Glossary
Child Labor Exploitation
The illegal or harmful employment of children in work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their schooling, and is dangerous or detrimental to their well-being.
Example:
Child labor exploitation often prevents young people from attending school, trapping families in a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities.
Deslizamientos de tierra
Spanish term for landslides, which are the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope, often triggered by heavy rainfall or earthquakes.
Example:
Heavy rains in mountainous regions can trigger dangerous deslizamientos de tierra, blocking roads and destroying homes.
Diaspora
A scattered population whose origin lies in a separate geographic locale, often due to forced migration or voluntary movement, maintaining cultural ties to their homeland.
Example:
The Venezuelan diaspora has grown significantly as people seek refuge and better living conditions in neighboring countries.
Domestic Violence
Violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the abuse of a spouse, partner, or other family members.
Example:
Laws are being strengthened in many Latin American countries to combat domestic violence and protect victims, though enforcement remains a challenge.
Huracanes
Spanish term for hurricanes, which are large, rotating storm systems characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall, forming over tropical or subtropical waters.
Example:
After a devastating huracán, communities often face long periods of recovery and rebuilding, impacting infrastructure and livelihoods.
Immigration
The action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country, often driven by economic hardship, violence, or political instability in one's homeland.
Example:
Economic opportunities and safety often serve as strong pull factors for immigration to more developed countries.
Incendios forestales
Spanish term for forest fires or wildfires, which are uncontrolled fires that occur in wildland areas, often exacerbated by drought and human activity.
Example:
Prolonged droughts can increase the risk of widespread incendios forestales, threatening ecosystems, biodiversity, and human settlements.
Inundaciones
Spanish term for floods, which are an overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land.
Example:
Coastal cities are increasingly at risk of inundaciones due to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, displacing many residents.
Machismo
A strong sense of masculine pride and a belief in the superiority of men, often leading to patriarchal attitudes and behaviors in society.
Example:
The cultural concept of machismo can unfortunately contribute to gender inequality and domestic violence in some communities.
Malnutrition
A condition resulting from a diet that does not provide adequate nutrients for proper health and development, leading to deficiencies or excesses.
Example:
Many children in developing countries suffer from malnutrition due to limited access to diverse and nutrient-rich food sources.
Maquiladoras
Factories in Mexico, often located near the U.S. border, that are operated by a foreign company and export their products to the country of that company, benefiting from lower labor costs.
Example:
Many young people move to border cities in Mexico seeking work in maquiladoras, hoping for better economic prospects and stable employment.
Natural Disasters
Catastrophic events caused by natural processes of the Earth, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which can cause widespread destruction.
Example:
Countries in the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to the devastating impact of natural disasters like hurricanes, requiring extensive recovery efforts.
Quality Education
Education that is effective, relevant, and provides students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for personal development and societal contribution.
Example:
Access to quality education is crucial for breaking cycles of poverty and fostering economic growth and social mobility in a region.
Reliable Energy
Consistent and uninterrupted access to electricity or other power sources, essential for daily life, economic activity, and public services.
Example:
Without reliable energy, hospitals struggle to power essential medical equipment, and students cannot study after dark.
Rural Exodus
The large-scale migration of people from rural areas to urban areas, typically driven by economic factors like the search for employment and better services.
Example:
The rural exodus in many Latin American countries has led to rapid urbanization and increased pressure on city resources and infrastructure.
Stunting
Impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. It is a chronic form of malnutrition.
Example:
The long-term effects of stunting can include reduced cognitive ability and lower educational attainment, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
Terremotos
Spanish term for earthquakes, which are sudden and violent shakings of the ground, often causing great destruction and loss of life.
Example:
Chile frequently experiences powerful terremotos due to its location on a major tectonic plate boundary, necessitating robust building codes.