Instituto
Henry George ...
Managua, Nicaragua
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Instituto
Henry George ... |
26th
and 27th CE Economics Courses Graduate
CE
Graduate-Volunteers Participate in IHG
IHG
Video Documentary Advances, then Stalls
IHG New Year's Resolution: Purchase
Permanent Facility
26th and 27th
CE Economics Courses Graduate
Managua, Diciembre 29, 2004
The Instituto Henry George's 26th and 27th intensive "Comprender la Economía" political economy courses graduated 36 students on November 3rd and 22 students on December 15th, respectively, to finish the year's seven courses with a total result of 409 registered students of which 240 graduated.
Over the last three years the CE course has graduated an average of 58% of total student participants. The IHG CE certificate represents a significant demonstration of discipline and competence of the graduate. 42% do not graduate because the CE course is very demanding in that it requires complete and punctual attendance, and there are six homework tests that must be handed in on time, as well as the final thesis.
Seven CE courses are scheduled for 2005. . . Click here for complete "Comprender La Economía" Course Statistics, 2000-2004.
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CE Graduate-Volunteers Participate in IHG
Managua, Diciembre 29, 2004
Beyond exposing thousands of Nicaraguans to the IHG's basic information, and registering and graduating hundreds from the "Comprender la Economía" Course, the participatory education process of the IHG program goes beyond the basic course experience with various forms of voluntary participation.
At the end of every CE course, the IHG invites class participants to sign the IHG Demonstrative Petition which expresses the student's support for the Georgist remedy and their desire for a Government study into the feasibility of the single IVT for application in Nicaragua. Since the beginning of the petition in 2000, more than 840 CE participants have signed. This represents more than 80% of all course graduates.
CE Graduates who earn the Superior level CE Certificate are invited to participate in volunteer activities of the IHG which include twice weekly "Maestría" training meetings, and ongoing volunteer work with the IHG. Throughout 2004, more than 80 qualified CE graduates participated in 90 Maestría meetings (total attendance 580), and 28 volunteered their time and effort on various IHG projects.
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IHG
Video Documentary Advances, then Stalls
Managua, Octubre 2004
The IHG is currently in the process of producing its first documentary style video which is being written produced, directed, filmed and edited by IHG volunteers. From September to November, the project has advance with a full outline composed by the IHG staff and hours of basic footage recorded by video savvy volunteer Alex Mignolo. Unfortunately, the $1,400 video camera used by the IHG developed a malfunction which stalled any further work. After a couple of weeks fruitlessly searching for reliable repair service in Nicaragua, the IHG Fed-exed the camera to the USA for repair ($70). Experts declared that the camera would need a minimum of $200 of work done (but finding a repair service is not easy in the USA either), so the IHG decided to buy a slightly used newer camera of the same make and model which was available for only $350, and have it shipped back to Nicaragua for $20. The Nicaraguan ignored the declaration of value and after opening the box decided that that the camera was worth $450 and charged the IHG $55 in import duties. (Total cost of a tweaked recording head in the 3rd World: $495.) Unfortunately, by the time the camera had returned to Nicaragua and had cleared customs, the volunteer Alex had returned to the USA. So, now the IHG needs to find another video producer/director to finish the project. (Many thanks to Alex for his instumental help with the first phase of this project.) Capable bi-lingual international volunteers interested in directing the next phase of this project should click here. Or, if you are interested in financially supporting the IHG documentary project, click here.
Volunteer Alex Mignolo films an
interview for the IHG Documentary.
IHG
New Year's Resolution: Purchase Permanent Facility
Managua, Diciembre 29, 2004
The IHG will be spending the new year searching for an appropriate property in Managua to expand the IHG into larger more influencial "Centro Internacional de Estudios Georgistas" (International Center for Georgist Studies) capable of hosting its own CE course and workshops. The CIEG will incorporate an NSS Spanish language school (part of the chain owned by the IHG Director) to make the Center mostly self-funding and integrate an international student body into its educational activities. Workshops and mini-courses related to the application of Natural Law (Georgist) principles in business, organizational development, and personal development will also be offered to attract a wider public participation.
The major obstacle to the project is the fact that real estate prices in the Nicaraguan capital have continued to rise speculatively. It is interesting to note that Nicaragua has the land mass of the state of New York and the population of New York City; more than half the population live in the Capital and the entire population could comfortably fit into one of the twelve "Departments" which comprise this country. Nevertheless, because all the habitable land is totally monopolized as private property, the majority live shoulder to shoulder in claustrophobic barrios, and land prices are prohibitively expensive for the average producer.
The average value of property rises
steadily in Managua while
income from labor and capital remains at the level of subsistence
See more graphs: Managua Real Estate Price Survey, 1990-2004
The IHG hopes to encounter a real estate bargain in a location of the capital accessible to the majority of the population who rely on the bus system. That means a $35K-$45k vacant lot, or a $60k-$80k lot with a workable building. Interested supporters can help the IHG realize this vision with a financial donation.
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