We are pleased to inform you that Costa Rican biologist and environmental activist, Fabian Pacheco, has been nominated for the French Republic’s Human Rights Prize “Liberty-Equality-Fraternity” for 2023, awarded by the Prime Minister of the French Government’s National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH).

This time, the edition is dedicated to the defense of water, in which Pacheco has stood out for his trajectory against oil exploitation, open-pit mining, and contamination with pesticides.

The theme of this 2023 edition is “Environmental defenders and access to water”, among are contemplated objectives such as promoting the action of environmental defenders, promoting effective access to quality drinking water and effective sanitation, in addition to ensuring long-term monitoring of water resources, all this demonstrates the relevance of a candidate as the environmentalist Fabián Pacheco.

Since 1988, the Human Rights Prize of the French Republic has been awarded to various individuals and organizations whose aim is to carry out actions and projects related to the protection and promotion of human rights. The prize recognizes the fundamental role played by civil society, and in particular by non-governmental organizations, in the promotion and protection of these rights.

The results will be announced on December 10 at a ceremony in Paris.

Fabián Pacheco has been an activist since his adolescence and is currently the manager of INA’s Organic Agriculture Technician program, which has proven to be a singular success according to the latest study by INA’s Business Development Unit, given the high rate of employability of its graduates.

He is also the creator of the INA-IMAS-INAMU institutional program “Mujeres Semilla” (Seed Women), to strengthen the capacities of peasant, indigenous, and farming women.

Fabián has led as part of the collective Frente Eco-Cipreses, this community organization has arisen since 2019 and has worked denouncing, investigating, making legal actions and mobilizations for the defense of water.

 The struggle for the water of the community of Cipreses has had such transcendence and evolution thanks to the focus and work of the ecologist that today it evolved into a National Campaign For The Prohibition Of Chlorothalonil.

As mentioned by the Asociación Red de Coordinación en Biodiversidad: “We consider that Mr. Pacheco’s candidacy will strengthen a collective struggle for the defense of water in various communities of the country… [the award] represents a great opportunity to bring the defense of water in Costa Rica to the ears of the international community”.

Endorsement, support, and admiration from environmental organizations.

It is worth mentioning that a few months ago Fabián was nominated by more than 30 environmental organizations for the “Contributions to the Improvement of the Quality of Life Award”, a recognition granted by CONARE and the Ombudsman’s Office.

It was precisely the well-known environmentalist and writer Flora Fernández Amón, who joined forces for the nomination of the fighter Fabián Pacheco, an action of recognition by his peers.

It is also worth mentioning that Flora and Fabián have been involved in the environmental defense of Costa Rica, she has been his student in organic agriculture courses and is linked to the use of solar energy.

For his fellow environmental activists… Pacheco besides being a great friend and family, is a man full of integrity and determination, capable of integrating people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, of all cultural, ethnic, and gender backgrounds, and able to harmonize everyone to work with the same purpose.

Finally, it is important to emphasize that the Costa Rican Master in Environmental Agrobiology, Agronomist, and Ecologist, Fabian Pacheco, does not rest in raising his voice with concern about the actions that are not favorable for the biodiversity of Costa Rica: the contamination of water resources, secondly, the cultivation of food organically and without pesticides, “because there is no point in cultivating land organically if the water is already contaminated,” added Flora Fernandez.

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According to the United Nations, climate change is linked to 75% of extreme weather events;  91% of all deaths from meteorological hazards between 1970 and 2019 occurred in developing countries and it is expected that by 2030, there will be about 1.5 disasters of significant magnitude per day.

 In this sense, the University of Costa Rica (UCR) with the project Management for risk reduction in threatened communities in the country, works with communities that suffer the onslaught of disasters, to prevent and reduce their risks.

 Currently the project is working in the canton of Corredores in the communities of Central Campesina and Los Castaños, which have presented high socio-environmental risk such as floods, pests, inequality and impact from the monoculture of African palm.

 According to Eleazar Morales Aguirre, professor at the School of Psychology and coordinator of the project, the activities were organized into three axes: community organization, promotion of mental health and strategic alliances.

 In the field of organization, it focuses on training communities in disaster prevention management, with a more formal methodology but always maintaining recreational spaces “we have been applying the creation of risk maps that allows us, together with wisdom that these populations have on their territory, identify those areas of greatest risk,” declared Morales.

Identifying the origin of risk

 Part of the work is to guide communities in identifying the origin of this risk, such as the impact of banana activity that created the canals and dikes, which made the area susceptible to flooding.

 Within the field of mental health, opportunities for recreation, play and sports are provided, especially for the young population, boys and girls, older adults, as stated by MaríaÁngel Castro Ramírez, Psychology student and project assistant.  In the case of community leaders, the training is on psychological first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation without leaving aside the more recreational-informative spaces, Castro indicated.

 Coordinator Morales highlighted strategic alliances as a third axis of work to generate an interinstitutional and multidisciplinary approach.  “Within the vulnerable communities, the feeling of abandonment on the part of the State institutions is very present, which only attends to the emergency occasionally but the populations are left without the possibility of fully recovering after an event.”

Psychological and social consequences

 Among the psychosocial effects that a population can suffer due to an adverse event or disaster can be found: stress, uncertainty, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, human, material and economic losses, which means grief and an impact on their daily lives.

 When the loss is collective, such as when a flood destroys a bridge, there is also a social and economic impact.

 Education is an element that is severely affected by disasters and emergencies in the canton, as highlighted by YeseniaFernández Matamoros, a teacher at the Los Castaños Single-teacher School, who pointed out how in the pandemic and during the floods, students suffer significant delays in Educative development.

Another structural cause

Inequality, together with disorganization and lack of preparation, deepens the impact of any adverse event on populations and on the other hand, once the disaster has occurred, it increases inequality.  However, Morales highlighted as an important achievement, a product of the project’s work, the creation of the 1st Communal Emergency Committee in which seven communities surrounding Central Campesina and Los Castaños were organized to form this organization, which is a formal part of the System. National Risk Management and began dialogue with various local organizations to prevent and manage disasters and emergencies.

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 The first phase of announcements for BPM Festival began with 60 confirmed, including Bedouin, Carlo Lio, DJ Holographic, Eagles & Butterflies, Eli & Fur and Franky Rizardo.

 There will also be GORDO, HernánCattaneo, HUGEL, Øostil, PacoOsuna, Sainte Vie and Sidney Charles among many other notable house and techno artists. Innervisions’ Brit Eagles & Butterflies and chart-topping melodic house duo Eli & Fur will make their debut at BPM Costa Rica next year.

 This experience will also be experienced by the Dutch house master FrankyRizardo, the Mexican melodic house producer Øostil, the founder of Akumandra Sainte Vie and the German groove master Sidney Charle.

 “Curated” selection of parties

For his part, the Nicaraguan-American DJ GORDO, who was part of the inaugural edition in Miami last year, is focused on leading the Costa Rican tropics for the first time.

 In addition to these surprises, BPM fans will be able to listen to sets by their traditional and favorite DJs, including AJ Christou, Bedouin, Carlo Lio, DJ Holographic, HUGEL and Jean Pierre.  As well as Jesse Calosso, Mason Collective, Nathan Barato, Neverdogs, PacoOsuna, Rafa Barrios, Stacey Pullen and more

The organization announced that invited people will also have access to a “curated” selection of pop-up parties during the day. These parties will take place in downtown Tamarindo, specifically at Chiquita’s and El Moro, which will once again host a selection of pop-ups.

 For those wishing to attend the second edition of the BPM Festival, 5- and 3-day weekend passes are available for purchase now via https://thebpmfestival.com/

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Without having to use a weapon or enter by force, ¢2 billion were stolen from the vaults of the National Bank of Costa Rica, located in San José, in what would be the largest robbery in the history of the country. The BN confirmed that this incident is being investigated and that five officials have been suspended.

 For now, it has not been revealed who the officials are or the positions they occupy within the bank; However, as this media learned, they are all linked to the operation of the vaults.

 How did they steal all that money? 

There is no explanation at the moment, according to consulted experts, an armored car would be needed to mobilize such an amount of cash, however; Due to the existing controls it would be very difficult, but not impossible.  It is also possible that the theft had occurred gradually without the systems detecting the missing items.

 This case was known to the BN authorities since the previous Monday, however, the information had been handled secretly, and the Judicial Investigation Agency has not received any complaints in this regard.

 «As part of the internal reviews that the National Bank (BN) periodically carries out of its different internal processes, some inconsistencies were detected in the Cash Administration area.

Internal investigation is currently underway

 Given this situation and in accordance with legal regulations and current internal procedures, the BN opened an internal investigation, which is currently underway.Following due process, the bank provisionally suspended five officials while the investigation is underway,” the bank reported.

 This news outlet asked the bank why this fact had not been reported to the judicial police, but at the time of going to press this news had not received a response.Likewise, through a statement sent to this medium, the bank reported that it will not provide more details in this regard until the investigation is completed.The bank clarified that the fact under investigation does not affect the clients’ bank accounts or the solidity or solvency of the entity.

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IAFA survey reveals the lowest tobacco consumption in the history of Costa Rica and minimal use of emerging drugs Marijuana consumption in Costa Rica has increased in the last 8 years, going from 32 people per thousand in 2015 to 44 per thousand in 2022.Furthermore, 12 to 19 years old is the average age at which young people try it for the first time.

The data comes from the VII National Survey on the Consumption of Psychoactive Substances in the Population aged 12 to 70 in Homes in 2022, carried out by the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA).To apply the survey, the opinion of 16,059 informants from the 84 cantons of the Costa Rican territory was included.

People’s perception of the problem of drug use

“The importance of conducting surveys on the consumption of psychoactive substances, in addition to identifying whether they are present in a sector of the population, is to determine people’s perception of the problem of drug use,” said Oswaldo Aguirre, general director of the IAFA.“Based on the results, decisions are made, adjustments are made to preventive, treatment, information and communication programs,” added the director.

Other drugs

The 2022 Household Survey on the Consumption of Psychoactive Substances also allowed us to learn about the consumption of other products in the population.A relevant fact is that the lowest number of tobacco smokers in the history of Costa Rica was obtained. The percentage went from 10.5% in 2015 to 7% last year.

Some general data revealed by the survey are:

• The largest number of consumers of alcoholic beverages and cannabis are in the 20 to 29 age group.
• Those who use tobacco, cocaine and crack are in the 30 to 39 age group.
• Six out of every 1,000 people use cocaine. The age for the first time is 20 years old and men are the ones who use it the most.
• Six out of every 10,000 people used fentanyl as an opioid medication without a prescription.
• Alcoholic beverages remain the main psychoactive consumer product in Costa Rica.
• 18 in 100 people reported using tranquilizers, stimulants or opioids without a prescription

Understanding the problem

“Knowing the magnitude of the consumption problem, its relationship with other social situations and the variability over time is important to be able to intervene because consumption affects consumers, families and the community,” said Wendy Castro, from the IAFA. Likewise, the survey highlights that a minimal consumption of emerging drugs was found, such as:Tusi, Fentanyl, Synthetic marijuana, Bath salts and Ketamines

“The results provide a critical approach to the phenomenon of substance consumption in people between the ages of 12 and 70. Furthermore, they allow us to lay the foundations of knowledge that can and should serve to generate public policies,” stressed YorlenyRamírez, head of the research.

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For the first time in its history and after 28 editions, The Route, formerly known as the Route of the Conquerors, changes its course and will now begin in the Caribbean and end in the Pacific.The event will take place from November 30 to December 2.

 “This gives it a very different twist, since traditionally, the first day of competition is the most demanding day, however, with this reverse route, the hardest day will be day three and until the completion of that stage, We will know who the winners will be,” explained RománUrbina, founder of La Ruta.

Renowned cyclists

 With the announcement of the event, the presence of some renowned cyclists was also confirmed, including: Hans Becking (National Champion of Belgium), Lucas Baum (National Champion of Germany), NicolásSessler (representative of the Brazilian UCI team) and Tinker Juarez (multi-time American champion and cyclist with the record for most years as a professional).There will also be a former winner of the Tour de France, Floyd Landis, as well as Colombians Luis Mejía and DiyerRincón, who was second place in La Ruta 2022.

 “For this year we expect 250 competitors in La Ruta and 100 in La Siesta, for a total of 350-400 participants.  Right now we are already around 300 participants and there are still a few registrations left,” said Urbina.

The stages

 This is how the competition routes will be day by day:

Day 1: Circuit from the Siquirres Sports Center to Caño Blanco and return.  It starts at 9:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm.It is classified as “very exciting” due to the speed that the cyclists will take, passing through banana plantations, local roads and trails.

Day 2: A route of 600 meters up to 3100 meters above sea level and back at 1800 meters. It will pass near the Turrialba and Irazú Volcano.  It leaves at 7:00 am and closes at 6:00 pm. “A lot of broken terrain, constant ups and downs of mountains, diversity of landscape between volcanoes and mountain towns, sudden changes in temperature and altitude.”

 Day 3: It consists of 115 km with many obstacles, jungle, rivers, long climbs, sun and rain.  They leave Santa Ana, City Place at 5:15 am and have until before 6:00 pm to reach the finish line in Playa Herradura.

Prizes for everyone

This year, the cash prize will not only be for the elite competitors, but also for all categories.These are the amounts in Elite Men and Women:

1st place $6,000

2nd place $1,500

3rd place $1,000

 4th place $500

Award by age:

(19-29 years old): 1st place $750;  2nd place $200;  3rd place trophy

(30-39 years old) 1st place $750;  2nd place $200;  3rd place trophy

(40-49 years old) 1st place $750;  2nd place $200;  3rd place trophy

(50-59 years old) 1st place $750;  2nd place $200;  3rd place trophy

(60+) 1st place $750;  2nd place $200;  3rd place trophy.

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 Costa Rica, in a moment that will mark the country’s sporting annals, proudly celebrates the extraordinary number of women who have achieved the status of world and Pan American champions in various disciplines.

After exhaustive data analysis and research, it is evident that Costa Rica has flourished as a women’s sports power, surpassing all previous records. These notable female athletes have taken the country to an unprecedented level in global and continental competitions, consolidating their place in the history of Costa Rican sports and demonstrating that talent and dedication know no gender limits.

Here’s a look at these talented champions:

AmaliaOrtuño

Age 38

CrossFit Sport

Highest Award Adapted CrossFit Games Champion

Daniela Alfaro

Age 38

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Sport

Highest award World No Gi Champion (Dec, 2022)

Darla Gomez

Age 23

Sport Bodybuilding

Highest award Pan American Bikini Fitness Champion

Elena Weinstok

Age 15

 Sport Bowling

Highest award for Ibero-American Champion

Jimena Ruiz

Age 16

 Sport Surfing

Highest award World Champion Women Stand 2 (Dec, 2022)

Julianna Rodriguez

Age 25

Sport Boxing

Highest award: World Gold Champion

Katherine Arias

Age 39

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Sport

Highest award World No Gi Champion (Dec, 2022)

Melissa Avila

Age 17

Sport Cycling

Highest award Pan American Enduro Champion

Nicole Castro

Age 22

Sport Sambo

Highest award Pan American Champion

Rosa Baltodano

Age 44

Sport Arm Wrestling

Highest award: World Right Arm Champion (Oct, 2022)

Sharon Herrera

Age 19

Sport Athletics

Highest award: Pan-American U-20 walking champion

Yokasta Valle

Age 31

Sport Boxing

Highest award World Champion

Samantha Castro

Age 18

CrossFit Sport

Highest award World Functional Fitness Champion

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  Motorsports lovers will close the year with the return of the country’s most emblematic race: The Three Hours of Costa Rica.The best-prepared cars in the region will come to national soil along with high-quality and renowned drivers.

 The event will also be the final date of the Central American Motorsport Championship, the GT Challenge, and the return of Costa Rica’s most recognized cars that have been off the tracks in recent years is expected.

 The details

The iconic race will take place next Sunday, December 17 at the Go Rigo Go Circuit of Parque Viva in La Guácima de Alajuela, under the production of the company Family Fun-Rpmtv.

 “The next Three Hours of Costa Rica are going to mark a before and after, perhaps not so much because of the organization.  If not because of the vehicles that come, since they are of a different technology than what we Costa Ricans saw at the time… it is something out of the ordinary.

Main attractions

 “This is undoubtedly going to be one of the main attractions of the new Three Hours of Costa Rica,” said Manrique Mata, president of Rpmtv.Details of the vehicles and drivers that will participate, schedules, ticket costs and purchasing platform will be announced very soon.This event is endorsed by the Costa Rican Federation of Motors (Fecom).

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On August 30, the documentary “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” was released on Netflix, which highlighted the virtues and challenges of the five blue zones in the world, including the one located in Costa Rica, exactly on the Nicoya peninsula.The other four are in:Okinawa Japan, Sardinia Italy, Ikaria Greece, Loma Linda California

The documentary – which reflected more than 20 years of work by researcher Dan Buettner – launched a warning about the future of the Costa Rican blue zone (composed of the towns of Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya).

 In the third episode, the reasons that have allowed multiple cases of residents who have exceeded 90 and even 100 years of age to be recorded were not only highlighted. For example: This documentary emphasized a plant-based diet (consumption of beans, squash, and corn), natural movement, and a sense of family.

 As part of the documentary, the production also interviewed four centenarians: Ramiro Guadamuz, 100 years old, Dora Bustos, 102 years old, BenerandoGarcía, 99 years old, and Juan Carrillo, 86 years old.  These are residents who have a biological age about 10 years younger than their respective chronological age.

Alerts and worries in the area

However, not everything is positive in the documentary, since according to Dan Buettner, the blue zone of Nicoya could disappear.This is due to factors such as the great and rapid industrialization that has occurred in recent years on the peninsula, as well as the disinterest of new generations in continuing the traditions of their ancestors.

Blue Zones Nicoya

For this reason, organizations and companies like Blue Zones Nicoya have been working for years promoting and rescuing the values, culture and traditions of this region.It also seeks to raise awareness about the consumption of high-quality products from the area, with nutritional value and great health benefits.

 A specific action is carried out by the Blue Zones Nicoya organization, which donates a percentage of the sales of its products to support the centenarians of the peninsula.

 In addition, it plays an important role in the care of scarlet macaws and bees.  This through its scarlet macaw reinsertion project and the support program and good beekeeping practices, Blue Zones Nicoya detailed.  The organization makes an additional call to support rural tourism.To learn more about Blue Zones Nicoya, its social action as well as its products grown in the Blue Zone of Nicoya, you can visit the website: https://tiendanicoya.cr/

Recorded Longevity

Currently there are 57 people over 100 years of age in the Nicoya Peninsula, divided as follows:

Nicoya: 21

Santa Cruz: 19

Carrillo: 9

Nandayure: 5

Hojancha: 3

 According to records from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), there are 10 people who could turn 100 before December 31, 2023 in the country.

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 A recent survey by the firm PwC revealed that 79% of Costa Rican companies remain in a hybrid work model, which represents a challenge for companies, as they are forced to build collaboration schemes capable of integrating their collaborators, without matter where they are.

 And while some still choose to attend the office daily, others only go on specific days or even work completely remotely.  This implies that organizations see the need to provide tools that improve the experience of their collaborators and also enhance their productivity and interaction.

Adapting to the changing needs of companies

 “Currently it is no longer just about providing hybrid work tools, but rather about having solutions that adapt to the changing needs of companies and that, in turn, allow collaborators to enjoy efficient remote collaboration,” explained Carlos. Quintero, visual communications specialist at Ricoh Costa Rica.

 “The key is to empower productivity through remote collaboration and redesign offices as environments that inspire imagination and learning.  This enables dynamic and interactive interaction between teams, facilitating fluid communication and an agile exchange of information, regardless of distances,” he added.  Multiple companies are rethinking the digital transformation of their operations by incorporating collaboration technologies, such as interactive screens, videoconferencing systems, and document managers.

 Under this scenario, it is of utmost importance to have a broad understanding of the adoption of technologies and the goals that are intended to be achieved with their implementation.  Without a doubt, a thorough analysis of the organization’s current landscape will allow identifying and selecting the most appropriate solutions to address its specific needs.

Organization´s four key practices

 To guarantee a successful integration of collaboration services in their facilities, the Ricoh company, recognized for providing technological solutions that accelerate the digital adoption of its clients, recommends organizations four key practices that ensure an optimal transition towards a more efficient and digital environment. productive:

• Having specialized professional advice constitutes the fundamental foundation of the entire process.  The presence of experts to guide and support decision-making ensures a fluid and precise implementation that responds to the characteristics of the space and the particular needs of each company.
• Performing concept tests is vitally important to give users the opportunity to experience the benefits of integration.  From inviting them to a room equipped with all the necessary equipment, where they can experience collaboration in full operation, to organizing demonstrations with equipment similar to what will be implemented in the future, it will make it easier to identify and address possible adjustments.
• Training in the use of the equipment becomes an essential pillar to optimize system performance.  This training is relevant for all users who will make direct or indirect use of the technology, as it will ensure successful adoption and optimal use of collaboration tools.
• n  Ensuring support and maintenance is an essential stage once the services are implemented.  Having continuous support, as well as technical assistance, becomes a valuable investment to provide peace of mind to the organization, knowing that it will always have support in the event of any eventuality.

 According to Quintero, the adoption of collaboration technologies should facilitate the path towards reformulating the future of work models.  “It is not only about considering aspects such as sound, cabling and image quality, but also about helping to make collaboration more human, productive and enriching;  that allows collaborators to connect and work together optimally and safely in this new era,” he concluded.

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