Testimoniales empresariales

Eunice Ñañez, CI Swcol International

Extranjeros Egipto, Australia, Inglaterra, Italia

"Escucharte el viernes pasado fue tan grato y enriquecedor como siempre... sigues construyendo país en cada palabra sembrada... He sabido que el grupo del CISV, que ahora está en Barichara, viajó con el espíritu expectante por el país que estaban descubriendo, y el resultado parcial al día de hoy, es que las palabras han sido escasas para expresar las bellezas que han encontrado en su recorrido. Adicionalmente hay que comentar que el paisaje y las actividades al aire libre les han permitido verificar lo que les contaste y además y quizá lo más importante les ha enseñado el camino para apreciar la verdadera Colombia…"

Andreas P. Wespi

"Sin duda ha sido interesante e impresionante para mí, ver al entusiasmo y a la identificación total de Pedro Medina con Colombia en su presentación en Lausanne el otro día. También fui contento de ver tantos colombianos en Suiza que quieren adoptar y vivir su mensaje. Yo como extranjero también creo en Colombia y sé que el país tiene mucho que ofrecer. Para mi profesión cuentan muchas de las razones por las que Colombia es Pasión, sobre todo lo que he podido sentir mucho que al colombiano le apasiona ser anfitrión"

Hephzi Pemberton

"Thank you for your inspiring presentation, discussion and engagement with our group tonight. It was a privilege to have met you and to hear you speak in person about your experiences and your ethics on life. I hope that the venue wasn't too noisy for you and that you enjoyed your time as much as we did. It was a great start to what I'm sure will be a great term. Thank you for making that beginning possible"

Maria Grazia Perrotta, Inglaterra

"My name is Maria Grazia Perrotta and I'm an A-Level Spanish student at the Ursulien High School in Wimbledon, London. I hope to go to university next year and study Hispanic studies. I really enjoyed your talk on Colombia as I thought you really informed young students in an interactive way which helped learn about Colombia and South America and put asides all the stereotypes

Rachel Anderson, Insight Publications

"I have decided that after much travelling with my job I would like to stay and live in Colombia and I am looking for a work opportunity here in the country. I am experienced in the communications field and investment promotion internationally"

Maasdorp, Paul

Thanks again for meeting with us during our visit to Colombia, we all found it extremely interesting and informative. What did you like and dislike most about Colombia? In my several visits to Colombia, I have developed numerous loves. To mention the most important few: the warm friendly culture, the warm weather, the exquisite countryside, the exquisite ladies (one in particular), the delicious and diverse food, a strong work ethic, and trend of young people to be proud of their country and want to return.

To move from generalities into specifics: the Rosary Islands are one of my  favorite places in the world; pie de Coco ranks as one of my favorite dishes; the Yatch Club in Cartagena is an incredible setting for dinner with a great menu and a delicious mojito; and I'm impressed by the strong family values and interconnectedness of the culture (I can only really speak to the Colombian elite culture here).

2. 45 second sell of the Colombia: It's a beautiful country, vibrant culture, and large parts of the country are completely safe to visit. I've been there three times and intend to go again.

John Cabra

"It was great to receive an email from you. I appreciate your effort in helping me with my research. As per your question, I plan on submitting my thesis in September. I hope to defend it soon afterwards. As promised, I will send you a copy once completed.

I also want to thank you for the document you sent. First and foremost, I applaud you for making Leonidas Torres a believer. You and your organization do important work. Her initial response reminds me of a quote Bono, lead singer of U2, said when speaking of the AIDS crisis in Africa, namely, "I truly believe that God is on His knees to us, imploring us, pleading with us to turn around the supertanker of indifference that would deny for others what we demand for ourselves." In many ways, Ms Torres’ initial response represents the indifference that Bono mentions"

"People that give up on Colombia, demand fairness, responsiveness, preservation of human rights, etc. but ironically  and personally deny it to Colombia.  They watch the problems but do not commit themselves to contribute their own personal fairness, responsiveness, and human rights. Indifference is a form of human rights violation.  The statistics of Colombian progress that you identified in your response to Ms. Torres are a direct result of Colombians collectively believing and responding to challenges. It is the antitheses of indifference. Can you imagine a world where a majority of its citizens shed themselves of indifference and sprung themselves into action? I know you can imagine. In fact, you continue to do things about it"

Diego Polo

"Soy un joven español que vive en Madrid. Yo, como tristemente mucha otra gente en el mundo, tenía una idea muy diferente de Colombia, que provenía del desconocimiento y de la imagen que los medios de comunicación proyectan, pero mi idea cambió cuando conocí en USA a jóvenes Colombianos que se convirtieron en amigos para toda la vida. La forma increíble en la que hablaban de  Colombia y el orgullo de ser colombianos me hizo descubrir un país repleto de gente ilusionada y con fuerza suficiente para cambiar los problemas que afectan a vuestro país. Por eso quiero deciros que vuestro proyecto funciona, que es efectivo, que no paréis de luchar por él y que espero ver muy pronto todo aquello que me han  contado ya que puedo decir que.... YO TAMBIÉN CREO EN COLOMBIA!!!"

Lucky Boy Pitswane, South Africa

"As one of the people who had the opportunity to see your presentation, I think it was great. The only eddition that I think you can make is to add information on the role of the youth in the development of the country since they are the future. Since worldwide women were oppressed I think the world would like to hear more how this has change in your country.

After all I think you need to do more presentation or use that as a marketing tool to sell your country.  I for one the presentation has change the way I was saw you country. The media is portrying lot of negative things about your country. eg Drugs, hostage and terrorists. It is only when people themselves stand up and do something, like you are trying. based on your presentation, to me your country is great. It is a tourist attraction area, with lot of potential to develop. Sure one day IN SHALLA (God Will) i will visit your country. Try to link up with Tourism departments, especially in the South to sell your country as a good product to buy. Shukran! meaning thank you"

Nomfundo Thabede, South Africa

"I think that you presentation was very good and it was straight forward and even for somebody who did not understand at first they properbly did afterwards cause of the quiz you had to make everything clearly. I really think it was wonderwful."

Towela Nyika, Malawi

"I thought the presentation was very good. It has alot of good facts about your country and  I also like the idea of mentioning the bad things and then mentioning to the people that those are far much less and are exaggerated by the media than the good things (painting a realistic picture).

Could it be possible to shorten the presentation a little, I thought it was a bit too long or maybe you can make two or three presentations and choose what you would like to focus on in each one for example like according to target group: attract investors, tourists blah blah blah  I hope this is a helpful assessment. I actually want to borrow the idea and do the same about Malawi, I may probably ask for your help when am ready. My overall opinion is that the presentation was excellent and a very good marketing idea!!"

Khanvanh Lokhamyong, Laos

"For your presentation, in my opinion your presentation was very good and interesting. Because I could know many things from that presentation for example: Politics, economic, social, enveronment and so on. In the past time I know nothing about Colombia (this's qiute not true, infact I have heart some not so good things) but it was very good that I have heart truth things from Colombian guy. The way you present was very good also, your presentation is about one hour is it? but you used only 30 minutes and you could cover every thing, it seems very short than it could be" So, keep doing well.

Nina Holm, Norway

"I do remember you had to short time for your presentation. And that was a shame because it was really interesting! Maybe you can make a "mini" presentation ready for occasions when you don't have time for a full presentation?

I think It's really good that you are being honest about Colombia. Telling the truth about crime, drugs, kidnappings etc etc is important. As a foreigner It's in a bisarre way a bit sexy and exiting to hear about those things. (You know I'm a bit crazy Juan Carlos... hehe) But I mean It. Don't be afraid to tell. Of course some fragile women might get scared, but if they do, It's not worth having them over to Colombia! The quiss was good!"

Duncan Maluku Mutuko, Kenya

"Juan Carlos, you had a powerful presentation for Colombia. We discussed with Venkat how the perception of the country (Colombia) is different from the people. Its an inspiring quest for changing perception and I believe countries in the developing world need to borrow a leaf from,  this important concept"

Stanley T. Stairs

Dear Felipe,

Not only will we do what you suggested, but we are trying to hook up with something called "Yo Creo en Colombia" headed up by Pedro Medina (whom we met in Bogotá at the Museo de Oro through Diego Muñoz Tamayo).  Diego says Medina used to run McDonalds in Colombia.  Their website is www.yocreoencolombia.com  Check it out.

What I like about this group is that it is a private sector effort to boost Colombia's image abroad among folks who might make a difference, presumably including Leslie and me.  When the government gets involved in this sort of thing, they usually muck it up.  It is much more effective when it comes spontaneously from real folks.

Felipe LLoreda, Alyanza Consulting Ltda

"Thanx for the kind works Stanley...a huge favor I am going to ask you as a Colombian is this: pls tell ALL YOUR NY FRIENDS about the great experience you had, and don´t hesitate to give them my name and info to help them go to the right places once they are here..as you know, the biggest non-asset we have in Colombia is the wrongly gained reputation, that people like you are helping dissipate"