The ESU is an independent non-political, educational charity with members throughout the United Kingdom and the United States and branches in more than 50 countries worldwide. Its purpose is to promote international understanding and human development through the widening use of the English language. For millions of people throughout the world it is the key to personal achievement in business, politics, technology and the arts. The English language plays a vital role in contributing towards international cooperation and friendship.
The ESU's approach is to work through people-to-people exchanges, scholarships, public speaking and music competitions, conferences, and other national and international programmes made possible by the generosity of its members worldwide.
The Argentina chapter of the ESU,founded in 1993, has managed to grow year after year, not only in numbers but also in the hard work and new programmes put in place for the benefit of its members and friends. They include:
Annual Public Speaking Competition, the winner and runner-up travel to London for the World finals;
Scholarship for the Secondary School Exchange for local students who travel to the US, live 6 months on campus or with a family while attending the sixth form and graduating from an excellent American school;
Scholarships for secondary school teachers to attend the Cultural Seminar at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre in London, to meet and work with Globe Theatre staff and Globe Education practitioners;
Scholarships for secondary school teachers to attend the Stratford Study Course(plays, lectures, discussions and workshops, devised and delivered by Shakespearian experts) in Stratford-upon-Avon;
Scholarships for young professionals to attend the International Summer Conference at Mansfield College, in Oxford;
Farming Exchange Programme for young farmers from the UK, who spend time on Argentine estancias, and for young local farmers spending time working in farms in England and Scotland;
The Walter Hines Page Secondary School Exchange Programme for teachers from Argentina and the US who visit a group of the finest schools in the host country;
Capitol Hill Programme, through which local students of international relations, political sciences or law spend a few months as interns in the US Senate in Washington, D.C.;
Annual Business Luncheon, aimed at reaching out and creating awareness of the ESU and its mission within the local business community.
Annual Singing Competition at the British Embassy.
Our challenge for next year is to continue to grow in institutional and individual membership by creating awareness of the ESU and its mission among the education and business communities and by attracting young and/or energetic people interested in promoting good will and understanding.
ESU Argentina is proud of its growth and of its contribution to our community.
Malcolm J. Rodman
Chairman ESU Argentina
The Executive Committee
The Secondary School Exchange Program brings another USA scholar to Argentina
As you must all know, last year we started receiving students from USA on our SSE Reciprocity Program. Clara Mc Neil came to Northlands College for two months and then travelled to Mar del Plata to attend Holy Trinity School for another two months.
This year we will be hosting Matthew Coz from Avon Old Farms School, Connecticut, USA. He will come to study at St George’s College, Quilmes, from August 2nd to September 16th. Then he will go to Escuela Argentina Modelo from September 17th to November 20th.
Matthew is eager to make the most of this opportunity to meet new people of his age and exchange experiences. He is an excellent student, President of the Student Council, and fully committed to his scholastic responsibilities. He is also very keen on sports and truly devoted to social work.
Let us get ready to welcome Matthew and, later on, all the others that will keep on coming to our country to learn about us and continue strengthening bonds among ESU members in the world.
Harry Cloke from Oxfordshire
England at the Riecke’s family Farm in Balcarce
Recently I was invited to return to the farm Las Mercedes, near Balcarce in the Province of Buenos Aires for a week with a close friend of mine also from a country background in the heart of England. We spent the week helping with daily chores and the harvesting of Maize and Sunflowers which was going on at the time, as well as taking time to relax and simply enjoy being out of the city again. We received a very warm welcome back by the family by whom the farm is run, and spent a lot of the time with them, as well as exploring the farm and trying to see as many of the different areas of this style of intensive and diverse farming as possible. Having already worked on the farm for a week in January, this was a chance to see the change that takes place as the year passes through the seasons. We can both safely say we had a fantastic time and, as ever, ate extraordinarily well. Our thanks, as always, go to the Rodman family who have been so kind during my time in Argentina, the Riecke family who own the farm, and everyone who lives there for making the week so special.
Buenos Aires, 11 de junio de 2010
Coro de Sporting Nations ¡Los ensayos llegan a las provincias!
El Coro de Sporting Nations decidió poner en marcha una serie de ensayos presenciales para que los participantes del proyecto puedan aprovechar al máximo el repertorio y comiencen a prepararse para el intenso workshop coral a cargo de nuestra directora, Mari Morgan.
El Coro de Sporting Nations decidió poner en marcha una serie de ensayos presenciales para que los participantes del proyecto puedan aprovechar al máximo el repertorio y comiencen a prepararse para el intenso workshop coral a cargo de nuestra directora, Mari Morgan.
A partir de mediados de julio, en Córdoba, y de mediados de agosto, en Buenos Aires y Chubut, cada una de las tres sedes del coro tendrá un director a su disposición que organizará un ensayo semanal de dos horas. Los ensayos durarán hasta la semana de realización del workshop en cada provincia.
El Coro de Sporting Nations forma parte de un proyecto mayor desarrollado para la celebración del bicentenario de la Revolución de Mayo. A través de la música y el deporte, los lazos entre la Argentina y el Reino Unido se estrechan aún más. La inscripción al proyecto sigue abierta.
Workshop en Córdoba: 20 al 25 de septiembre. Workshop en Buenos Aires (Capital Federal y San Isidro): 4 al 9 de octubre. Workshop en Chubut: 14 al 17 de octubre en Esquel y 18 al 22 de octubre en Trelew.
Sobre Mari Morgan:
Mari Morgan, la directora artística y coral, nació en el sur de Gales, estudió en University of Wales College, en Cardiff, y en Trinity College of Music, London.
Su trabajo se ha desarrollado, principalmente, en los Estados Unidos, el Reino Unido y Canadá, donde ha dirigido diferentes coros, se ha presentado como solista y también ha dado varios seminarios.
Sobre el British Council: El British Council es la organización internacional del Reino Unido para las oportunidades educativas y relaciones culturales. Con presencia en más de 100 países, incentivamos el intercambio de conocimientos e ideas entre personas alrededor del mundo, y trabajamos para fortalecer el entendimiento y la confianza entre las diferentes culturas y dentro de ellas.
El British Council lleva adelante una política de diversidad e igualdad de oportunidades en el desarrollo e implementación de sus proyectos. Esta estrategia nos permite asegurar que no existirá ningún tipo de discriminación y que toda persona será tratada con respeto y dignidad. Nos comprometemos a crear un espacio de trabajo y de intercambio donde se valoren estas ideas.
Secondary School Exchange Programme January-June 2010 in USA
The Governor's Academy EEUU
On the 7th of October the interviewing Board of ESU Argentina met at the offices of Cambridge ESOL Argentina to select one candidate to study in USA from January to June 2010, on the scholarship that the USA Branch offers students of our member schools every year.
Several pre-selected candidates were interviewed, all highly recommended by their School Heads. After careful consideration we chose in the first place Agustín Suárez Ortega from Del Viso Day. Agustin Suarez Ortega Report
NATIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION 2010 - Results
Winner, Marina Filiba, Northlands School , “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS”
Runner up Francisco Huarte Petite , Escuela Argentina Modelo, “KEEP GOING”
3rd prize Guillermina Perez , Lomas High School , “My Shoping List
News Release Public Speaking Competition Final
International Public Speaking Competition at HSBC HQ
80 students from 46 countries will gather to compete in the ESU’s 29th annual IPSC
The ESU’s International Public Speaking Competition started 29 years ago when the national competition in England was opened up to Australia. The competition has now spread to 40,000 young people in 46 countries with four new countries joining in 2010 alone. On Friday 21 May 80 participants from those 46 countries will battle it out at HSBC in Canary Wharf hoping to be the one to raise the trophy high and to be declared the international winner of the ESU’s public speaking competition.
The appeal of the competition is the opportunity it gives to young people all over the world to practise and improve their skills in public speaking and communication. The growing acknowledgement of the importance of English as not only a communication tool but also a development tool is shown through the introduction of a major new project in Bangladesh by the UK Department for International Development “to radically improve the lives of up to 25 million people by using new approaches to English teaching and learning. This will develop their language skills, thus increasing their employment opportunities and enabling them to participate more effectively in economic and social activities which will contribute to Bangladesh's long-term development.” (www.dfid.gov.uk)
The ESU’s International Public Speaking Communication is helping young people all over the world to realise their potential by increasing their communication skills in English, by empowering them to give their opinions with confidence and by connecting them to a network of alumni from across the globe from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. English is the language of the internet, of international business, of negotiation, of sport, music and science; the skills this competition gives young people in the persuasive use of English opens doors to untold possibilities and prepares them to become the next leaders of their countries.
Previous winners in recent years have included Mauritius, The Philippines and Yemen; the winner of this year’s competition will travel to Buckingham Palace in November to accept their award from HRH Prince Phillip, President of the ESU. The competition is supported by HSBC’s Global Education Trust.
The English Speaking Union Argentina UK Squad in Argentina 13-21 Marzo 2010
Dear Member Schools
In response to the increasing demand from teachers and students of the ESU community, ESU Argentina is pleased to announce the arrival of two International Public Speaking experts: Mr. Can Okar and Ms. Eve Hibbert - Keene (See attached CVs) who will deliver a free of charge workshop on the ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING in the week of March 14. This hands-on workshop specially tailored for both teachers and students will be held at member schools/ member institutions in Capital Federal and different areas of Gran Buenos Aires. [See More]
We take for granted your enthusiasm and support in the knowledge that this experience will help improve the preparation of the speakers for the national and international competition.
To help as with the organization of these workshops, we would like you to confirm asap. your school`s interest in attending one of these workshops by answering this mail.
Further information will be sent to you in the coming weeks.
I do hope to meet you at these unique training sessions.
Best regards,
Mr. Malcolm Rodman
Chairman
ESU Argentina
www.esu.org.ar
Dear Malcolm, Eve and Can
Just a brief note to say thank you for the workshop today
Although, unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the whole workshop, I have heard many positive comments on the usefulness, enjoyment and high level of presentation from many of the participants and staff who attended.
I trust that the experience was also enjoyable for you all as workshop leaders and organiser.
Thank you on behalf of St Georges and I wish you all the very best for the rest of the week.
Regards
Chris Gregory
Deputy Headmaster - Academic
Quilmes High School Dear Cecilia and Malcolm,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share such a presentation as we enjoyed at St George´s.
Daniel and team
Speaking in Public is a tool that we use in our daily life regardless of our interests and career. It is therefore primordial that we develop it as thorough as we can in order to convey and transmit our ideas clearly.
The English Speaking Union feels that the promotion of the English Language goes hand in hand with that of Public Speaking and thus they brought Mr. Can Okar and Ms. Eve Hibbert - Keene, two International Public Speaking Experts, to deliver several workshops on how to inform, persuade and inspire through public speaking.
Their workshops were dictated in different ESU Schools. Saint Andrews Scots School had the opportunity to host one of them where we explored specific techniques on how to structure and deliver a speech and we analysed the strengths and weaknesses of a number of different public speakers. Furthermore, we learned how to use different stylistic devices with purpose of emphasizing the content of our speech.
Both students and teachers enjoyed this event very much and has served us as a great opportunity bearing in mind the proximity of the ESU’s Public Speaking Competition on April 28th.
Thanks to Can and Eve for teaching us that Public Speaking is more than a simple tool, it is an art that every man and women can use to communicate, persuade and inspire. The art of speaking in public lies in beating our intrinsic fears and exposing our beliefs out there with the conviction that we will have an impact on our audience.
I hope that everyone in the event has the chance to continue expanding this amazing and powerful form of art.
Juan Nascimbene
Sofia Sengenberger recomended: "Public Speaking Workshop" del Portal de la Escuela Escocesa San Andrés. [view note]
Cecilia;
" El día martes 26 de marzo, visitaron la Universidad Católica Argentina, recorriendo su Campus con el Coordinador del Departamento de Graduados, Dr. Roberto Aras. Posteriomente, se los agasajó con un almuerzo en la Sala San Martín de Tours, al que concurrieron la Directora de las Carreras de Licenciatura y Traductorado en Inglés, Dra. Inés Capurro de Castelli, dos alumnas del último curso de dichas carreras, la Prof. Margarita Broqua -Directora del Departamento de Inglés del Colegio Santo Tomás de Aquino (UCA)-, el Lic. Parsons (ESU Argentina), y el Dr. Aras. Durante el almuerzo se intercambiaron ideas sobre el valor del Public Speaking en la formación de los profesores en inglés y se disfrutó de la conversación sobre la experiencia argentina de los visitantes."
Dear All
Everything went well in the event. All the schools attended and everyone seemed happy with the workshops.
Some people could not come but sent a replacement, one school brought three students that we did not were coming and a teacher from one other school could not come.
There was no technological problem with the computer.
I will be sending the pictures of the event to ESU as soon as I download them from the camera.
To sum up, luckily everything went fine.
Warm Regards
Débora Mc Cormack
Deputy Headmistress Secondary School
St Brendan´s College
Nordbridge Dear Cecilia; We found the workshops VERY useful. The two speakers were wonderful and the idea of giving tips and examples was probably the best part.
We really want to thank you all. It is always a pleasure to attend ESU activities , and it is not only because they are good for our students but also because we do have a good time when we go.
Thank you once again! Best regards.
Norma Gonzalez
Norbridge School
Colegio Palermo Chico Dear Cecilia; My most sincere congratulations on the workshops on Public Speaking. Both speakers were absolutely great and we all had a most fruitful afternoon.
Needless to mention, the camaraderie on behalf of St. Brendan's staff and Ms Litty Mora.
Once again many thanks on behalf of our school for the invitation.
Nora Cavuto
Colegio Palermo Chico
Secondary - Head of English
Belgrano Day School Thanks a lot.
I enjoyed the workshop yesterday at Argentina Modelo.
Thanks
Gladys Lesmi Dallas
Coordinator of English
Middle & Senior School
Dear Cecilia and Malcolm,
On behalf of Escuela Argentina Modelo, I would like to express our appreciation for having been chosen as premises for the global seminar on public speaking. It was a unique occasion that promoted interaction among 8 schools in the downtown area. Heads, coaches and students enjoyed the talent of the ESU Squad.
Thanks again for giving us a chance to improve our skills as global communicators thus promoting a finer understanding of the peoples of the world.
Warm regards,
Nora Mazzini
Head of English
Escuela Argentina Modelo
Dear Cecilia and Malcolm,
I would like to share with you the enthusiastic feedback we had to the esu workshop from our teachers, students and visitors.Trainers have noticed how much students remember in the way they refer to some of the ideas the lecturers presented. They all speak about hexy and going global, regional, local, and personal, how to make better impact on the audience and how to get the pulse of your delivery. Hope this will show in their speeches.We will all be delighted, if they manage to do just a little bit of what Eve and Can can do in the field of Public Speaking.
Thank you very much for such a memorable training session.
Warm regards,
Mrs Nora Mazzini
Head of English
Escuela Argentina Modelo
Colegio Champagnat Cecilia:
Nos encantó el workshop!! Fue una experiencia super enriquecedora.
Gracias por habernos invitado y por favor dale las gracias a Margarita por la hospitalidad.
Florencia
Colegio Champagnat
Other Schools attending at Escuela Argentina Modelo
Dear Malcolm,
Thanks very much for your message.
We also enjoyed the organization of this event, which turned to be successful in attendance and also very interesting.
It is a pleasure for us to work with the ESU Argentina and particularly with Cecilia and yourself. We look forward to many more joint ventures.
Warm regards,
Denise Enright
General Manager
How to help in the Art of Public Speaking
"...Along this practical session, presenters will stress the importance of body language in public speaking and provide insight into how to write speeches that can be light and carry a strong sense of humour to keep the interest of an audience going..."
Geronimo Frigerio (ESU Argentina Alumni – Mansfield College - Oxford)
The presentation on public speaking had a sound balance between key theoretical concepts and practical examples. The importance of building trust, getting to know your audience, pick the rights words to make your message credible, and how to structure a speech were some of the key topics discussed in detail. In addition, the importance of a natural body language, the good use of silences and the significance of smiling were also discussed. These issues give a hint on how much more than how to structure and deliver a good argument was covered by the presentation led by Can Okar.
By the end of the presentation I got a good impression on how difficult public speech is in current times. PowerPoint Presentations have become an ally to avoid the many skills needed to deliver a high quality presentation. The challenge appears to be to learn many of those skills and work on a solid structure that will develop, hopefully, towards the delivery of a well thought presentation that will keep the audience interested.
All in all, the public speaking lecture has been an enriching experience that I am happy to have been part of. I learned much more than I expected to, and left the room with a clear idea of the many thing I need to learn and improve. Public speaking, as emphasized by Can Okar, is arguably one of the key talents professionals will be required to excel in the years to come.
Finally, I would like to express gratitude to the English Speaking Union for putting together this wonderful event and promoting much needed values and skills, such as the ability to communicate with others.
Best regards,
Geronimo Frigerio
Inter-American Development Bank
Country Department Southern Cone
Hello,
I would like to take the opportunity of thanking you for such a well informed workshop yesterday evening. After studying law in Oxford I came to Argentina last year in order to gain legal experience. Alongside such, communication and the study of such has always been an area of interest. I was quite impressed with the study from Mr. Can Okar and was wondering if you may pass on my email in order that I could get in touch.
I thank you again and hope you enjoy the day.
Dear Cecilia,
Thank you very much for allowing me to attend the workshop. I found it extremely interesting and useful. In fact, I am writing to you since one of the presenters offered some activities and he told us to contact ESU in order to receive them. If possible, I would love to have access to them. Thank you very much for your time and have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards,
Christian Palopoli
Head of Senior School
Holy Trinity College
Mar del Plata
The A.S.D.F. (Argentine Schools Debating Federation) and the Universidad de Belgrano would like to thank E.S.U. Argentina and U.K. for having given us the opportunity to attend the workshop on Public Speaking and Debating delivered by Ms Eve Hibbert and Mr Can Okar.
The A.S.D.F. invited its school members to attend a Debate and adjudication seminar which was held at one of the auditoriums of the Universidad de Belgrano. This was a unique opportunity for both our Federation and its members and the Universidad de Belgrano, which hosted 35 judges, teachers and coaches and about forty students.
Ms Hibbert and Mr Okar were extremely clear explaining how to go about in preparing a debate, what to take into account and how to manage the delivery, especially the refutation. Everyone was very pleased and able to ask them all kinds of questions which they very kindly answered.
Welcome lunch with CM of ESU Argentina at the Yacht Club Argentino Sunday March 14th 2010
Charlie Lopez interview ESU Argentina Chairman
two International Public Speaking experts: Mr. Can Okar and Ms. Eve Hibbert - Keene who will deliver workshops on the ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING in the week of March 14. This hands-on workshop specially tailored for both teachers and students will be held at member schools/ member institutions in Capital Federal and different areas of Gran Buenos Aires
No se ha encontrado la película flash
Our Scholars
Winner of NPSC from Escuela Argentina Modelo Mr Fernando Racimo
Fernando Racimo recently appointed editor-in-chief og the Harvard Science Review.
The English Speaking Union, London, is offering ESU Argentina two scholarships, covering tuition, theatre trips, and accommodation (breakfast included) to attend two week-long Shakespeare Seminars which will be held in London and in Stratford-upon-Avon in August 2010.
Your most experienced secondary school Literature teachers will be able to apply and, if chosen, attend a week of Shakespeare plays, lectures, discussions, and workshops devised and delivered by Shakespearean experts.
Please, go to www.esu.org.ar for last years´s report, programme and new application form and do not hesitate to contact me for further information.
NOTICE: deadline has been postponed to Monday, May 10th and new forwarding address due to the fact that our previous address has been “hacked” and caused delays. Thank you.
Stock-Farming Experience in “Barwise”
Kai Philipp Riecke
Between the 22 of March and 11 of April I had been living and helping on a Farm in UK called Barwise. This Farm is in the north of England, in Appleby in Westmorland. It has a very nice landscape with hills and mountains in the background. I lived there with Carolyn and Frank Fletcher. Two very kind and open persons.
Barwise is a 150 ha big farm used for breeding cattle. They breed Hereford, Belted Galloway and Aberdeen Angus. The cattle are kept in pens during the winter until the summer when the soil is dry enough to let the cattle go out without compacting the soil. The cattle are fed basically with grass silage and hay.
I spent most of my time feeding the cattle, washing some of the show cattle, cleaning their pens, building new fence lines, observing the cows that were ready for calving and helping with various other Jobs on the farm using always their ATV and their big tractors. I was also very lucky to join for three days the vet team, which looks after Barwise´s cattle. I was able to see many Diary farms and learn a lot about cattle health and fertility.
All in all it was a very enriching experience to learn about farming in the UK and to take notes about stock-farming differences between Argentina and UK. Living with Carolyn and Frank was very nice. They made me feel very comfortable and Carolyn´s cooking was very tasty as well as their meat! It was big experience, I hope I could visit them again in the future!
Dear Member,
Re: International Summer Conference 8th – 14th August 2010, Mansfield College, Oxford
The English Speaking Union Dartmouth House has invited candidates from Argentina to apply for sponsorship to attend this year’s “International Relations Conference” at Mansfield College, Oxford, England.
Details of the conference are included on a separate attachment and it can be seen that the successful applicant will be given a unique opportunity to take part in a conference, which will focus on topics of worldwide importance. Over thirty countries will be represented so the candidate will gain an insight into the international perspective on Britain today.
The average age of participants is between 30 and 35 but those as young as 22 have also attended. We would not recommend undergraduates participating. Young people of all professions will be taking part.
The scholarship covers all costs while at Mansfield College (lectures, receptions, visits, accommodation and meals) but does not cover the return travel costs to and from Oxford. These costs shall be paid by the applicant.
If you are interested, complete the enclosed application form and return it before the end of business of Friday, 30th April, to Ms. Amelia Sola at AS@RMLex.com
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Malcolm Rodman
Chairman
The English-Speaking Union de Argentina
Patricia S. Schroeder - Elected Chairman of
The English-Speaking Union
of the United States.
The other night we invited Patricia S. Schroeder - Elected Chairman of the English Specking Union –USA- out to dinner with Malcom Rodman - Chairman ESU Arg – and Eric Campbell –
She is an enchanting person and came to dinner with her husband and three other friends who were travelling with her. Of course, we took them to a Parrilla, namely Fervor on Posadas as they were staying at a nearby Hotel. They really enjoyed their dinner and tried some of the local Achuras and then had a beatifull Bife. Their interest, apart from the ESU was on what we thought about our government and some of the measures they had taken regarding Pensioners and how we saw the future of Our Country. They also wanted to see an Ombu, so we told them to go to The Botanical Gardens, and later found out there is one on Plaza Lavalle in front of the Courthouses. The dinner went off very well, as they made up a lovely group and we were told tovisit them if we go to the States.
Michael Rattagan Deputy Chair of ESU Argentina meeting in Paris with Mme Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil National President of ESU France .
19/02/2010
Harry Cloke Oxfordshire Working at the moment at "Holy Trinity" College
Mar del Plata
-
Visit to "Las Mercedes" - "Piray Mini "SA -
Balcarce
For the first week of the New Year, I was kindly invited to a modern 2500 acre ranch 80km from Mar Del Plata, which was a welcome change from living in a city for the 6 months since I had arrived in Argentina. I spent the week following a friend slightly younger than me,Kai Philipp Riecke being taught to use everything I could lay my hands on, and taking note of the differences between English and Argentine farming. Since I was over the moon just to be spending the week around dogs again, it was hard not to have a great time; I spent a lot of time driving their largest tractor of many laden with 15 tons of wheat in the trailer behind doing runs between the fields and silos, clearing up fallen trees, rounding up cattle, helping with various other jobs on the farm, and even riding bareback. I was also lucky enough to watch and help a bit when vets came for a test run of inseminating cattle. The people were all very welcoming and the diet of a lot of meat with salad was greatly appreciated too. All in all it was a great experience to take back with me to Oxford, especially as it was a diverse farm based on an intensive European model, growing various crops such as soy, wheat, maize and sunflowers, as well as large numbers of cattle. My many thanks go to the Rodman family for putting me in contact with the owners of the farm. I hope to go back there in winter to learn more about the differences between the seasons.
If the concept of “Cool Britannia” was a strong selling-point in the Tony Blair success story, climate change has made the world anything but cool for his successor as prime minister, Gordon Brown. Less than three weeks away from the Copenhagen global conference on climate change, British Ambassador Shan Morgan could hardly have chosen a more timely topic for the annual business luncheon of the English-Speaking Union (ESU) last Tuesday.
Throughout her speech Morgan was at pains to present the issue as an opportunity as much as a problem, She described climate change as “my top personal priority” since arriving here almost a year ago and among the big four for London’s Foreign Office alongside counter-terrorism, conflict resolution and developing effective international institutions. And nor is British Foreign Secretary David Milliband a lone voice here — the recent disappearance of an entire village in a flash flood has really awoken public awareness.
Environmental concern was not just “tree-hugging,” she said, but a profoundly economic issue with alarming implications for agricultural drought, strain on buildings and many other aspects. British economist Lord Stern has been a pioneer in quantifying this economic cost, estimating that it could cost as much as 20 percent of global production by mid-century — to place this in context, the acute international crisis of the past year is expected to cost between two and four percent of global production.
And because this is a global problem (greenhouse gases do not respect borders), Britain is looking at the whole world including Argentina — London is helping to finance a CEPAL/Fundación Bariloche study on the economic impact of climate change for Argentina, with input from British ministerial experts.
Britain (responsible for two percent of global emissions) has a “historic responsibility” as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and has more than complied with the Kyoto Protocol with the firm commitment to reduce emissions by 80 percent by mid-century. But action is needed from the United States, China, Brazil and the rest of the European Union if emissions are to be halved as urged by the world’s top scientists — otherwise all countries will suffer together.
In Morgan’s view, this global scourge is especially relevant to Argentina both as a threat and as an opportunity. The South American region as a whole is vulnerable, according to Britain’s Hadley Centre, with scenarios of Amazon drought, the disappearance of Andean glaciers, sagging farm productions and extreme weather events in general. Argentina certainly knows all about drought and an acute lack of water is forecast for the Cuyo region in particular.
But switching to renewable sources of energy is an investment as much as a cost, said Morgan — all these new technologies will require new industries and the creation of “green jobs” will spur growth while important sums would be saved from expensive fossil fuel bills (not to mention public health from less urban pollution). As Brown has pointed out, those switching first will reap important advantages from these growth areas of the future.
If the City of London has become a world leader in the carbon trading emerging from the Kyoto Protocol, the finances to pay for this transition to a low-carbon economy will flow from developed to developing countries (to the tune of 100 billion dollars by 2020 according to Brown) — and this can only benefit Argentina. And, as always, Argentina has its natural advantages such as some of the windiest places on the planet.
Looking ahead to Copenhagen, Morgan warned her audience from expecting everything from this event which could only be a milestone at best — but she also warned them against resigning themselves to the impossibility of a deal in Denmark, as frequently forecast in the press. While a final legal treaty looked improbable, it was consensus which really mattered and that looked eminently possible, judging from the statements of the US, Chinese, Indian and Brazilian leaders.
Yet she also stressed that this negotiation would not be easy (“if it was, then a global deal would have been achieved a long time ago”) and that there were many voices to urge that tackling global recession came first. But that logic was fallacious, Morgan insisted — inaction was too expensive while action now would speed up the new opportunities for the future (“opportunities that can drive economic growth, promote social development and create jobs”).
Based on Britain’s experience, Morgan said that the next stage in Argentina was to spread awareness via the media and civil society, also highlighting that “this is an opportunity, not just a threat.” In Britain the issue had seemed too technically difficult for much of the population and had encountered widespread skepticism — now there was a national consensus that this issue is “too important to ignore.”
Asked by the Herald if organic farming and windmills would suffice for a world population expected to reach nine billion in the next 30 years, Morgan admitted the need for nuclear power — she also touched on the problem of agricultural emissions in feeding the world of the future.
Her speech was preceded by Gerónimo Frigerio from the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), the recipient of an ESU scholarship to attend a week of international debate at Mansfield College, Oxford. Frigerio said he had expected a politically correct consensus and was startled by the frank discussion of global thinking versus local action, the future of Western dominance with the rise of China, development, poverty, corruption, etc.
Morgan was introduced by ESU president Malcolm Rodman, who said that the shadow of drought in the four last harvests should make the urgency of climate change evident, even if day-to-day politics always seemed to take priority.
The guest speaker was accompanied by fellow-ambassadors Lucy Duncan (New Zealand), Philomena Murnaghan (Ireland) and Tony Leon (South Africa) as well as the US Embassy attaché for the environment, science and technology, Russell Menyhart; also representatives of HSBC Bank and British Airways and such luminaries of the English language world as Ofelia Veltri and Litty Mora.
Institutional
The presentation on public speaking had a sound balance between key theoretical concepts and practical examples. The importance of building trust, getting to know your audience, pick the rights words to make your message credible, and how to structure a speech were some of the key topics discussed in detail. In addition, the importance of a natural body language, the good use of silences and the significance of smiling were also discussed. These issues give a hint on how much more than how to structure and deliver a good argument was covered by the presentation led by Can Okar. 
The other night we invited Patricia S. Schroeder - Elected Chairman of the English Specking Union –USA- out to dinner with Malcom Rodman - Chairman ESU Arg – and Eric Campbell – 
Environmental concern was not just “tree-hugging,” she said, but a profoundly economic issue with alarming implications for agricultural drought, strain on buildings and many other aspects. British economist Lord Stern has been a pioneer in quantifying this economic cost, estimating that it could cost as much as 20 percent of global production by mid-century — to place this in context, the acute international crisis of the past year is expected to cost between two and four percent of global production.
And because this is a global problem (greenhouse gases do not respect borders), Britain is looking at the whole world including Argentina — London is helping to finance a CEPAL/Fundación Bariloche study on the economic impact of climate change for Argentina, with input from British ministerial experts.
Britain (responsible for two percent of global emissions) has a “historic responsibility” as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and has more than complied with the Kyoto Protocol with the firm commitment to reduce emissions by 80 percent by mid-century. But action is needed from the United States, China, Brazil and the rest of the European Union if emissions are to be halved as urged by the world’s top scientists — otherwise all countries will suffer together.
