Sec. of State Clinton thanks host families of exchange students

"When we dispel stereotypes and we open new avenues of dialogue across boundaries and borders, we enrich ourselves and the world."

Earlier this month, Hillary Clinton taped a video thanking families hosting exchange students like our Youth Ambassadors, who are funded through the State Department. It's a general message for a broad audience, but I think it's worth listening to and definitely applies to our experience with the generous families in Minnesota and Uruguay who have opened their doors to host exchanges. Very true words!

Happy Independence Day Uruguay

August 25th is almost here. Happy Independence Day Uruguay! Here is a message from Hillary Clinton about the big day.

Time to apply! The Dennis R. Shaw Memorial Scholarship

The Dennis R. Shaw Memorial Scholarship

Dennis Shaw was a valued member of the Partners of the Americas team in Washington DC starting in 1996. His lifelong passion for education and cultural exchanges and for the Youth Ambassadors program, which he coordinated for Brazil from 2003-2007, were contagious to all that met him.

The Shaw Memorial Scholarship will assist young people of limited financial means who 1.) Have traveled on a Partners of the Americas administered grant or program or 2.) Are members of a Partners of the Americas chapter.

The purpose of the Scholarship is to cover expenses associated with pursuing higher education at any university in the Western Hemisphere. Examples of potential academic expenses include:

Travel expenses to and from university;
Textbooks and supplies;
Course fees that are not covered by scholarships or other financial aid;
Opportunities for travel or study abroad that the student would not
normally be able to pursue for financial reasons.

A minimum of two awards will be given in 2010, for a minimum of $250 each. At least one award will be given to a youth from Brazil. Award amounts may be larger, depending on availability of funds. Award winners will be determined periodically by the Partners Foundation. Youth may only win a Shaw award once.

To apply for the Shaw award, eligible youth must submit a statement of academic purpose, recent transcript or letter/ proof of admittance, and description of what they intend to use the Scholarship for. Financial necessity is a consideration and students should address their merit as a part of their application. Students must submit their paperwork to Michelle Nicholson at mnicholson@partners.net for consideration.

Come to the 2010 asado (Uruguayan bbq) on Saturday, Aug. 14th!

Join us to celebrate Uruguay's amazing run to the world cup semi-final at the Minnesota-Uruguay Partners Annual Asado (bbq). Enjoy great local food (grass-fed beef, local sausages, wines from Uruguay and more) at the Uruguayan style barbecue.
Bid on Uruguayan art and cultural gifts at the silent auction.

Host: Minnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas

Location: National Sport Center Stadium (look for the Uruguay national flag)
1700 105th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55449 USA

When: Saturday, August 14, 4:30PM


Grass-fed beef, sausages, plates, utensils, napkins, beverages and bread will be provided.(There will be a free-will offering to help cover our costs for the Asado meats)

RSVP to erikbrand10@gmail.com or call 612-242-1863 with questions.

Stay to watch the NSC Minnesota Stars vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Special Game Ticket Price for Asado attendees: $5
Available only at the Asado.

Get Connected With Uruguayan Culture and People in Minnesota!

YouTube video of Uruguayan photographer

Gary Kuhn has shared a video produced by/about an Uruguayan artist who plans to come to Minnesota this fall, Ignacio Guani.

Tourism to Uruguay Breaking Records

Uruguay is the champion in tourism in Latin America, according to Latin Business Chronicle's Latin Tourism Index. Tourism arrivals account for a whopping 61.4 percent of Uruguay's population. The index of 15 countries in Latin America shows the total impact of tourism in a country by measuring receipts as a percent of GDP and arrivals per capita using 2009 data.

Moody's places Uruguay on review for possible upgrade as credit profile improves

This is good news for Uruguay. Costs of borrowing go down, investment climate improves, etc. Something for many other countries in the world to emulate....


New York, July 15, 2010 -- Moody's Investors Service has placed the government of Uruguay Ba3 local- and foreign-currency bond ratings on review for possible upgrade. Moody's decision to initiate this review was prompted by (1) evidence that the global crisis has had a limited impact on the country's economic and financial outlooks; (2) a track record of declining government debt ratios which have become aligned with peer group medians; (3) signs that economic policy continuity will be preserved by the incoming Mujica administration; and (4) Uruguay's reduced exposure to
regional shocks....

Federico Estol Photographs Small Town Life in Minnesota

Patrick sent us more press coverage of Federico Estol's work to photograph Montevideo, Minnesota. Here's the latest article.

Patrick Moore sent us this link today about Federico Estol's visit to Montevideo, Minnesota:

"Small-town celebration about to get one mighty audience"

Sports, Arts Committees Converge!

Gary Kuhn forwarded the image below, a play on Punta Del Este's famous "Los Dedos" sculpture and last week's handball infraction at the end of the game by the UY player Suarez -- "and yet amazingly they won!" Gary noted.

Update on One Laptop Per Child in Uruguay

One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help provide every child in the world access to a modern education, has been awarded a bid by Plan Ceibal to provide 90,000 XO laptops for high school students in Uruguay. This is the first time the OLPC XO laptops have been specifically designed for high school-aged students and represents a major expansion in the learning program that will have a global impact, the company said in a press release.