By Maria Luisa Grimaldi

CANADA: The Hispanic Development Council, an umbrella organization of Toronto’s community organizations, has joined the campaign “Status Now” — a defense for people without (legal) immigration status.

Through this campaign, the Council joins the collective effort of the different ethnic communities of immigrants, in support of the members of our Hispanic community to work together in the creation of programs that respond to the needs of the community.

This campaign formed in June 2007 in support of the motion filed in the name of the Standing Committee on Immigration to put in place an immediate moratorium on deportations of persons and families who have no immigration status.

By Julia Ardón

COSTA RICA: The problem is not the politics but the demagoguery, the political process and the way in which traditional politicians conduct politics.

The problem is not the drugs but the dependence and abuse of it.

The problem is not the advertising but manipulative and untruthful advertising.

The problem is not feminism but the feminists who believe that it’s about fighting men.

The problem is not obesity; the problem is how it is seen.

By Rocío Arango Giraldo

COLOMBIA: The low necklines, meant to exhibit voluptuous breasts enhanced by silicone implants courtesy of the good work of plastic surgeons, are a regular scene of Medellín nightlife.

Medellín is now named “Silicone Valley.” It has nothing to do with software.

While it is true that the “paisas” women are beautiful, the cost of this manufactured beauty is too great on a large percentage of young women and girls who suffer through food disorders like anorexia and bulimia, just to keep their beauty.

Ever before history noted the divisions between “the beautiful” and “the pretty,” it has never been as complicated as it is now where image and looks are so important in our personal relationships.

Sadly, women are in the middle of this new direction in the Female Revoluion.

By Juliana Rincón

COLOMBIA: Most adults shake their heads and wonder why anorexia and bulimia are on the rise in Medellin, when it is easy for any young woman to know.

Clothing in stores comes in two styles: fashionable and frumpy.

Guess which sizes match each style?

By Ana María Hanssen

ARGENTINA: Evita Perón is probably the best known Argentine woman in recent history. She has become an international icon to the point that women in beauty pageants often mention her name, along with Mother Theresa's, when asked to name a role model.

I have to confess that although I recognize she was a leader in this country, she is not on my list of role models.

It's nothing personal. It's just that I find it a bit cliché.

By Sabrina De Santiago

MEXICO: Mexico has taught me that there are as many opportunities out there as you are willing to find. So when I moved down to Mexico last year, I looked for an opportunity to keep working with Democrats.

I found a great group – the YoDems chapter of Democrats Abroad.

Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party organization for the millions of Americans living outside the United States.

We work to advance the principles of our Party by spreading the Democratic message to Americans abroad and encouraging them to vote for Democratic candidates back home.

And that final part was the clincher — that we Americans can vote abroad.