PARAGUAY
PARAGUAY This is the land of
,
Where the simplest gestu
Where the people, the cu ingredients for an
Where the to grow, to impact are a
Because now
,
and
.
ure can cause the .
of
ulture and nature are the special .
improve, to develop, to help, to all you need to make it here.
.
Paraguay is a 406,752 square kilometres South American nation, surrounded by Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia. It has an extremely young population (of the 6,703,860 people, 40% is under age 15 and only 5% is 60 or older) comprised mostly by mixed Spanish and Guaraní descents. Originally inhabited by the semi-nomadic Guaraní, Paraguay's first western visitor was explorer Sebastian Cabot in 1526 and soon became a province of Spain. In 1811 it gained its independence. From then on Paraguay had a troubled history with periods of dictatorial regimes until the first truly free elections in 1993. Paraguay is a country of remarkable contrasts: it's rustic and sophisticated; it's extremely poor and obscenely wealthy; it boasts exotic natural reserves and massive human-made dams; it is a place where horses and carts pull up by Mercedes Benz cars; artisans' workshops abut glitzy shopping centres; and Jesuit ruins in rural villages lie just a few kilometres from sophisticated colonial towns. The steamy subtropical Atlantic Forest of the east is a stark contrast to the dry, spiny wilderness of the Chaco; location of the isolated Mennonite colonies. Paraguay is a truly authentic South American experience, boasting an intoxicating blend of crumbling colonial cities, exotic natural wonders and indigenous tribes, visitors to Paraguay can also expect a warm welcome from the locals, who are unerringly polite, interested in outsiders and liberal with their dinner invitations (expect football chat to be on the menu).
Despite its fast economic growth since 2010, the social and financial inequality in Paraguay is hard to ignore. Paraguay is a non-develop country facing some social issues that causes extreme poverty. Poverty is associated with low education levels, female-headed households, language (monolingual Guarani speakers), and migration. It is reflected in overcrowding, low quality dwellings, and a lack of access to basic household services. The probability of being poor for primary school graduates is twice as high as for secondary school graduates. A monolingual Guarani speaker has almost a 50% greater chance of being poor than a monolingual Spanish speaker, and migrants have a 60% higher probability of being poor than non-migrants.
For this we really believe that IT´S TIME FOR PARAGUAY IT´s TIME to CONNECT: empower our organizations by helping them to grow and become better positioned in the local and international market. IT´S TIME to SPEAK UP: empower our people by giving the tools and skills they need to succeed and change Paraguay for the better.
Capital: Asuncion Government: Republic Currency: Guaraní (PYG) Religion: 90% Roman Catholic Official Language: Spanish & Guaraní Mobile Country Code: +595 Time Zone: UTC/GMT -4 hours | Summer UTC/GTM –3 hours
Paraguay is commonly referred to as El corazón de América aka “The heart of America” because it is located right in the middle of the continent. Paraguay is one of the few in South America to have retained its native tongue as an official language. Guaraní is an onomatopoeic language. Many of its words imitate the sounds of animals, forests and waterfalls. Terere is a popular Paraguayan tea made of mate (pronounced "mahtay"). Locals imbibe prodigious daily amounts of their favorite infusion. Preferably chilled in the suffocating summer heat.
Paraguay’s flag is the only national flag in the world to have different emblems on the front and back. The country’s motto is Paz y Justicia which stands for “Peace and Justice”. Paraguayan women produce some of the world’s best lacework. Nanduti, which is made in a circular design, gets its name from the Guaraní word meaning “spider web”. The Gran Chaco is Latin America's 2nd most important forest, behind only the Amazon in terms of size and biodiversity. Within its borders also lives the only uncontacted tribe outside Amazonia.
Places To Visit
Little-visited, little-known Paraguay is a country much misunderstood. Despite its location at the heart of the continent, it is all too often passed over by travelers who wrongly assume that a lack of 'mega-attractions' means there's nothing to see. But it's ideal for those keen to get off the gringo trail for a truly authentic South American experience. Being a land-locked country, Paraguay is surrounded by land; which is a good thing! In about 20 hours by bus you can visit Brasil, Argentina or Bolivia!
Here you can know more about the turistic sites of beautiful, exciting Paraguay: - www.lonelyplanet.com/paraguay - www.senatur.gov.py - www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294079-Paraguay-Vacations.html
Weather Temperatures are high in a humid subtropical climate in the summer months of October to March, while in the winter months of July to September night frosts may occur. Rainfall occurs throughout the year but is usually heaviest between October and April; annual variations can be extreme. Check the Monthly Average Temperatures
Transports Paraguay’s transportation system ranges from adequate to poor, largely depending on the region of the country. The country has a network of roads, railroads, rivers, and airports, but significant infrastructure and regulation improvements are needed. Taxi prices are negotiable. A Bus Ticketc costs 2300 PYG₲ = 0,42 US$ = 1,50 R$
Money Paraguay survived the economic crisis as the world´s third fastest growing economy. Though prices haven´t changed much over the last few years, the Guaraní currency is stronger than it has ever been. There are many exchange currency houses in Paraguay, especially in the airports. ATMs are widespread, but take care when withdrawing money. Check the Cost of Living in Paraguay
Other Information Paraguay Emergency Numbers: Medical – 131 Fire – 131 Police – 911
Paraguay Electricity: Type C European 2-PIN
AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. We are an independent, non-political, not-forprofit youth-run organization. AIESEC does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, creed, or religion, nor on the basis of national, ethnic, or social origin. AIESEC was founded in 1948. Over 67 years later we are present in 126 countries and territories and we have engaged and developed over 1,000,000 young people who have been through an AIESEC experience. AIESEC in Paraguay was created in 2011 based on a dream to change the country. IT’S TIME FOR PARAGUAY will help do exactly that as part of the Global Citizen Third Sector International Portfolio.
www.aiesec.org/about-aiesec/
PROJECT | CONNECT EDITION I – 4/12/2015 to 17/1/2016
|
EDITION II – 15/1/2016 to 28/2/2016
The project aims to improve the communication, external positioning and boost the growth of Third Sector organizations (NGOs) through the development and implementation of marketing and communications strategies.
JOB DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE :
ACTIVITIES DURING THE PROJECT :
Conduct a study on the organization, its
Training Days – you will be given several lectures about the specifics of the project, preparation for the working activities and our LEAD program that will help you to begin your Inner Journey.
products and its market Creation of a Marketing Plan Construction of the Brand’s Visual Identity Management of the Website and Social Media Organization of Fundraising Events Promotion and Positioning of the product /
service in its market
REQUIRED PROFILE: Background
in academic and/or Marketing areas
Final Event – this is where you’re going to celebrate your achievements in the project and reflect about the whole experience together with your fellow volunteers.
MAIN BENEFITS: Communication
Basic Level in Spanish (A1 or A2)
Learning by Doing – put your theoretical
studies into practice Leadership Skills (check the previous page)
PROJECT | SPEAK UP EDITION I – 4/12/2015 to 17/1/2016
|
EDITION II – 15/1/2016 to 28/2/2016
The project aims to provide cultural enrichment and multilingual abilities to young people and organizations, through practical language discussions and conversations in English and / or Portuguese on relevant global issues.
JOB DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE :
ACTIVITIES DURING THE PROJECT :
Teach
Training Days – you will be given several lectures about the specifics of the project, preparation for the working activities and our LEAD program that will help you to begin your Inner Journey.
English or Portuguese using the “Learning by Doing” method, focusing especially in the Listening and Speaking areas
Creation of Discussion Groups among the
students on controversial international affairs, such as:
national
Political Issues Economic Issues Social Issues Cultural Issues
and
Final Event – this is where you’re going to celebrate your achievements in the project and reflect about the whole experience together with your fellow volunteers.
REQUIRED PROFILE:
MAIN BENEFITS:
Intermediate Level in English (B1) or
Cross Cultural Competency, Public Speaking,
Intermediate Level in Portuguese (B1)
Social Intelligence & Transdisciplinary Leadership Skills (check the previous page)
SERVICES INCLUDED in the
PROJECTS
* DURING 6 WEEKS
ACCOMODATION IN HOSTING FAMILIES* 100 000 GS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTS** LUNCH IN WORKING DAYS* AIRPORT ARRIVAL PICK-UP PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE
We notify you initially that each NGO or School has different and specific needs. We expect you to be sensitive to those needs and act proactively to do the best work you can towards helping them. Also, you must adapt to a completely different reality - this is the only way to truly immerse yourself into the project and to make a positive impact on the lives of the people you will be working with.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION In all our processes we need to control and manage all the necessary information (passport; health insurance; visa; arrival & departure tickets) to ensure AIESEC in Paraguay the legality of the exchange participant temporary permanency in Paraguay. Therefore, you must submit the following documentation as quickly as possible:
1
Exchange Participant Acceptance Note
2
Health Insurance
3
Flight Tickets/Bus tickets
4
Pre-Travel Medical Appointment
In this document you, as an Exchange Participant, will willingly accept all the terms, like specific timeline, job description and offered conditions, in order to participate in the respective project. This document should be sent during the Match process; ask your EP Manager to help you with that.
You must send us a document proving that you have an health insurance at least 2 weeks before your arrival in Asuncion. The health insurance: - Must contain all your personal information; - Must cover the whole country, namely Paraguay - Must cover the entire internship period
You must send us a print of your tickets (arrival and departure) at least 2 weeks before your arrival in the country.
[NOT REQUIRED]
In case you are not from Latin America we advise you to schedule a Pre-Travel Medical Appointment in a local hospital or clinic in your home country.
---------- ATTENTION ---------If you haven’t read the International AIESEC Exchange Programme Policies (also known as XPP ďƒ&#x; click here), we urge you to do it in full as soon as possible, in order for you to understand your rights and duties as an Exchange Participant.
Volunteer Obligations & What We Expect from YOU We in AIESEC expect that you use this opportunity to grow and to develop your leadership potential, but more than that; we expected that you live this experience here, in Paraguay, and not thinking about your home country. Paraguay Is Paraguay and you have to feel it; is not any other country and its suppose to be experienced intensely. Welcome cultural shock and the different realities you might see, because that is what will allow you to grow. We also expect that you will be accountable for your own experience and for enjoying it! We as AIESEC will support your growth and take care of the necessary logistics, but you are responsible for your experience as well, so be proactive, be aware, be open minded, be available to the unexpected. Also, have in mind that AIESEC is not a travel agency. The purpose of AIESEC exchange experiences is to change lives, by developing your Leadership potential and for you to impact the lives of those you’ll be in contact with during the experience itself. We are looking for volunteers who share this vision and want to come here to develop the country and themselves. -Follow the working schedule -Be punctual and appear in all the working days -Be present in all the meetings of AIESEC that are mandatory. - Be proactive and take full advantage of the experience! - Stay in sync with our values! - Try to be present! - Whenever you think is necessary, give us your feedback: we're here to provide you the best experience, but we can only do it if we know how. - We want to be present in your experience, and we'll make sure you get the most out of your internship! Whenever you need us, you just have to call the OC team and someone will help you! This is AIESEC culture! - We are not responsible for the conditions of the institution you will be working in. Some of them can be a challenge, but try to help if things get difficult, instead of just criticizing. After all, the goal is to improve lives.
AIESEC Obligations - AIESEC will not take any responsibilities for anything that is stolen or lost during the internship. - AIESEC is responsible for the reception and integration of the volunteer. - AIESEC is responsible for monitoring the trainee during the internship. - AIESEC will give a SIM card to the trainee. - AIESEC will take the trainee to the working place and accommodation on the first working day. - One member of AIESEC will be monitoring the trainee during the internship – the Buddy. - AIESEC is responsible for the delivery of a relevant job description. - AIESEC will provide the accommodation.
If you have any doubts, contact us!
CONTACTS:
Bárbara Alves
barbara.alves1@aiesec.net
MCVP iGCDP
Romina Aguero
romina.aguero@aiesec.net
LCVP iGCDP
AIESEC in Paraguay Universidad Americana Edificio PostGrado, Assunção
paraguay@aiesec.net (+595) 0982925607
www.facebook.com/aiesecparaguay