Celebrating Conexiones Institute’s 11-Year Anniversary in 2011!
From post war El Salvador, to the deserts of Arizona, to the jungles of Costa Rica, to the streets of San Francisco…from indigenous elders to CEO’s, to filmmakers, to toddlers…its been a long path of experimentation to provide meaningful and educational ecological and cross-cultural experiences, programs, services, information, and productions meant to advance peaceful, prosperous, culturally vibrant and sustainable globalization for all.
We have had steady growth amidst some surprises and set-backs thanks to the support of our students, members and friends and our determination to move forward! We’re so glad we did!
This Nov. 11, 2011 we will be unveiling our most exciting program yet! In our new AVENTURAS Preschool Alternative, young children will learn Spanish through eco-cultural field trips, experiences and opportunities for creative expression! Stay tuned!
Carbon Nation Sparks a Solutions-Based Conversation About a Unifying Issue
Justly produced green/renewable energy is a common theme that unites us all and which requires extensive cross-cultural cooperation. We all pretty much know the problems with oil and coal (whether or not humans are causing climate change), but most of us need more information about how to support a just transition to renewables.
The film, Carbon Nation, by Peter Byrk, not only educates on this important issue, but it motivates and inspires cooperative action. It is focused on positive case-studies already in place in the U.S.A. and the small solutions everyday people can be a part of. Those outside of the U.S. can glean many ideas for their own countries from this showcase of solutions. We like that it doesn´t go into politics, doesn´t point fingers and is based on real solutions that make sense not just for the environment, but for social justice and economic development too.
Of course, there are always hidden social/ecological/economic nuances to consider in any ¨solution¨(i.e. using food crops for biofuel = food shortages and increased deforestation), but this film is a very good start and should be in the toolkit of any educator or advocate working in the fields of sustainability, renewable energy, and climate change.
Watch the trailer and visit the Carbon Nation film website to learn more by clicking here
Spread the word!
Baja All-Exclusive Film English Version Now Available Online!
After many months of hard work, an 11 minute English version of the documentary, Baja All-Exclusive, is now available via YouTube.com!
This short film, produced by Producciones 7Filos and Directed by Carmina Valiente is eye-opening and a must-watch for those who love to travel, especially to Baja California, Mexico. The reality this video portrays is very similar to what is happening throughout Latin America. Watch it, share it, spread it!
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For more information on responsible ways of traveling to Latin America and beyond, visit the following links:
Journeys of Discovery for Tots Underway Daily in SF
This week, the children of the Conexiones Play School in San Francisco learned about “mountains” by climbing a few of the San Francisco hills. They reached the summit of the North peak of Twin Peaks last Wed. 2.2.11 and they reached the top of Bernal Hill on 2.3.11. The views were breathtaking and the children all want to climb even more mountains as soon as possible…
Finaliza con Éxito el Primer Festival de Cine Salvadoreño en San Francisco, California
Por: Manuel Arias
El teatro del Centro Cultural de la Misión para el Arte Latinoamericano (MCCLA) en San Francisco por sus siglas en ingles, lucio abarrotado el pasado 3, 4 y 5 de diciembre, por cientos de personas que atendieron el llamado a presenciar el Primer Festival de Cine Salvadoreño.
Por primera vez, la incipiente cinematografía salvadoreña ocupo una de las salas más importantes de esta Ciudad, para presentar 16 audiovisuales dirigidos por artistas visuales salvadoreños y producidos en su mayoría en el territorio Cuscatleco.
Durante dos años , el Colectivo Cultural Ana Gómez conformado por un grupo de salvadoreños amantes de su cultura, organizaron este primer festival, respaldado por la Coordinación de Cine y Audiovisuales de la Secretaria de Cultura del Gobierno de El Salvador y por el Centro Cultural de la Mision.
La muestra fue representativa según dijeron sus organizadores, puesto que estuvo compuesta por una variedad de temas, desde locales hasta universales, entre los locales podemos mencionar “La última ofensiva” de José Luis Sanz, “Entre los Muertos” de Jorge Dalton, “Cuentos de Cipotes” del Museo de la Palabra, “Colima” de Audiovisuales de la UCA entre otros.
El esfuerzo fue sumamente grande, “ya que durante dos años trabajamos voluntariamente en organizar la muestra, sacrificamos a nuestras familias, nuestros fines de semana, vacaciones etc, sin embargo lo hicimos con todo nuestro corazón y amor por nuestro país y nuestra cultura” Aseguro Dagoberto Argueta, miembro del Colectivo en mención.
José Luis Sanz, productor de la película “La Última Ofensiva” con la que se abrió la muestra cinematográfica y quien vino de El Salvador para formar parte del evento, aseguro que la mayoría de los cineastas salvadoreños se mostraron muy entusiasmado en participar, al tiempo que expreso sobre los grandes esfuerzos que estos hacen para producir sus historias y sobre todo en lograr que sus trabajos participen en festivales internacionales.
Sanz de de origen español pero que reside en El Salvador desde hace 12 anos, participo en varios cines fórum, en donde intercambio opiniones, ideas, información de producción de su película e inquietudes respecto a su propuesta, en la que analiza la trayectoria de la izquierda salvadoreña desde el conflicto armado hasta conseguir llegar a la poder ejecutivo en las elecciones del 2009.
Este director mantiene una postura bastante critica sobre el desempeño que el Presidente de la Republica Mauricio Funes y el partido Frente Farabundo Martí FMLN realizan en lo que va de su gestión, especialmente en aquellos problemas estructurales que les heredo el partido ARENA, quienes gobernaron el país por más de 20 anos. Los temores, las esperanzas y las expectativas de los salvadoreños y salvadoreñas es lo que recoge Sanz en su película en donde además plantea la eterna polarización entre la derecha y la izquierda, en la que el pueblo salvadoreño está inmerso.
Por otro lado, las películas fueron seleccionadas y adquiridas por la Coordinación de Cine y Audiovisuales de la Secretaria de Cultura, dirigida por el cineasta salvadoreño-cubano Jorge Dalton. El proceso tomo alrededor de un ano, incluyendo el envío de cada uno de ellas con sus respectivas fichas técnicas y demás información visual.
Estreno del Documental ¨Baja All-Exclusive¨ en La Paz, Mexico
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Support a Film that Brings Forth the Voices of Locals vis a vis Large Scale Tourism Developments in Baja California Sur, Mexico
To view the Trailer – Click Here
The film, Baja All Exclusive – The Other Face of Residential Tourism Developments in Baja California Sur is an important film that showcases the perspective of the laborers, fishing families and local residents of Baja California Sur in relation to the real estate and tourism boom their communities have been experiencing over the last few decades, especially around Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, Mexico.
It joins the growing voices of concern about the economic, social and environmental future of these ¨slices of paradise.¨ It raises important questions and perspectives that must be addressed in order to assure long-term peace and sustainability for this region. And at Conexiones, we are finding that the questions raised in Cabo San Lucas, are the same ones that are being raised in Cancún, Costa Rica, Río de Janeiro and other tourism ¨hot spots.¨*
Is mass tourism, and the influx of large resorts & international real estate investments sustainable avenues of economic development for Baja California Sur?
Foto by 7FilosProducciones
How are the local people being affected by the rapid changes occurring in their homeland as their communities receive a large influx of foreign visitors and international real estate investors?
How are the marine and coastal ecosystems holding up in the face of construction of new marinas and golf courses, an increased rate of sports fishing, and other tourism-related activities?
Baja All Exclusive, The Other Face of Residential Tourism Developments in Baja California Sur is an investigative documentary film by Carmina Valiente which attempts to answer these questions. It clearly exposes some of the ecological and social impacts of this type of projects in this area.
Although the economic development provided by the large influx of foreign real estate investors and tourists is significant to the local economy, upon deeper investigation, it is clear that the benefits have not been equal for everyone. The blue collar employment opportunities provided are cyclical and transitory, contributing to a migratory workforce. Meanwhile, the sedentary income-generating activities that have historically sustained the local people are increasingly threatened as local fishermen lose public access to the beaches and local ranchers lose their land to armed squatters hired by developers to invade desirable coastal lands.
On the ecological side of things, dozens of large-scale resort-residential developments are built over thousands of acres of coastline, and there is no statewide or region-wide plan or vision to assure that this massive growth is environmentally sustainable. The Gulf of California or The Sea of Cortez is known for being one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world and there is increasing concern over what the building of marinas and the massification of the tourism sector will do to these fragile ecosystems.
There is also a very important chapter in this film about the lack of natural resources available in this arid land to support a large number of visitors and new residents, especially when it comes to fresh water. Many Baja Californians lack access to potable water due to its scarcity, yet dozens of exclusive-use golf courses are continuously watered and many more are planned to be built in the next 5-10 years.
The developers and investors who build these huge residential-resort developments are able to receive a large return on their investment within a few years of building it and researchers have found that they then move on to the next ¨undiscovered¨ destination. They have no incentive to worry about what the long-term impacts of their actions will have on the society or ecology of the area. The ones that will end up holding the ball will be those who purchase the condos along with the local people. Thus, this film provides very important information to seasonal visitors to Baja California and particularly, for buyers of real estate, who are predominantly baby boomers and sailors from the U.S. purchasing seasonal homes next to the ocean.
7Filos Producciones, in partnership with Instituto Conexiones, has a fundraising goal of $7000 to finish production of the English version ($1750), and to recruit its U.S. publicity team & develop a solid diffusion strategy for U.S. demographic groups that should see this film ($5250).
There are many ways to support this work and get involved:
- CONTRIBUTE WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT TODAY!
- Donate your time and expertise, especially in the areas of marketing and communications.
- Come to our upcoming fundraising event in San Francisco at Nectar Lounge on Oct. 21, 2010
7Filos Producciones and Instituto Conexiones wish to follow up this film with a sequel that showcases positive case studies from throughout Latin America of how tourism and residential-resort developments can happen in a responsible and sustainable way, as there is no denying that it is a vital and important source of economic growth with much potential for sustainability if done with a triple bottom line economic model in place - we are especially looking for cases of foreigners and locals working and thriving together – equitably, peacefully and sustainably.
* See the film, Quebrando los Huevos de Oro, funded by the Center for Responsible Travel, which is a similar film about the impacts of foreign-controlled tourism developments on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Also, read their study, Impact of Tourism Related Development on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica – click here.
Related link of interest:
U.S. Retirement Trends in Mexico´s Coastal Communities
Residential Tourism: (De) Constructing Paradise by Mason R. McWatters
Brookings.edu: Education Nation: To be Globally Competitive, We Must be Globally Competent
From www.Brookings.edu
Education Nation: To be Globally Competitive, We Must be Globally Competent
Justin van Fleet and Rebecca Winthrop
September 29, 2010
This week, NBC News launched “Education Nation” in an attempt to engage the public in thoughtful dialogue about how to provide every American with the “best education in the world.” Rebecca Winthrop and Justin van Fleet argue that if the United States aspires to have a world-class education system, then we must educate young people to be global citizens. Global competency skills are necessary so that young people can invent a future that appropriately addresses global challenges.
To view the full page, Click Here
BROOKINGS
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036
» Visit the new Brookings.edu
San Francisco Green Drinks – Tuesday October 5th
From SF Green Drinks
San Francisco Green Drinks
October 5th
“Fall Forward Into Action”
Hello Green Drinkers!
Check out the Bay Area Green Calendar for local, green events!
Please join us next Tuesday, October 5th for San Francisco Green Drinks!
In a year of ups and downs in the struggle to protect our planet, we come into the Fall season with the need to fall forward. Fall is a season of change, of preparation, and a season to embrace what’s to come. Recently there has been a renewed commitment toward organizing and taking action around the planet’s environmental crisis. Those actions can include: going green, volunteering, making decisions about purchases and partnerships, education and sharing with others, living by example, and voting. With just weeks to go in a critical election, we are given another great opportunity to effect change. At this month’s Green Drinks we encourage you to discuss with others what’s environmentally important to you and what you are doing to take action this Fall.
October Sponsor: Earth Island Institute
Earth Island Institute established the Brower Youth Awards to honor founder and legendary activist David R. Brower. The Brower Youth Awards recognizes six young people in North America annually for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and environmental justice advocacy. The winners of the award receive a $3,000 cash prize, a trip to California for the award ceremony and wilderness camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute. Please join us in honoring six bold young environmental leaders on Tuesday October 19, 2010 at the historic Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, CA. VIP Tickets to the Opening Reception in the Green Room (5:30-7:15pm) are available here: eii.org/bya/VIPtix Reserve your spot today for the Free Awards Ceremony in the Herbst Theatre (7pm doors. 7:30-9pm ceremony). eii.org/bya/ceremonyregistration
October Partners: Herbs America and Bioneers
Herbs America works directly with botanists, tribal leaders, universities, and laboratories to cultivate and research traditional medicines which are found to be beneficial for both humans and the land. Our goal is to bring equitability to small farming operations in developing countries and support indigenous populations in their efforts of preserving culture and environment while at the same time supporting agrarian economies. See also our line Amazon Therapeutic Laboratories, which works for the preservation of rainforest and to uphold the intellectual property rights of native healers and their traditional medicines. www.herbs-america.com
Bioneers, a global nonprofit educational organization that highlights breakthrough solutions for restoring people and the planet, will hold its 21st annual conference at the Marin Center in San Rafael, California on October 15-17, 2010. The Bioneers Conference features experts and innovators in areas including conservation, climate change, food and farming, technology, and social justice, who work to solve the world’s most urgent social and environmental challenges. Speakers include Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace; Dr. James Hansen, head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies; and Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and CEO of Stonyfield Farm. From how mushrooms can save the world to how Google Earth is protecting tropical forests, the solutions that come from the Bioneers Conference are fostering positive change and building local communities. Register today! www.bioneers.org/conference
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, October 5th
Location: 111 Minna Gallery
Time: 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Bring: Please bring your green flyers, announcements, job postings, etc for the Community Board. And of course, bring your business cards!
Safety: Please be safe when coming to/from SFGD. If you would like someone to walk you to your bus/train stop or car, please let a greeter know. As always, please designate a driver if driving.
Cost: FREE!
ENTERTAINMENT
5:30 – 7:30pm
DJ Signe Bray (Caltech DJ Club) Crafting up smooth and delicious downtempo beats.
7:30 – 9:30pm
DJ Bodhi (Caltech DJ Club) Spinning glitchy downtempo, dub, house, and indie-dance.
DRINK SPECIALS BY HERBS AMERICA
Vitali-C – $7
Amazonian Camu Camu juice (world’s highest source Vitamin C) w/ immune and energy support herbs. Mixed with Peruvian Pisco.
Brain Juice – $7
Hawaiian Noni juice (exceptional antioxidant) w/ herbs promoting brain cognition and mental clarity. Mixed with Peruvian Pisco.
Community
* Post your green event on the Bay Area Green Calendar for free!
* SF Green Drinks is on LinkedIn. Connect with other environmental professionals.
* SF Green Drinks is on Facebook. Please join the group ‘San Francisco Green Drinks’ for additional resources and information.
* SF Green Drinks is booking out Sponsors and Community Partners for 2011. If you or someone you know is interested in connecting with our community, please get in touch!
See you on the 5th!
- The Green Drinks Team
Aaron, Bryan, Kailani, Lori and Missi
SPEAKING IN TONGUES on KQED | Sunday 9/26 at 6p.m.!
From PatchWorks Films
This film will be broadcasing at 6pm on KQED – San Francisco. Don´t miss it! |
About
Instituto Conexiones (aka Conexiones Institute) is an experiential education institute dedicated to advancing peaceful, prosperous, culturally vibrant and sustainable globalization for all. In an increasingly globalized, diverse and interconnected world, our curriculum offers current and future 
leaders real life experiences and support in developing their skills, tools, knowledge, and inner and outer resources to live sustainably with their natural resources and in abundant coexistence with each other, with a special focus on intercultural convivencia.
We produce educational experiences, publications, programs, and productions related to our mission. These include educational programs, films, media, events, workshops, performances, exhibits, field trips and more. Because we ascribe to Gardner´s Multiple Intelligences theory, we have a varied and exciting approach to facilitating learning related to our mission.
We also share and repost news & information that helps us understand why and how we must achieve sustainability, joy, and peace for all – such as the posts on the home page of this site. To submit relevant information for us to post, please email us.
Sustainable Business News from Triple Pundit- Should News Corp’s Anti-Climate Stance Impact its CSR Rating? January 27, 2012 CSRHUB
- Where Sustainability Reporting is Headed: A Preview of the E&Y and GreenBiz Survey January 27, 2012 Cindy Mehallow
- Coal-Fired Closures: More Plants Biting the Dust January 27, 2012 Bill DiBenedetto
- Is There a Better Way to Stop Global Warming? January 27, 2012 RP Siegel
- Why Biodiversity Loss Deserves as Much Attention as Climate Change January 27, 2012 Akhila Vijayaraghavan
- Education News from Brookings
- Stimulating Innovation on the Periphery January 27, 2012 Diana Villiers Negroponte
- An Analysis of President Obama's 2012 State of the Union Address January 24, 2012 William A. Galston
- North Carolina Seeks Its Next Generation of Workers January 19, 2012 Bruce Katz and Judith Rodin
- Targeting an Achievement Gap in One of the Country's Most Educated Metropolitan Areas January 19, 2012 Bruce Katz and Judith Rodin
- The Power of Circumstance: A New Approach to Measuring Education Inequality January 11, 2012 Kevin Watkins
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