The American Congress ended a trade agreement with Bolivia, Columbia, and Ecuador, and in response the Columbian government has extended subsidies and sought a Free Trade Agreement with the US, all of which points to Columbia seeking political alternatives to US-Columbian relations.

FORO writes,

A host of factors led to the social uprisings in the Middle East in 2011, triggered in part by rising food prices; Bolivia, which also experienced unrest in that period, exhibits many of these factors and highlights vulnerability in itself and in the region.

Gonzalo Alcade of FORO writes,

Countries that rely heavily on food imports and foreign oil are particularly sensitive to food price spikes, which helped catalyze Middle East and Bolivia unrest (see Middle East unrest holds lessons for South America: indicators for political vulnerability) Such dependence limits the government’s ability to shield the poor, which is a short-term strategy regardless. Investing in agricultural innovation and energy strategies that don’t rely on subsidies will be key for long-term stability.

Gonzalo Alcade of FORO writes,

A labor training program aims at improving employment opportunities for youth, who typically are both relatively under-employed and in precarious jobs. The program has already benefited many youth and companies, and the model holds promise for future private sector collaboration.

Data from national surveys shows that the situation for youth employment in South America is precarious, and partly in light of Middle East instability, governments need to implement public-private measures to improve labor conditions for youth.

Fernando Prada of FORO writes,

Data from national surveys confirms that South American labor markets have improved along with the economies in the region. Table 1 shows three trends in labor markets for youths.

Some market-oriented countries, particularly Peru, have created a lending climate supportive of micro-enterprise, not only opening financing channels but including advisory and incubator services. This can help create employment opportunities for educated youth.

Fernando Prada of FORO writes,

MOCICC is a Peruvian citizen’s movement with a network of sophisticated actors oriented around understanding climate change and pressuring government to live up to its plans. The movement highlights the central governance and civil society capacities that equitable climate change adaptation will require: coordinated action, transparency, and support of international cooperation organizations.

FORO interviews Mr. Jose Ricapa, coordinator of the Communications Campaign Commission at MOCICC:

An ambitious program to close the housing gap in Venezuela is off track and unlikely to succeed for three core reasons. These help highlight the limitations of centralized, publically-financed solutions in providing effective measures to mitigate effects of climate change.

FORO writes,

In 2010, President launched a relief effort to eliminate the housing gap by 2017, known as Misión Vivienda Venezuela (MVV). This program will build an average of 250,000 houses per year.

A new agricultural institution in Peru mimics traditional practices to help disseminate irrigation technology that both preserves soil nutrients and lets farmers harvest off-season.

FORO writes,

Columbia has recently established a fund to develop mitigation and adaptation programs, and it has a set of relevant research and policy recommendations from international cooperation agencies at its disposal. Floods have already cost Columbia in lives, property, and money, and more pro-active measures could reduce further destruction.

FORO writes,