Economy&Trends

Presentando el libro Smart Cities en Santander, Gijón y Barcelona.

En 2011, cansados de escuchar la palabra crisis decidimos pensar out of the box, y concebir un proyecto que ayudase a situar a ciudades y empresas españolas en los foros más relevantes de discusión sobre el futuro y el crecimiento sostenible. El proyecto se materializa eligiendo un tema: smart cities, y la comparación de más de ocho ciudades de tres continentes en las que están incluídas tres ciudades españolas: Málaga, Tarragona y Santander. Este trabajo en equipo, con el patrocinio del Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Comunicación, y de Accenture España en alguna de sus fases, se ha presentado en los foros más relevantes del mundo en planificación urbana, política local e innovación administrativa en Baltimore y Tweente (Holanda) en 2013, en Varsovia, Lisboa y Shaghái (Fudan) en 2015 y en Tarragona, Qatar y Lisboa en 2016.

La semana entrante presento los resultados de este trabajo en forma de libro, escrito en castellano en:
Santander,
Lunes 20, a partir de las 9:30 de la mañana, con ocasión de la Jornada Futuro en Español, de Vocento, en colaboración con CAF (banco de Desarrollo Latinoamérica y Caribe), que se celebra en día 20 de junio en Santander en el diálogo (diálogo programado a las 13 horas) que seguirá a la ponencia titulada Modelos de innovación en ciudades inteligentes e inclusivas, a cargo de Alfonso Vegara.
Hotel Bahía de Santander, C/ Alfonso XII. Tlf: +34 902 57 06 27

Gijón,
Martes 22, a partir de las 9:30 de la mañana, en Hotel Abba Playa Gijón, Po Doctor Fleming, 37, Tlf. 985 00 00 00. Participo en el diálogo (diálogo programado a las 13 horas) a continuación de la conferencia impartida por Guillermo Peñalosa, titulada ‘Creando ciudades exitosas y saludables para todos’. El señor Peñalosa es experto desarrollo urbano y presidente de Ciudades 8 80.

Barcelona,
Miércoles 23, en Foment del Treball. Via Laietana, 32, principal. 12:30 horas. Inscripción

Se trata de un libro de divulgación, muy interesante para alcaldes y gestores públicos, así como para activistas urbanos interesados en modelos participativos de la sociedad y las empresas en planes de ciudades inteligentes. Si has recibido un enlace invitándote, es porque me encantaría contar con tu presencia y la de personas que pienses podrían estar interesadas. Confirma conmigo los lugares de celebración en Santander y Gijón antes de desplazarte. Un saludo muy cordial!

Olga Gil Foment del Treball Smart Cities

Olga Gil Foment del Treball Smart Cities

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Posted in comparative research, Diferenciación, Economy&Trends, Gobierno3.0, Innovación, Internet of Things, Local Government, Politica Comparada, Redes, Smart Cities, Sustainabiity, Trends, trips No Comments »

The miracle of Irene Natividad: Global Summit of Women, Warsawa 2016

I attend this week the Global Summit of Women 2016, in Warsawa, Poland. Once again this event is energizing, full of amazing women, generous to share their knowledge, and experience with other women, and the brave men, many CEOs, attending the conference. Numbers of women attending add up to three ceros, over one thousand from 73 countries from all over the world. I spread the word of my new released book on smart cities, may collaborative work with COIT in Spain and of Camilo José Cela University.
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The miracle of Irene Natividad and Margarita de Cos

Global Summit of Women is a miracle, made up each year by @INatividad and @GlobeWomen. Irene is an truly amazing and strong woman I first meet some years ago, back in Madrid. Then she headed the first opening of the Madrid Stock Exchange ever made by women. Thrilling, yes, as she is. Margarita de Cos is the head of the Spanish delegation @GlobeWomen, and a great leader and model of all of us.

Global Summit of Women 2016 Warsawa Dr. Olga Gil

Asia, as part of Eurasia

During the summit I am having great opportunities to build up ties with China and Japan, countries that interest me a lot. From China, I meet Cyindy Cheng Yang, CSO from Focus Media, and Lu Dai, News Director and Union President from Shanghai Oriented Webcasting. I learned a lot from Huang Wenlin wisdom, chief of the China Association of Women Eterpreneurs. I really enjoyied talking at the table together with impresive chinese business women Jayjun, Sunny, and Ayilaile.

From Japan

From Japan, I have meet Hijiri, Kiyoka, Keiko -from Deloitte- Machiko, Mahoko, Minori, Naoko, Reiko, Yuyiko Tanaka, from the Japan Women Ingeneers Forum and I.N.O. corporation. and I stablished great contacts with a university and a bussiness school. Both institutions are interested on my work on smart cities and to stablish ties with UCJC university in Madrid.

Global Summit of Women 2016 Warsawa Dr. Olga Gil

Global Summit of Women 2016 Warsawa Dr. Olga Gil


Testing the ground for the new and very innovative academic programms at Universidad UCJC

At the Global Summmit I have been testing the ground for the new and very innovative academic programms at Universidad UCJC.

Think, Create, Discover and Communicate. Future is here.
A unique bilingual summer program (Spanish/English) in Madrid, at Camilo José Cela University.

This is pre-university Humanities, Science and Technology course, designed for a generation facing a world immersed in a process of drastic changes -16-18 year-olds. The pre-university course is held in campus and living at the university residences, in Madrid outskirts, from June 29th to July 13th.

For this course we have seek *very* motivated young people interested on:
– How emerging technology affects our fundamental experience of humanity.
– How information online compilation systems are changing radically our concept of privacy.
– The radical changes on classical concepts of communications, progress, war, culture, politics, work and knowledge taken place today.
– New technology is creating new humans and new ways of communicating.
– These new humans will be, at the same time, the developers of new discoveries in science and drivers behind the development of new technology.

Why this course? And how our university differenciates from others!

Generations born in an entirely digital environment have to decide where they will take communications, robotics, environmental research or the exploration of outer space. Today´s youth will define progress in communications technology and what are the priorities of human kind: men reaching Mars, developing apps, the creation of a robot as -a dream of science fiction for decades and alquimia for centuries.

Based on the cross-cutting nature of knowledge today and its impact shaping the future, this two week summer programm “Humanities, Science and Technology: Think, Create, Discover”, allows students to:
– ´Tackle different aspects of what will be their world with a strong base on communications, interpersonal, and Media communications.
– Learn from the major conceptual changes facing their generation.
– Develop skills related to technology and creativity in a practical and fun way.
– Visit firms, with industry professionals to get to know the most innovative initiatives that blend Humanities, Science, Technology and Communications,
– Develop a rich network based in Madrid, open also to opportunities to practice Spanish lenguage while starting over contacts with Madrid as focal point of reference for Latin America and the whole Hispanic world.

The course will is complemented with cultural and sporting activities in campus at Camilo José Cela University in Villafranca del Castillo. I particularly love the horse riding club.

Humanities, Science, Technology & Communications summer course gives pre- university students, age 16-18 year old, a great opportunity to acquire the tools and skills that will set students apart from their entire generation.

Just in case you are interested in the Humanities, Science, Technology & Communications summer course, I leave you the name of the contact persons below.

Meeting brave enterpreneurs and social enterpreneurs from America and Spain

Impresionada por el trabajo que desarrollan Elsa Andrés en Justisen, Lola Elejalde en InnoBasque, Rita Gasalla en Gälow, Gema Cernuda en Ellas Deciden y @Peixco, Carlota Lorenzana en Muralto.es, -and great restaurants for women visiting Madrid for business purposes!- Merce Ribera en Atrevia, Maruxa Sanmartín en Grupo Maviva, Erika Vallespin en ATKearney. Agradable y acogedora la Embajada de España @EmbEspPolonia el día de nuestra llegada a Varsovia, con un cocktail de bienvenida capitaneado por su Excelencia el Embajador Agustín Nuñez, arropado por Isabel Martín, Consejera de Turismo y Carmen Batres, Consejera de Información y Prensa, entre otros.​ En España, una delegación de lujo, a pesar de que de nuevo en esta edición, faltan ministras que arropen a la delegación, a diferencia de Francia, donde si ha habido una Ministro arropando a la delegación francesa.

El mundo hispano

Entre nuestras hermanas de América Latina y el mundo hispano, Maricruz Cochamanidis, de Kuljis Cochamanidis Group en Bolivia, Marianne Hontiveros (Filipinas), Patricia Espinosa, Nora Villafuerte y Yasmin Darwich President of BPW International and based in Coahuila (México).

From France

Just to name very few: Isabelle Roux-Chenu from Capgemini and the young Pauline Chanvin and Louise Moulié, from Politiqu´elles, a French non-profit organization working towards women empowerment at politiquelles.org.

From Switzerland, a country I am very interesten in because it has a long tradition of work on local government, democracy and networks: Martha Uribe, from Nestle, Arancha González -SheTrades programm- and Vanessa Erogbodbo -women and trade program-, from International Trade Center, United Nations, at Geneva.

From The United States of America, Claudia Freed, CEO of EalGreen and leveraging the circular economy and empowering access to leaning at Elgreen.org

Olga Gil, Dr Olga Gil Warsawa Global Summit 2016

Last but not least, I am having great opportunities to meet with mayors and enterpreneurs concerned with the future of cities, such as the Honorable Mayor of Warsaw -three terms Mayor! and teacher- Hanna Gronkiewick-Waltz, and discuss about comparative public policies in cities across the world.

Thank you all for your time and generosity! Comments are open for any new insight!


Humanities, Science, Technology & Communications summer course. Contact persons:

Mª Victoria García: mvgarcia at ucjc dot edu
Mar Calzadilla: mar dot calzadilla at sek dot es

Address:
Address: Urb. Villafranca del Castillo, Calle Castillo de Alarcón, 49, 28692 Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid
Phone: +34 918 15 31 31

​website: http://www.ucjc.edu/estudios-universitarios/cursos-de-verano/humanities-sciencies-and-technology-hst

Posted in Art and Building New Society, Branding, Economy&Trends, Education for the Future, Local Government, Olga Gil, Smart Cities, Sustainabiity, Tech & Contents, Trends, Uncategorized, Viajes, Women&Men public sphere No Comments »

Con la mirada puesta en un 2016 prometedor

Queridos amigos y lectores, en esta entrada de blog voy a contaros cómo el otoño 2015 ha resultado una base interesante para un 2016 prometedor. Os hablaré para empezar, de un nuevo libro que publico en Enero con dos coautores, Julio Navío y Maider Pérez de Heredia, dedicado a ciudades inteligentes. También os hablaré de la participación en el curso online masivo abierto, “Profesionales e-competentes: claves, estrategias y herramientas para innovar en red.” Os contaré que he participado en la formación del equipo de gobierno del presidente de Angola en Luanda invitada por CIGMAP. Además, participo de la mano de un grupo de investigadores especialistas en estudios de política local en la iniciativa de creación del primer instituto especializado en estudios del ámbito local en Europa, con intención de que abarque también especialistas y red de otros continentes. A lo largo del año, además he presentado junto a mis colaboradores los resultados de nuestras investigaciones sobre ciudades inteligentes en Lisboa, Shanghai y Varsovia. También he comenzado a colaborar en una revista editada por un grupo de jóvenes emprendedores: Vladivostok Magazine. En cuanto a novedades académicas, este semestre me he estrenado impartiendo ciberperiodismo, Internet, redes sociales y política3.0. Un otoño apasionante del que os dejo resúmenes, imágenes y un video a continuación.

151211 Foto Libro como se gobiernan las ciudades

El libro sobre ciudades inteligentes

Por un lado espero la presentación a comienzos de año del libro que he escrito con mi equipo especializado en ciudades inteligentes: Julio Navío y Maider Pérez de Heredia. En el libro nos planteamos un tema esencial para los próximos años: la transformación digital de las ciudades. Lo hacemos analizando las bases de los proyectos denominados smart city en ocho entornos de tres continentes distintos: Shanghai, Iskandar, ciudades en Japón, Nueva York, Málaga, Santander y Tarragona. Os avanzo la portada que ha elegido la editorial Silva, sobre una base diseñada por Paisaje Transversal, y que creo es todo un acierto. Este libro ha sido posible gracias al apoyo económico del Colegio de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación y también de Accenture en años pasados. A ambos, muchas gracias por haber creído en la investigación ambiciosa que les proponíamos y haber financiado alguna de las fases, respetando en todos los momentos nuestra independencia científica.

Captura de pantalla 2015-12-14 a las 0.10.42

Profesionales e-competentes, !apúntate!

El curso online masivo abierto, “Profesionales e-competentes: claves, estrategias y herramientas para innovar en red” está dirigido por María Sánchez, con el respaldo de la Universidad de Málaga y la Universidad Nova de Lisboa. Este curso se pondrá en marcha en marzo o abril de 2016. Ya hemos grabado los videos de todos bloques de estudio, y os recomiendo que os apuntéis. La preinscripción podéis hacerla en este enlace. Me voy a permitir avanzaros un video de prueba sobre el que estamos trabajando. Es un video que he grabado con el apoyo y el magnífico equipo técnico de Medialab en la Universidad Camilo José Cela, donde imparto Ciberperiodismo este otoño a un grupo estupendo de estudiantes que se gradúan en breve. Gracias Juana Abantos, Pedro y Alvaro por vuestro magnífico trabajo técnico.




Formando a equipos de gobierno de países emergentes: Angola

El Rector de la UCJC, El Director de CIGMAP y el Secretario General de GRESIMA (Gobierno de Angola)
Os contaré que he participado en la formación del equipo de gobierno del presidente de Angola en Luanda invitada por Jorge Santiago, Director de CIGMAP. Os invito a leer la entrada de blog que publiqué con ocasión de este interesantísimo curso, en el que aprendimos tanto los estudiantes como la profesora. Y como guinda os dejo unas fotos de la graduación de mis estudiantes angoleños en la Universidad Camilo José Cela, en el Campus de Villafranca, en Madrid.

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Contribuyendo a la creación de redes de dimensión global

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También participo por invitación del profesor Colin Copus, al que conocí en Varsovia presentando la investigación sobre ciudades inteligentes, y junto a un nutrido grupo de investigadores especialistas en estudios de política local en la iniciativa de creación del primer instituto especializado en estudios del ámbito local en Europa –con intención de que abarque también especialistas y red de otros continentes. La primera reunión en la Universidad The Montfort me ha permitido pisar de nuevo Londres y conocer la ciudad de Leicester. El grupo de investigadores sobre política, economía y otras disciplinas centradas en el ámbito local es de primera división. ¿Que se siente cuando nos invitan a jugar la Champions? Gratitud hacia aquellos que loo han hecho posible. Muchas gracias Carlos, muchas gracias Colin.

Presentando en el mundo casos de ciudades españolas con visión de futuro: smart cities en perspectiva comparada

A lo largo del año, además he presentado junto a mis colaboradores los resultados de nuestras investigaciones sobre ciudades inteligentes en Lisboa, Shanghai y Varsovia. Os invito a que veáis detalles si estáis interesados en esta entrada de blog.

Colaboraciones en prensa

También he comenzado a colaborar en una revista editada por un grupo de jóvenes emprendedores: Vladivostok Magazine… porque me interesa lo que piensan y escriben los jóvenes y que la generación con nuevas ideas pueda conocer las mías !Os recomiendo VladivostokMAG! Gracias a mi amiga Leticia por tener la amabilidad de ponernos en contacto.

Captura de pantalla 2015-12-20 a las 21.19.26

Mis deseos para 2016 … consolidar proyectos y los vínculos institucionales enriquecedores establecidos, sobre los que os he contado en esta entrada de blog. Y actualizar mis sitios web. Y para vosotros, mis deseos son mucha salud y prosperidad en 2016, y que vuestros sueños se hagan realidad.

Posted in Branding, e-government, Economy&Trends, Education for the Future, Gobierno3.0, Innovación, Olga Gil, Redes, Smart Cities, Trends, trips No Comments »

La innovación oculta en las ciudades inteligentes

Soy miembro del claustro de profesores del programa Akademia de la Fundación Bankinter, que tiene como objetivo despertar y fomentar la actitud innovadora entre jóvenes universitarios, motivando a sus participantes a asumir el reto que supone un entorno en constante cambio. Dentro de mi labor sin ánimo de lucro en Akademia, comparto esta presentación fruto del trabajo conjunto con estudiantes brillantes de la Universidad del País Vasco en Bilbao en Febrero de 2015. Una de las participantes nos planteó una cuestión que aun nos mantiene atentos, pensando: la innovación oculta en las ciudades inteligentes. Sin duda, una forma de acercarse a la inteligencia en las ciudades que no habíamos abordado. Los comentarios son bienvenidos!

Posted in Branding, Economy&Trends, Innovación, Smart Cities, Trends 1 Comment »

Issues on international political analysis

For several weeks I will be directing a course on international political analysis. If I had to name the course with just a word, I would chose development. Why do I consider that development is crucial today? First of all, because the division between developed and developing countries is of little use nowadays. And secondly, because development is a challenge today as big for the western world -facing a strong crisis of underlying values, liquidity and finance- as for the emerged world, facing challenges of institutional building and sustainability.

Development was in fact the focus of the Master of Arts I got at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994 and the focus of my thesis on Brazil.

Today we are at what western economists name as crossroads. However, from an analysis based on a long term perspective, we are entering a very interesting time in history, one in which developing countries are no longer detached from the so called developed world.

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We will be using “Global Turning Points: Understanding the Challeges of Business in the 21rst Century” by Mauro Guillén and Emilio Ontiveros as a reference text. In each session, we will be departing from an introduction, and then we will be working on complementary materials and references.

Introduction

Por favor, preparen respuesta a estas preguntas que el Dr. Manuel Castells cubre en su discurso. Intenten contestar en tres lineas máximo a cada una de las preguntas, ocupando como máximo una página. Traiga la página impresa con su nombre para discusion y para evaluación por la profesora.

1. Cual es el rol que juega el Estado, de forma comparada, según Castells? Cita ejemplos?
2. Como define Castells el poder?
3. Cómo define Castells la globalizacion? Tienen cabida las políticas publicas?
4. Es la globalizacion como la conocemos una elección, según castells?
5. Que quiere decir Castells con el concepto de t mass self communication?
6. Cómo se explicaría el concepto de swinching power usado por Castells? Qué aplicación tiene en aspectos de políticas públicas comparadas?
7. Cómo explica Manuel Castells la creación de comunidades en la sociedad segun el Pr. Castells?
8. Qué significa para Castells el concepto de fatigue democracy?
9. Tras escuchar el discurso, cómo podrían explicarse las políticas públicas orientadas a abordar las crisis a nivel mundial?
10. Cúal es su tema de investigación? Qué puede incorporar del marco de Castells a su investigación?

Adiconalmente, están invitados a dejar comentarios sobre el video así como sobre el 14M, en su relacion con el Estado, las políticas públicas y el desarrollo.

Posted in Cambio Global, Economy&Trends, Education for the Future, Politica Comparada, Trends No Comments »

Manuel Castells Holberg Lecture on Power, State, Development, Freedom and Democracy.

In 14th November a nation wide strike has been called upon in Spain. We are dropping the meetings with firms that we had that day in the capital, Madrid, and preparing alternative classes to cover our due work with students.

For student purposes, we will be working on the programm as usual, tapping into issues having to do with State, develpement and democracy.. We will also cover issues having to do with power and freedom -as related to development. We will do so by listening to this video where sociologist and political economist Manuel Castells covers these issues when receiving what is know as the Nobel prize for the humanities: the Holberg Prize 2012. This is the video, and following it, you might find the questions we will be addressing:

Please prepare answers to these questions, addressed by Manuel Castells in his speech. Try to answer in three lines maximum each of the questions –maximun one printed page. Bring the page to the next class for discussion and to hand out to the professor:

1. What role does the State play, according to Castells?
2. How does Castells defines power?
3. How do Castells defines globalization?
4. Is globalization as we know it a choice, according to professor Castells perspective?
5. What does Castells means by the concept mass self communication?
6. How do you explain the concept of swinching power used by Castells?
7. Are social movements free under Manuel Castells view and why?
8. How are communities created in society according to Pr. Castells?
9. How many current crisis idetifies Castells? Please, name them.
10. What is the level of trust in governemnts, political parties and politicians in countries nowadays, according to Castells? Does he names any exception?
11. What does fatigue democracy means for Pr. Castells?
12. How would you explain the public policies aimed at facing the crisis worldwide?
13. What is your subject fo research and what may you apply from Castells approach to your particular research? Any insight?

You are kindly invited to leave comments here on the video, the 14M strike, power and the State, and links to intersting materials related to all these themes in a civilized manner.

Posted in Art and Building New Society, Economy&Trends, Education for the Future, Politica Comparada, Sustainabiity, Trends No Comments »

Elecciones presidenciales en los Estados Unidos 2012

Desde el 21 de octubre de 2012 tendré la oportunidad de vivir en directo las elecciones presidenciales de los Estados Unidos. La oportunidad me la brinda @USembassymadrid Creo que mi trabajo siete años como voluntaria en la Asociación de ex-becarios Fulbright, como parte de la Junta y de algunas Comisiones ha sevido para que me conozcan y para que decidan invitarme. Viajo a Washington con cuatro talentos, algunos de ellos jóvenes políticos: Juan Manuel y Luis. En la Embajada estamos coordinados por @aslevia que se ha encargado de que la organización hasta la fecha sea impecable.

El programa, que puede estar sujeto a algún cambio, es muy ambicioso. Vamos a vivir la semana inténsamente. Incluye encuentros con especialistas, con políticos, jóvenes políticos voluntarios, organizaciones no gubernamentales especializadas en activar a la sociedad civil… y vamos a ver a Obama en un mítin en Tampa!

Estados Unidos desde estos últimos puntos de vista es algo insólito para una española.

Os dejo la agenda completa al pie, y si estais interesados que centre mis reportajes en alguna parte específica, dejadme vuestras sugerencias en los comentarios ¿Algúna curiosidad o interés especial?

Siete días en Washinton y Florida (Tampa):

I. Washington, D.C. (Sunday, October 21 – Wednesday, October 24, 2012)
Theme: Introduction to 2012 U.S. Presidential Election. The Media, The Global Economy, and the Elections. Monday, October, 22 – Wednesday, October 24

Federalism Overview/Overview of U.S. Presidential Election Process (with emphasis on understanding the Electoral College) – Professor Jeremy Mayer of George Mason University will be invited to provide the participants with an overview of federalism, the United State federal government structure, separation of powers, and political processes. The discussion will also include the relationship between the federal government and the states.

The Economist – In a meeting with an editor or journalist from The Economist participants will have an opportunity to discuss multiple topics including the publications coverage of global economic challenges focusing on the United States and Europe, how these challenges are impacting the 2012 Presidential election, and the role of the media in general in covering important issues during the election. The meeting will be requested with Mr. Edward McBride, Washington Bureau Chief or Mr. David Rennie, Lexington Columnist. This video, prepared by AFP and published by The Economist overviews these issues.

New Organizing Institute (NOI) – Mr. Carlos Odio, Director of Special Projects at NOI, or one of his colleagues will be asked to invite some of his colleagues to meet with the group to discuss the role of citizens as organizers and agents of change and how they can and do impact elections, including the tools that NOI supplies to do help them do so. He will also be asked to focus on the increased use of social media as a tool for community organizing during elections as well as the role of youth during the election season, and reaching out to the Hispanic voters in the 2012 election. NOI is a community of organizers committed to solving the biggest challenges that stand in the way of change. Their basic belief is that if people have the skills to engage others, the tools to build powerful campaigns, and a community of practice to help them learn and grow, they can win real change, make measurable improvements in people’s lives, and restore faith in the government and democracy. They train organizers to build and manage effective movements by integrating tried-and-true community organizing, cutting-edge digital strategy, and data-driven decision making. They provide free access to revolutionary tools, technologies, and research to help campaigns reach the next level, and build a community of practice that connects organizers across issues, creating a more integrated, more diverse, and more dynamic movement for change.

Georgetown University – To engage with young political leaders and observe the enthusiasm on a major U.S. college campus in the nation’s capital, participants will spend time at Georgetown University where representatives of the College Republicans and the College Democrats will dialogue with them about their efforts to support their respective parties, and how they are encouraging the youth vote and participation in the political process. This is an excellent opportunity for us to discuss the uses of social media in elections, what issues are of most concern to young voters, and volunteerism and political activism among young voters in the United States. Finally, for an academic perspective on the elections, faculty representatives who work with the College Republicans and the College Democrats will be asked to join the discussions at some point.

Alexandria Democratic Committee – This committee will be requested to assist with arrangements for a visit to the Obama for Re-Election Campaign Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. This will include discussions with key campaign staff available, to discuss the operations of the campaign as well as issues such as media relations for the campaign, volunteerism in the campaign, the use of social media, outreach to targeted populations, and other relevant topics. We will request a brief discussion with the Vice Chair for Communications, Mr. Elvis Cordova, or another key member of the campaign staff.

Alexandria Republic City Committee – to assist with arrangements for a visit to the Romney for President Campaign Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. This will include discussions with key campaign staff available, to discuss the operations of the campaign as well as issues such as media relations for the campaign, volunteerism in the campaign, the use of social media, outreach to targeted populations, and other relevant topics. We will request a brief discussion with Ms. Anne LeHuray, Chair of the Outreach Committee.

Wednesday, October 24
II. Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Florida (Wednesday, October 24 – Sunday, October 28, 2012)

Theme: Elections Process and Issues in a battleground State
Many people would argue that the road to the White House runs through Florida, which happens to be the largest swing state in the country. For example, with the exception of the 1960 and 1992 races, ever since 1928 the winner of Florida won the White House. With 11.2 million registered voters and 29 electoral votes this November, whichever candidate wins Florida has an easier path to victory. Therefore, a program focused on the U.S. elections will be greatly enhanced by a visit to this important swing state. For this reason, we will spend several days in the state, and particularly in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Florida area. For Spaniards Tampa has a special meaning, since it was a embarquement point for the American troops departing for the Cuban War in the XIX century.

In Florida we will focus on the themes above, in meetings and discussions with the following (or similar) list of resources:

B. Thursday, October 25 – Friday, October 26

Honorable E.J. Salcines
, Senior Judge, District Court of Appeal, Second District – In this discussion the participants will receive an overview of the election process in the State of Florida and have a candid discussion about the state’s role in the overall U.S. political system. This will include a review of the 2000 Presidential election in Florida, the results of which were well publicized across the world and which created numerous debates around the election system in the United States. Besides his duties as a Senior Judge, he is also an adjunct professor of law at Stetson University College of Law.

He lectures in Spanish on American law and the American court system in Spanish-speaking countries. In 2008 he received the “Champion of Justice Award” from the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association, and the “Good Government Award” was presented to him by the Board of County Commissioners from Hillsborough County who annually awards the “E. J. Salcines Lifetime Leadership Award” to outstanding leaders in the community. He is also a member of the Knight of the Royal Order of Queen Isabella, Spain and Former Honorary Vice Consul of Spain for the Central West Coast of Florida.

Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office – To help participants better understand the technical aspects of the U.S. election system, and specifically the process of voting, collecting, and tallying votes, a meeting with the County Supervisor of Elections Office will be arranged.

Former Governor Charlie Christ – To provide a unique perspective on the U.S. Presidential election, as well as the role of local and state elections and how they impact and are impacted by the Presidential elections, Governor Christ will be requested to meet with the participants. Governor Christ was also a U.S. Senate candidate and recently spoke at the Democratic National Convention, and has over 25 years of political experience which he will be able to share with the participants to help them gain a better grasp on the complex U.S. political and election systems.

Florida Campaign Headquarters of Romney for President
– Here, participants will have an opportunity to speak with key campaign staff and local volunteers about the organization of the state’s efforts to elect Governor Mitt Romney as President of the United States. This will include discussions on organizing techniques, the role of social media in the campaign, outreach to rural areas, volunteer mobilization, and some of the key differences between Governor Romney’s plan and that of President Obama.

Tampa Campaign Office for Obama for America
– Participants will also visit the Tampa Campaign Headquarters of the reelection campaign for President Barack Obama –see their work in Facebook. Similar to their visit to the Romney for President headquarters, there time at the Obama campaign office will include discussions with key campaign staff and local volunteers on organizing techniques, the role of social media in the campaign, outreach to rural areas, volunteer mobilization, and some of the key differences between President Obama’s and Governor Romney’s visions for the United States of America.

Mr. Peter Schorsch, Professional Blogger – In this meeting, participants will be able to discuss the role of bloggers and other media professionals in informing the public on the elections and raising key issues that are of concern to the public. Mr. Schorsch will also invite some of his fellow bloggers to join the discussion to provide multiple perspectives. Mr. Schorsch is President, Extensive Enterprises Online, LLC and Executive Editor, stpetersblog.com. Mr. Schorsch launched a private firm to provide clients with a success-oriented, diverse team of artistic, media and government affairs experts. He offers expertise on complex issues for clients facing challenges on a variety of governmental and public affairs levels. As his firm’s principal, his responsibilities include client development and servicing, creative direction and internal operations. Mr. Schorsch’s firm specializes in the conception and execution of strategies involving direct mail, collaterals and online media.

Ms. Amy Rettig, the Nielsen Company – Ms. Rettig or one of her colleagues will be asked to discuss the 21012 election’s media measurements in the online and digital age. A tour of the Nielsen campus will also be included. The Nielsen Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence, mobile measurement, trade shows and business publications (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek).

Saturday, October 27

Opportunity to attend a local campaign rally in the community or on one of the local college campuses.

Excitante ¿verdad?
Pues sigue nuestras huellas en @olgag y a través de www.TicWisdom.es!!!

Se me ocurre que me encantaría haber llevado de fotógrafo acompañándome a @victorianoi ¿porqué? qué fotos hace este jóven estudiante de UC3M!. Me voy a guardar la idea para la proxima oportunidad que surja. Tal vez si lo sugiero hasta me dan un sí. Por el momento, invitados especiales son mis alumnos en las universidades Autónoma de Madrid y Carlos III, a quienes dedico el viaje y a quienes invito a estar en contacto a través de la web.

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