Patricia Araque

Asking for an International Girl’s Day (English version)

Alma está a punto de llegar. No tengo ni idea de como voy a explicarle a mi hija este mundo enfermo que nos ha tocado vivir a todas y a todos. Supongo que me limitaré a demostrarle que otra realidad es posible. Será más fácil para mí… y me dará menos vergüenza.

Por ser niña, Alma se enfrentará a un mundo lleno de oportunidades. Un techo cálido y un hogar en el que la discriminación de género es entendida como algo que YA debería formar parte del pasado, le están esperando. Por ser niña, nunca tendrá que vivir en primera persona lo que implica una relación de semiesclavitud con otro ser humano. Tendrá acceso a servicios de salud de calidad, a una educación que haga que sus alas puedan desplegarse todo lo posible y a la tecnología que le permita convertirse en el ser humano que desee ser.

Pero no todas las almas que hagan su aparición en el mundo al mismo tiempo que ella correrán la misma suerte si no hacemos algo: PLAN alerta que más de 30 millones de niñas viven en una situación crítica alrededor del mundo. El informe “Por ser niñas 2010” busca atajar la discriminación de género y mostrar que invertir en las niñas y adolescentes es una importante herramienta para el desarrollo. En el marco de la campaña, esta semana se realizan actividades en los 65 países en los que PLAN trabaja con el fin de pedir que hoy, 22 de septiembre se nombrado Día Internacional de las Niñas. Ojalá no hiciera falta.

Más info sobre la campaña aquí

Alma* is about to arrive. I don’t know how I’m going to explain to my daughter that this world is sick. I guess I’ll just show her that another reality is possible. It will be easier for me and will make me feel less ashamed.

Because she’s a girl, Alma is arriving to a world full of opportunities. A warm home where gender discrimination is understood as something that should be part of the past is waiting for her. Because she’s a girl, she will never have to be in a “pseudo enslaving” relationship with someone else. She will have rights like health and education and will be able to become the kind of person that she wants to be.

But the thing is that not every soul that will be born at the same time as her will be so lucky. Unless we change some things first: PLAN warns that more than 30 million girls today live in a critical situation around the world. Its report “Por ser niñas 2010” seeks to address gender discrimination and show that investing in girls and teens is a powerful tool for human progress. As part of this campaign, they’re developing activities in the 65 countries where PLAN is working in order to ask that today, the 22nd of September, be called International Gilr’s Day. I wish it weren’t necessary, but it is.

By Hugh MacLeod. Author of Ignore Everybody

Three-phase electric power is a common method of alternating-current electric power transmission. It is a type of poly phase system, and is the most common method used by electric power distribution grids worldwide to distribute power. It is also used to power large motors and other large loads.

This “wide” 2009 has brought to my professional life tons of astonishing people and great projects.  The perfect prelude for 2010. Like a three-phase electric power transmission, I can distribute my year in three parts: one that could be called “starting up” from January to April, a second one from May to August which I decided to tag as “developing”, and finally the last four months, the “committing” part of the year: I committed myself to change the world and the final score has been higher than I could ever imagine.

Going on with the electric metaphor, 2009 has distributed powered and has empowered my future, which makes me feel full of gratitude. This awesome last year of the decade would not have been possible without the valuable contribution of many people: @santyprada, my whole family, my team at Atalaya, “mis Laetas”, “mis Meigas”, “mis” @ellas2: @begonamiguel, @mireia_juarez, @perezsusana…, love you all. I could not have achieved my goals without the energy and wisdom of @shaherose and the help of Olga San Jacinto. And for sure, those 365 days would have been worse without the sense of humor of @fabian_gonzalez, @chemanton, @cesardelacruz, @worldofsapo, @juanjux, Dom e Iván.

Finally, must say that along 2009 I have made some amazing discoveries. You all people have brought me hope, smiles and positive energy to continue walking and learning: @pedromoneo and @opinno crew, Mercedes Wullich from @mujeresycia @joseluisagell, @autkast, Carol Sands, Vanesa Pizarro, @nachoescobar, @felixlozano, @isabel_avila, @anamariallopis and @ideas4allteam team, @soleponscaruso and @HUBMadrid crew, @angelmaria and @iniciador team: @loogic, @wlappe, Lucas; @martasteve, @fderbaix, @mcglaria, @idoiacantolla, @peppersantblai + Marta, @joseluimontes, @fernandosummers, @capitancook, @aureamemotech, @manuelabat, @ElenaBRZ, @gabycastellanos, @dnsf, @lolya, @peignoir, @abarrera, @neusportas, @auroragaral, @sebasmuriel, @mdmgamero, @MaryVincent, @praxagora21, @DavidLinares, @javimonsalupe & @ellos2. So nice to met you!!

I wish I could explain this intense twelve months trough words, but it is impossible. So check this “three-phase diagram” out: click, discover, enjoy!

Very, very best for 2010!