Comments on: Social Change in Colombia http://matadornetwork.com/change/social-change-in-colombia/ travel culture worldwide Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Julie Schwietert http://matadornetwork.com/change/social-change-in-colombia/#comment-47140 Julie Schwietert Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:21:59 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=405#comment-47140 Rick- Thanks for your comment. I suppose that my definition of social change is broader than yours. Regarding how to interact with this project from the US, it's rather complicated, which is why I didn't address that "take action" aspect in the article. The terms of the school's governance, which were determined not by locals but by the Spanish government and Spanish sponsors, do not permit the school to accept donations. The school is also, curiously, not permitted to sell any of the products that students make (ironwork, woodwork, jewelry, or food), which is one reason why they don't have an online shop, for instance. I spoke at length with the director about how people abroad could support the project, and the only idea he had was to send books. Rick-

Thanks for your comment. I suppose that my definition of social change is broader than yours.

Regarding how to interact with this project from the US, it’s rather complicated, which is why I didn’t address that “take action” aspect in the article. The terms of the school’s governance, which were determined not by locals but by the Spanish government and Spanish sponsors, do not permit the school to accept donations. The school is also, curiously, not permitted to sell any of the products that students make (ironwork, woodwork, jewelry, or food), which is one reason why they don’t have an online shop, for instance. I spoke at length with the director about how people abroad could support the project, and the only idea he had was to send books.

]]> By: Rick1848 http://matadornetwork.com/change/social-change-in-colombia/#comment-47139 Rick1848 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:12:19 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=405#comment-47139 It's a very interesting piece. However, what's described isn't social change, but community economic development done within a social context. Julie, I would've like to have known about the possibility of being able to interact with this (or other projects in what we call the third world) project from here in the U.S. Social change is transformational, which can be either radical or reactionary in nature. To me, social change must---at its core--be anti-capitalist and seek to raise people's consciousness and make reforms that alter their material existence. It’s a very interesting piece. However, what’s described isn’t social change, but community economic development done within a social context. Julie, I would’ve like to have known about the possibility of being able to interact with this (or other projects in what we call the third world) project from here in the U.S.

Social change is transformational, which can be either radical or reactionary in nature. To me, social change must—at its core–be anti-capitalist and seek to raise people’s consciousness and make reforms that alter their material existence.

]]> By: neha http://matadornetwork.com/change/social-change-in-colombia/#comment-46511 neha Fri, 22 May 2009 09:20:56 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=405#comment-46511 Beautiful piece, Julie. As always. Beautiful piece, Julie. As always.

]]> By: Julie Schwietert http://matadornetwork.com/change/social-change-in-colombia/#comment-46859 Julie Schwietert Tue, 19 May 2009 21:05:26 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=405#comment-46859 Richard- Ha! Good questions... everyone I talked to (program directors of various services who are largely dependent on the city budget) seemed to think that the money just sits around and never gets released by the government, even though it's been both earmarked and approved by federal govt. officials. Local officials hang onto it and allow it to accumulate interest while they debate and quibble over where it should be directed and how the budget should be redrawn. But who actually knows? Richard-

Ha! Good questions… everyone I talked to (program directors of various services who are largely dependent on the city budget) seemed to think that the money just sits around and never gets released by the government, even though it’s been both earmarked and approved by federal govt. officials. Local officials hang onto it and allow it to accumulate interest while they debate and quibble over where it should be directed and how the budget should be redrawn. But who actually knows?

]]> By: Richard http://matadornetwork.com/change/social-change-in-colombia/#comment-46842 Richard Tue, 19 May 2009 16:08:04 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=405#comment-46842 Nice piece Julie. I would like to know where the bulk of the $6 million goes in the town! And what of the 7 million Euros that arrived for the complete refurb of the riverfront walk? Nice piece Julie.
I would like to know where the bulk of the $6 million goes in the town! And what of the 7 million Euros that arrived for the complete refurb of the riverfront walk?

]]> By: Tim Patterson http://matadornetwork.com/change/social-change-in-colombia/#comment-46798 Tim Patterson Mon, 18 May 2009 23:30:48 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=405#comment-46798 Loved this article, Julie, especially the take away message - that social change often happens under the radar of most media. The best aid work is from the bottom up - humility is key, and people must be empowered, not just helped. Thanks! Loved this article, Julie, especially the take away message – that social change often happens under the radar of most media. The best aid work is from the bottom up – humility is key, and people must be empowered, not just helped.

Thanks!

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