Current situation and perspectives of school libraries in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America, with an area of 51,100 square kilometers and a population of 2,192,410 inhabitants. The highest percentage of national budget, 26.73%, is dedicated to education. There are currently 360 kindergarten, schools and 317 colleges 3001, considering the different modes: academic, technical, agricultural, industrial, craft and art. These figures mean a huge effort for Costa Rican society is worth now the question what the country looks so large an investment? and what role school libraries are doing in achieving the goals of Education of Costa Rica? I believe unequivocally that those who lead us today reciprocated school libraries, we encourage the same spirit that is well expressed in the famous document UNESCO1. "Learning to Be".

LOS PELIGROS DEL DOBLE DISCURSO. DE LO INTERNACIONAL A LO LOCAL: El caso de la propuesta “Costa Rica Carbono Neutral - 2021”

Resumen Este trabajo analiza algunos aspectos de las negociaciones e iniciativas que intentan enfrentar el cambio climático a nivel internacional, poniendo énfasis en los mecanismos de compensación y la creación de los mercados de carbono, su significado en relación a  la creación de “derechos de propiedad sobre la contaminación de la atmósfera” y en relación a la efectividad  que estos esquemas tienen para  enfrentar el Cambio Climático. Asimismo, se analiza su vinculación con la propuesta del actual gobierno de Costa Rica (Oscar Arias Sánchez, 2006-2010) denominada “Costa Rica, Carbono Neutral para el año 2021” y su pertinencia para enfrentar el Cambio Climático en nuestro país.  Abstract This document analyzes some aspects of the international negotiations and initiatives that intent to face out Climate Change. It put emphasis on the offset mechanisms and carbon markets, their meaning in terms of the creation of “property” over the atmosphere contamination rights and in term of their efficiency to face the Climate Change.  It also analyzes the relationship of these initiatives with the actual Costa Rican Government (Oscar Arias Sánchez, 2006-2010) proposal, named “Costa Rica, Carbon Neutral 2021” and its adequacy to confront Climate Change in the country.

LA REFORMA ECONÓMICA Y SU IMPACTO SOCIAL EN COSTA RICA DURANTE EL PERÍODO DE AJUSTE ESTRUCTURAL: apuntes críticos para el análisis

Resumen El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la reforma económica implementada en Costa Rica en los últimos veinticinco años como resultado de la aplicación de los programas y políticas de ajuste estructural. Para tal efecto se analiza el debate que acompañó el proceso de aprobación e implementación de los mencionados programas, el discurso de los mismos, su desempeño y algunos de sus principales efectos sociales. Esta reforma económica representó un cambio importante en el estilo de desarrollo y en las funciones del estado social vigentes desde la década de los 1950s. De ahí que resulte de gran interés analizar cuál fue el nuevo enfoque de desarrollo que se implementó a partir de la década de los años ochenta y los resultados del mismo en materia de crecimiento económico y equidad social. Esta publicación pretende servir de insumo para promover la tarea académica de repensar la política de desarrollo que la sociedad costarricense debe definir dentro del nuevo contexto de la globalización.   Abstract The objective of this article is to analyze the economic reform implemented in Costa Rica in the last twenty-five years as result of the application of the structural adjustment programs and policies. For such effect we analyze the debate that accompanied the process of approval and implementation of the mentioned programs, the speech of such, its performance and some of its main social effects. This economic reform represented an important change in the style of development and in the current functions of the social state from the decade of 1950s. Hence it results of big interest to analyze which was the new approach of development that was implemented from the decade of the eighties and the results of the same one on the subject of economic growth and social equity.This publication tries to serve as input to promote the academic task of rethinking the politics of development that the Costa Rican society must define inside the new context of the globalization.

COMPETITIVIDAD INTERNACIONAL DE COSTA RICA: ANÁLISIS DE LOS RESULTADOS DEL CAN

Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar los resultados de la matriz de competitividad y sus implicaciones para la economía costarricense, mediante la aplicación del Analysis of Nations (CAN), el cual es un instrumento computacional y base de datos de comercio internacional.Dentro de los resultados se observó, que en el mercado meta “países del mundo”, los trece productos seleccionados, representaron un 45,3 % del valor total de exportaciones en 1998. Adicionalmente el 17,2% de este porcentaje, se clasificaron como dinámicos y competitivos, el 48,9 % se catalogaron como estacionarios y no competitivos, el 5,8 % son estacionarios competitivos, y los dinámicos no competitivos representaron el 28,1%. El índice de adaptabilidad muestra que esta economía ha disminuido su nivel de especialización y su cuota de mercado, lo cual indica que los productos analizados no se adaptaron bien a las condiciones imperantes en el mercado mundial. ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes the results of the competitiveness array and its implications for Costa Rican Economy, after applying the Competitive Analysis of Nations (CAN), a software for international trade database. This instrument makes a diagnosis of the competitiveness situation in Costa Rica and it’s a fundamental base, so it can be make a competitiveness indicator for the economy.The results showed that the thirteen selected products represented a 45,3% of the 1998 total exports. Additionally, 17,2% of these products were classify as dynamic and competitive sectors, 48,9% are steady and no competitive sectors and 5.8% are steady and competitive. Finally, the dynamics products that are no competitive represent a 28.1%. Additionally, the adaptability index shows that the economy has decrease its level of specialization and its market share. This result indicates that these products does not have a good adaptation to the market conditions.

María Eugenia Dengo Obregón: vislumbre del pensamiento filosófico y humanista de su obra

María Eugenia Dengo es una de las principales pensadoras y educadoras del siglo XX, su obra está sumergida en una serie de ideas filosóficas y humanistas que le permitieron vislumbrar algunas de las necesidades educativas costarricenses. Con el estudio y seguimiento de varios filósofos costarricenses, empezando con su padre Omar Dengo, su tesis basada en los poemas de Roberto Brenes Mesén y de la mano con Dra. Emma Gamboa, inició un largo camino en la investigación educativa con cimentos humanistas. Palabras claves: María Eugenia Dengo, educación, humanismo, pensadores/as costarricenses, ideas filosóficas costarricenses. Abstract María Eugenia Dengo is one of the most outstanding thinkers and teachers of the 20th. Century in Costa Rica. Her work, developed throughout her philosophical and humanistic thinking, fulfilled some of the most urgent educational needs of the country. Throughout the study of several Costa Rican thinkers, starting by his own father, Omar Dengo, followed by her thesis dissertation on Roberto Brenes Mesén poems and side by side with Dr. Emma Gamboa, Dengo set off the road in educational research and its humanistic foundations. Key words: Maria Eugenia Dengo, Education, Humanism, Costa Rican thinkers, Costa Rican philosophical tought

Un pájaro azul en Costa Rica: la función de la traducción de L’Oiseau bleu en la Costa Rica de 1912

El estudio procura desvelar la función de El pájaro azul (traducción de Roberto Brenes Mesén) dentro del contexto histórico en que surge. Tras describir y analizar las especificidades ideológicas, sociales y literarias de contexto, individuos y textos involucrados, se concluye que la traducción pudo haber funcionado como un instrumento para promover cambios ideológicos, sociales y estéticos dentro de la sociedad costarricense de principios del siglo veinte.This study seeks to describe the role of El pájaro azul (translated by Roberto Brenes Mesén) when it first appeared in Costa Rica in 1912. A description is provided of the ideological, social and literary features present in the context, and of the agents and texts involved in the production of El pájaro azul. The analysis of these features makes it possible to state that the text is likely to have been an instrument used to promote ideological, social and aesthetic changes within the 20th century Costa Rican society.

Bibliografía comentada de Carmen Naranjo

Presenta una bibliografía comentada de las obras de la escritora costarricense Carmen Naranjo. La bibliografía está dividida en textos de la escritora (clasificados como narrativa, poesía, teatro, ensayo, artículos de periódicos, obras variadas, obras inéditas, traducciones autorizadas, premios, distinciones y puestos relevantes) y una crítica de su obra.

Sobre el poema en prosa en Costa Rica

Se describe y analiza el cultivo y desarrollo del poema en prosa en las letras costarricenses, considerando que no ha sido objeto de suficiente atención por parte de la crítica. Una vez expuestos los aspectos históricos, conceptuales y teóricos, y la procedencia europea de esta modalidad discursiva, se exploran sus manifestaciones desde sus orígenes, a finales del siglo XIX, y el desarrollo posterior hasta sus manifestaciones en la literatura contemporánea.The development and evolution of prose poetry in Costa Rica is described and analyzed in view of the fact that critics have not given it the attention it deserves. A discussion of historical, conceptual and theoretical aspects, together with the European origins of this genre, provides the basis to explore its appearance around the end of the 19th century, and its later development up to the present time.

Dyslipidemia and blood lipid levels in patients tratied in primary care centers in east SAN JOSE

Dyslipidemia, i.e. high levels of blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), is strongly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In order to reduce the risk of CVD at any moment in a person ́s life, it is crucial to know his/her –and the population’s– lipid profile. The aim of this study was to assess the (statistical) indicators of blood lipids and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients treated in the Integral Health Attention Program from Universidad de Costa Rica. A descriptive study was conducted including 10,044 patients aged 20 to 65 years, who were tested for a blood lipid profile in 2006. A total of 2,969 (29.6%) male and 7,075 (70.4%) female patients took part in the study, with an average age of 43.5 years. General averages for blood lipids were: 203.3 mg/dl for total cholesterol, 50.1 mg/dl for HDL, 120.1 mg/dl for LDL, and 165.6 mg/dl for triglycerides. Prevalence of 17.2% was determined for hypercholesterolemia (≥240 mg/dl), as well as 21.3% for low HDL levels (<40 mg/dl), 11.9% for high LDL levels (≥160 mg/dl), and 26.3% for high triglyceride levels (≥200 mg/dl). Women showed higher overall levels of dyslipidemia than men. Based on health areas, no significant differences were found in general lipid levels by age or sex. Results indicate that the general prevalence of dyslipidemia is close to half the rate reported in worldwide literature and lower than results reported in Costa Rican studies. However, general averages exceeded optimal levels for each blood lipid; consequently, it is important to develop health interventions oriented to reduce the impact of dyslipidemia in the studied population.

Playgrounds: Safe designs and infrastructures for our children… an urgent matter in Costa Rica

The purpose of this article is to offer the design and infrastructure parameters necessary to have safe playgrounds since they represent a unique opportunity to foster an integral development, particularly in children.  In these public places, children learn to resolve conflicts to continue playing, having fun, and developing.  These recreational areas then become learning places that foster the formation process and provide great social, emotional, physical, cognitive, intellectual, and spiritual benefits.  However, such benefits are diminished by the lack of interest of the communities and the adult population to optimize playground conditions and by unscrupulous developers, who design playgrounds in inappropriate places putting the population at risk.  Therefore, the following must be taken seriously into consideration before, during, and after the construction of a playground: design, construction, materials, equipment, components and the procedures to meet the necessary safety requirements and the objective for which they were created, that being an area designed, equipped, and located exclusively for playing that facilitates the integral development of the population.  Consequently, it is urgent for Costa Rica to enact clear regulations that guarantee the construction, design, and use of playgrounds that do not put the population’s health at risk, prevent accidents, and guarantee the inalienable rights of each Costa Rican.

Perspectiva subjetiva de la calidad de vida del adulto mayor, diferencias ligadas al género y a la práctica de la actividad físico recreativa

El propósito de este estudio fue conocer la relación entre las variables (soporte social, autonomía, salud mental, actividad físico recreativa) que integran la perspectiva subjetiva de la calidad de vida, ligadas al género en personas adultas mayores costarricenses. Además, conocer el principal motivo de estos sujetos para realizar la actividad física y el beneficio percibido por estos, de acuerdo al género. En este estudio participaron 152 sujetos (92 mujeres y 60 hombres) con edades entre los  60 a 75 años, de 21 centros diurnos, a los cuales se les aplicó dos instrumentos: un cuestionario  de calidad de vida (INISA,1994) y una encuesta sobre actividad física recreativa. Los resultados mostraron relación significativa entre las variables autonomía y soporte social; autonomía y estado mental; autonomía  y frecuencia de la actividad; autonomía y duración. Asimismo, en lo que respecta al género; la depresión geriátrica fue superior en las mujeres (F=5.86). La salud fue el motivo principal para realizar la actividad física y los beneficios principales de ésta para ambos géneros fueron, el sentirse más reanimados, más alegres, con energía, y el alivio de dolores. Se concluye, que la calidad de vida (soporte social, autonomía, salud mental)  percibida por el adulto mayor no difiere en lo que respecta al género e incluso en el motivo o beneficio para hacer actividad física, excepto en lo que respecta a la depresión, la cual se presenta con mayor frecuencia en las mujeres. Se comprueba que la actividad física recreativa le permite obtener al adulto mayor resultados positivos entre más cantidad de veces y  de tiempo por  semana le  dedique.

Towards modern municipal sports and recreation management in Costa Rica

Sports and recreation management is addressed here using a model that combines the policies and methodologies applied in the Costa Rican context as a result of a concern to identify the real needs in the sports, recreation, and health promotion fields through the different manifestations of human movement.  This approach has been developed during eight years of work in the Costa Rican Sports and Recreation Institute (Instituto Costarricense del Deporte y la Recreación-ICODER) together with different Costa Rican communities, both rural and urban, and local organizations, such as Comprehensive Development Community Associations, Sports and Recreation Community Boards (CCDR), Municipal Mayorships, and NGOs, among others.  This article particularly takes into consideration the experience of the CCDRs as entities that have been given the responsibility by the Costa Rican Government to promote and manage municipal sports and recreation services with a convenient offering that would meet the needs of users or customers.  In this way, this article is aimed at answering the question on how Boards should conduct an efficient management in a way that they also meet the needs of public users or customers in the municipalities of the country, by proposing a management model that serves as an additional instrument to improving the already existing services managed by the aforementioned entities.  This study presents a model of Costa Rican management structured with the theoretical elements that currently define the organization and planning of sports and recreation as a service.

Morbidity and temporary cycles for the outpatient service at Universidad Estatal a Distancia in Costa Rica

No data has apparently been published on morbidity and outpatient service of faculty and staff of a distance university.  This report presents such data from the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (Costa Rican State University for Distance Education). The participants in this study were the employees who were outpatients between January 15, 2004 and December 15, 2006.  Instead of using a sample, the entire population was studied with a total of 1,526 medical records. Procedure: During the first stage all of the medical records were read and the morbidity data was tabulated.  Subsequently, this information was statistically analyzed using Statgraphics Centurion XV. The main findings were that 50% of the patients used the outpatient service only once during the study period and that most of them were between 20 and 50 years of age.  The days with the most consultations were Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.  The number of consultations was relatively stable throughout the year, with a slight increase in June. The three main causes for visiting the service were: upper respiratory tract diseases, muscular-skeletal disorders, and irritated digestive system problems. Main conclusions: Most of the consultations were from the departments with the more faculty and staff members; however, some departments had extremely high or low consultation rates per capita, maybe due to factors such as pathologies that require periodic control, geographical proximity, and psycho-social issues of patients who create a vicious circle due to the somatization of such problems.  The hypothesis that this population’s morbidity rate would differ from the national average because of its high educational level was rejected.  Nevertheless, the hypothesis that there are weekly and yearly cycles was maintained.

Learning math through movement: physical education as another alternative

The purpose of this study was to determine the cognitive effects of applying physical recreational activities to two groups of pre-school students, related to mathematics to one of the groups and recreational games to the other.  A total of 27 subjects (13 girls and 14 boys) of 5 and a half and 6 and half years of age participated in the study.  The instrument used was a questionnaire including basic math concepts such as geometry, basic operations with concrete elements, and how to read the clock, based on the topics established by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education.  Once the instrument was developed, a plan of physical recreational activities related to math was prepared and applied to the experimental group (pre-school B) for one and a half months, while the other group played recreational games.  Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.  Positive and significant effects were found in the physical recreational activity program regarding student performance in 10 of the 12 items that were applied to assess mastery of basic math concepts.  In conclusion, using physical education as another instrument to teach other disciplines represents an excellent alternative for pre-school teachers that try to satisfy the learning needs of children that will soon be attending school.  Using movement as part of guided and planned activities plays an indispensable role in children’s lives; therefore, learning academic subjects should be adapted to their needs to explore and know their environment.

El relevo de género en la elaboración alfarera. El caso de las comunidades Guaitil y San Vicente, provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Resumen El artículo presenta un breve recorrido por la historia reciente de las comunidades alfareras costarricenses de Guaitil y San Vicente, en la región Chorotega. Profundiza en el cambio intergeneracional y el relevo de género que comprometen el mantenimiento de esta tradición ancestral. Asimismo introduce la importancia que tienen los sellos de calidad diferenciada por territorio, como las denominaciones de origen (DO): una herramienta de rescate, valoración y protección de estos saberes culturales. El aporte al conocimiento de la actividad alfarera en Guaitil y San Vicente presenta datos de un censo realizado por el centro especializado CadenAgro de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA) en los talleres artesanos. La información obtenida muestra un panorama para la gestión a largo plazo de la DO que garantice el mantenimiento de las prácticas culturales de las comunidades artesanas. Abstract The article presents a brief overview of the recent history of potter Costa Rican communities Guaitil and San Vicente, in the Chorotega region. It deepen is intergenerational change and gender relay involving the maintenance of this ancient tradition. It also introduces the importance of quality labels differentiated by territory, as designations of origin (DO): a rescue tool, valuation and protection of this cultural knowledge. The contribution to knowledge of the activity of pottery in San Vicente and Guaitil presents data from a census conducted by the specialized center CadenAgro of the National University of Costa Rica (UNA) in artisan workshops. The information obtained shows an overview for long-term management of DO to ensure the maintenance of the cultural practices of artisan communities.