Articles on Social issues
Why Didn't the McChicken Cross the Road?
15 May, 2013, Robert Noyes
McDonald’s shut its doors in Bolivia in 2002. Theories are conspiracies are abound for its demise and eventual departure. In the latest turn of events, other iconic US chains are knocking on the country’s doors. Could this signal a return of the Golden Arches? Illustration: Ana Ryan Flinn On average, ...
A Healing Conundrum
17 April, 2013, Robert Noyes
The government claims traditional medicine is predominant in Bolivia while a research institute denounces the eradication of these practices. Robert Noyes sets out to weigh up the evidence. Photo: Ivan Rodriguez Petkovic The field of medicinal practices in Bolivia seems to have turned into a contested political battleground. On the ...
EDITORIAL - Reinventing Progress
14 March, 2013, Amaru Villanueva Rance
Things are quickly changing in Bolivia — some say for worse, some say for the better. But what does it mean for things to improve in the first place? This is precisely what’s currently being debated across the country. Félix Cárdenas, Vice-Minister for Decolonisation helps us understand some of these ...
Under Construction - Democratisation in Bolivia
14 March, 2013, Frans Robyns
With it’s latest Constitution, Bolivia has laid the foundations for a new era in its history. While civil society has undergone important transformations, democracy is still being developed. Photo by Amaru Villanueva Rance Democracy is a recent development in Bolivia. It isn’t really possible to classify Bolivia as anything approaching ...
Out of the Closet, Into the Fire?
14 March, 2013, Felicia Lloyd
Changes in Bolivian Laws signal some progress towards recognising sexual freedoms, though for gay rights to improve in practice, society must follow suit. Can culture hold the key for change? Photo by K-OS GALÁN A good starting point to understand the historical development of gay rights in Bolivia, is an examination ...
Rainbow Nation?
14 March, 2013, Carlos (Kaamil) Shah
Bolivia is now officially Plurinational, has South America’s first indigenous President, and is developing in unexpected ways. But with a racial past as murky as Bolivia’s, can the country overcome its differences to become a true rainbow nation? Photo by Pablo Paniagua ‘The issue of race is not black and ...
Artful Rebellion
14 March, 2013, Connor Larson
Connor Larson explores how art is helping El Alto’s youths find personal growth. A volunteer, an MC, and the Minister of Cultures Pablo Groux help her understand how their cultural expressions can also help society develop. El Alto is a city of contrasts. The seeming lack of consistency in the ...
Unlove - When Love Has Lost Its LLajwa
15 February, 2013, Frans Robyns
With Valentines Day around the corner, couples frolicking together in carnivalesque frenzy, hearts on sale at every street corner and love charms for sale to make your passionate crush fall in love with you, it's hard not to get swept away with love and its associated rites. Even President Evo ...
Blind Love
15 February, 2013, Selene Pinto
"When the sun shines, he comes close to me and he can see the sparkle in my eyes', says Fernanda while embracing Franklin. They are both gradually losing their sight and are almost completely blind. He is 28 years old, works as a civil servant at the Identifications Office. She ...
Love in the Andes
15 February, 2013, Caroline Risacher
Courtship and Marriage Rites in the Altiplano Within the Andean conception of life, getting married follows a higher purpose than simply finding a companion for life. The idea of dating for weeks or years with a series of different partners until you find the right one is not a familiar ...