especially if your volunteering takes you to a third world country, the newness and uncertainty of the environment encourages you to find similarity with your fellow volunteers, which builds a basis for friendships that can last a lifetime.
6. Gain valuable experience
There are so many different ways to volunteer, the skills that can be learned in the process are countless. Whether you volunteer as a firefighter or a camp counselor, you'll gain valuable knowledge about the world and about yourself that can be applied anywhere.
7. It can change your outlook on life
Volunteering is probably the best way to break yourself out of your comfort zone and show you what life is like for many people. Doing so can change your views on a number of important social issues, like welfare, public health care, education, and more.
8. Learn a foreign language
Anyone who has tried to pick up a second language will tell you there's no quicker way to become fluent than by immersing yourself in a culture where that language, and nothing but that language, is spoken. Volunteering abroad is the perfect time to learn a foreign tongue.
9. Get motivated
Maybe you just haven't felt motivated to get to work now that college is over. Since objects in motion tend to stay in motion, getting off the couch and volunteering is a good way to build some momentum that can carry you into your working career.
10. Volunteering makes you happier
Happier people tend to live longer, which may explain why volunteering makes you live longer. Making other people happy is a tried and true way to achieve happiness yourself. If you want more than chasing the almighty dollar after college, you may find joy in volunteering.
This post has been republished from: http://goo.gl/A51yFv
[Find English version below]
La Asamblea General de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) proclamó en 2007 al 20 de febrero como el “Día mundial de la Justicia Social”. La celebración de este día intenta impulsar la acción de la comunidad internacional en pos de la igualdad de oportunidades y género, el pleno empleo y el acceso al bienestar para todos los habitantes del planeta. Además, busca comprometer a todos los Estados miembro para erradicar la pobreza y cualquier tipo de desigualdad social.
¿Por qué es tan importante la justicia social? Según la declaración de la ONU es un principio fundamental para la convivencia pacífica y próspera, dentro y entre las naciones. Para cumplir con ese compromiso, el Ministerio de Desarrollo Social implementa políticas integrales de generación de trabajo y de protección de la familia. En Argentina, la justicia social fue una de las tres banderas que proclamó el Peronismo junto a las de independencia económica y soberanía política. Aquella primera concepción dejaba de lado la idea de “beneficencia” sobre la acción social. Para ello, buscaba institucionalizar a través de una legislación derechos que, partiendo del mundo laboral, se extendieron paulatinamente a las mujeres, la infancia y la tercera edad.
En la actualidad, el concepto de justicia social encuentra su sentido en la búsqueda de la equidad en términos materiales y legales para que todas las expresiones sociales, políticas y culturales se sientan parte de una nación: a los principios “clásicos” asociados a la justicia social (trabajo, vivienda, salud, educación, ingresos mínimos), se le suman el acceso a los bienes culturales, el respeto a las minorías étnicas, a las elecciones de género, a las diferentes expresiones de los principios y movimientos ambientalistas. Uno de los desafíos más importantes que tiene nuestro tiempo es el de generar consensos entre todos los miembros de la comunidad sobre la relevancia de implementar políticas de desarrollo nacional con inclusión social.
FUENTE: http://www.desarrollosocial.gov.ar/Noticia.aspx?Id=3004
Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.
For the United Nations, the pursuit of social justice for all is at the core of our global mission to promote development and human dignity. The adoption by the International Labour Organization of the Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization is just one recent example of the UN system’s commitment to social justice. The Declaration focuses on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.
The General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly. Observance of World Day of Social Justice should support efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.
VOLUNTARIO GLOBAL
Voluntario Global helps local communities by being available to discuss anything that local organizations need, and offering ideas for further change and development.
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CONTACT
Location: General Pacheco. Buenos Aires. Argentina
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