The Dream Team

MSOD 618 Assignment 4 Preparation for Field Assignments in

- Kevin Ricklefs - Tani -Kaye Sorensen - Angela Martin -

Population, Industry, Economic Drivers (1) q Demographic Profile q Costa Rica's political stability, high standard of living, and well-developed social benefits system set it apart from its Central American neighbors. Through the government's sustained social spending - almost 20% of GDP annually - Costa Rica has made tremendous progress toward achieving its goal of providing universal access to education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and electricity. q Costa Rica is a popular regional immigration destination because of its job opportunities and social programs. Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born, with Nicaraguans comprising nearly three-quarters of the foreign population. Many Nicaraguans who perform unskilled seasonal labor enter Costa Rica illegally or overstay their visas, which continues to be a source of tension. q Population q 4,814,144 (July 2015 est.) q Growth rate 1.22% (2015 est.) q Life expectancy is almost 77 years, one of the highest in the world. q Ethnic Groups q White or mestizo 83.6%, mulato 6.7%, indigenous 2.4%, black of African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.) Population, Industry, Economic Drivers (2) q Economy q Prior to the global economic crisis, Costa Rica enjoyed stable economic growth. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 but resumed growth at about 4% per year in 2010-14. q GDP/PPP $70.97 billion (2014 est.); per capita $14,900 (2014 est.) By Sector: agriculture: 6%, industry: 20.5%, and services: 73.4% (2014 est.) q Industries q Traditional agricultural exports: bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef are still the backbone of commodity export trade q Microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products q High value-added goods and services, including medical devices, have further bolstered exports. q Tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange, as Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity makes it a key destination for ecotourism. q Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the incentives offered in the free-trade zones; and Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. Population, Industry, Economic Drivers (3) q Labor Force q 2.257 million excluding Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2014 est.) q Unemployment q 8.2% (2014 est.) q Challenges q Poor infrastructure, high energy costs, bureaucracy, weak investor protection, and legal uncertainty due to difficulty of enforcing contracts and overlapping and at times conflicting responsibilities between agencies, remain impediments to greater competitiveness. q A rising fiscal deficit, rising public debt, and relatively low levels of domestic revenue. Poverty has remained around 20-25% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. q Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. q The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica, legally and illegally, are an important source of mostly unskilled labor, but also place heavy demands on the social system. Population, Industry, Economic Drivers (4)

Resources q https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html q http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/costa-rica-facts/ q http://costarica.com/travel/fun-facts/#sthash.IsYQ6WK5.dpuf Primary Educational Institutions / Role of Education (1) q Pre-school/ basic education are both free & mandatory for citizens starting in 1869 q Rural areas after 6th grade, a lot of children will drop out & help parents farming q Over the last 3 decades the country has invested nearly 30% of its national budget in primary and secondary education q Literacy rate is 95% in residents age 15 and older q More teachers than policemen are boasted in the country q All students are required to wear a blue and white uniform to lessen the economic distinctions among classmates q Public elementary schools consists of 6 years of education, followed by 5 to 6 years of high school q First 3 years of H.S. are dedicated to general education, while the remaining 2 or 3 years provide students with specialized training q Upon graduation, students receive a title in arts or sciences and a Costa Rican Bachillerato Diploma, which is accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education q Goal in Costa Rican schools, create a well educated population that will one day improve the nation q Costa Rica education system was ranked highest in Latin America Primary Educational Institutions / Role of Education (2)

Resources q Anywhere Costa Rica. (2015). http://www.anywherecostarica.com/sustainable/social/education q Costa Rica’s Education System. (2015). http://costarica.com/relocation/costa-ricas-education- system/ q InterNations. Costa Rica at a Glance. http://www.internations.org/costa-rica- expats/guide/living-in-costa-rica-15466/education-in-costa-rica-2 Business in Costa Rica (1) v General Services, Tourism and Agriculture are the most important economic sectors representing almost 2/3 of the nation’s economy

General Services 7% 30% Tourism 10% Agriculture

15% Manufacturing 20% 18% Agriculture

Transport & Construction Others

Data Source: Camara de Comercio de Costa Rica Interview with Business Culture in Costa Rica (2) Carlos Saenz (1/2)

Proposed Questions

1. Could you describe in 60 sec. how is it to work in Costa Rica? Anything that you find particularly special or different Vs US culture? Any anecdote your would like to share?

2. What are the top (3) values & behaviors that are strongly present in Costa Rica’s business environment?

3. How would you define the leadership culture and working environment in Costa Rica?

o Individualism Vs Collectivism o Task-oriented Vs relationship-oriented o Large or small power distance o Balance «career success & quality of life»

4. If you were a foreign consulant that visits a client in Costa Rica for the first time, from your point of view, what would be the Do’s and Dont’s to be aware of? Interview with Living in Costa Rica Carlos Saenz (2/2)

Proposed Questions

1. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?

2. How long have you been living in Costa Rica?

3. Could you describe in 60 sec. how is it to live in Costa Rica?

4. What do you like most? What does make this country unique?

5. Could you tell me more about the people in Costa Rica?

6. What is the most common mistake that foreigners make when they visit Costa Rica for the first time? And the most common stereotype on Costarricenses coming from foerigners?

7. As 1st time foering visitor with only 10 days to explore and learn about Costa Rica, what would be your advice?

o Places to visit? o Where to eat? Your favorite local dish? o Shopping? o Etc, Current News Events (1)

News Headlines: q Downtown San José Celebrates Urban Sustainability q Oct 27, 2015 q Gracias Gerardo: a march against street harassment in Costa Rica q Oct 15, 2015 q Burger King Shuts Down in Costa Rica, effective immediately q Oct 5, 2015 q New Bill May Tax Plastics q Sep 19, 2015 q Costa Rica Wants To Increase Taxes q Sep 17, 2015 q In Vitro Fertilization Coming to Costa Rica q Sep 5, 2015 q Costa Rica: a “multiethnic and multicultural nation” q Aug 27, 2015 q Costa Rica Achieves Happy Planet Index Top Score q Jul 27, 2015 q Why We Picked Up and Left the United States—and the American Dream—Behind q Jul 21, 2015 q Costa Rica Judge Sets Precedent Approves First Gay Common Law Marriage q Jun 3, 2015 Current News Events (2)

Travel Headlines: q New Road to Pave the Way in Dominical q Oct 14, 2015 q Day Trip to Paradise: A Photo Journey Through Cartago q Sep 30, 2015 q Costa Rican Craft Beer Guide: The Bars q Sep 25, 2015 q Costa Rica Hotel Ranked within World Top 20 q Sep 23, 2015 q 5 Ways to Join a New Community in a Foreign Land q Sep 15, 2015 q Yù Yī: Rediscovering Intensity in Costa Rica q Sep 3, 2015 q Trekking Costa Rica’s Five Best National Parks q Aug 23, 2015 q San Jose Costa Rica 6th Most Visited City in Latin America 2015 q Jun 3, 2015 q Free Admission: The Best Places to Go in San Jose Without Having to Pay a Colón q Feb 23, 2015 q Looking for a Great Vacation? Manuel Antonio was Chosen as the Sixth Best Beach in the Americas by Tripadvisor q Feb 20, 2015 Current News Events (3)

Culture Headlines: q Downtown San José Celebrates Urban Sustainability q Oct 27, 2015 q Not a Crime of Passion: March Calls Out the Real Culprits of Sexist Remarks q Oct 22, 2015 q Envision Festival Prepares for 2016 Return to Uvita q Oct 22, 2015 q Costa Rica Craft Beer Guide: What to Order q Oct 8, 2015 q San José celebrates World Habitat Day q Oct 5, 2015 q Do You Know About shnit? q Oct 4, 2015 q Coronado Journey Drew a Crowd q Oct 1, 2015 q Day Trip to Paradise: A Photo Journey Through Cartago q Sep 30, 2015 q Local Writers and Artists Share Their Experiences q Sep 28, 2015 q Does Costa Rica Need a Democratic Adjustment? q Sep 20, 2015 Historical Overview (1)

q San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica; located in the Central Valley it is the head of the province of San Jose and the nation’s largest city. The City was established in 1737 when most of the residents farmed fruits, vegetables and the coffee plant. By the end of the 18th century the City dominated Costa Rica’s tobacco and coffee production. q In 1821, the Spanish withdrew from Central America causing political unrest in the region. San Jose was forced to defend their position as the capital city two times, once during the Civil War (1820’s) and again in 1835. Both times San Jose emerged victorious and has remained the capital city ever since. q By the mid 1800’s the city moved beyond the political problems and focused on expanding trade and developing itself as a political, economic and cultural center. San Jose was the third city in the world to install public electric lighting and one of the first to develop a public telephone system. Historical Overview (2)

Resources q http://costarica.com/san-jose/#sthash.YXqx3y9M.dpuf q http://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica/san-jose/history#ixzz3oUotcQE0 q http://www.visitcapitalcity.com/north-america/San-Jose-Costa-Rica Local Administrative System (1) q San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and the seat of the national government. q Costa Rica has a stable democratic government. The fairness of national elections has been indicated by the fact that almost every four-year period since the mid-20th century has seen a change in the party winning the presidency. Two parties have traditionally dominated: the National Liberation Party (Partido Liberación Nacional; PLN), which since 1949 has controlled the National Assembly more often than not, and the Social Christian Unity Party (Partido Unidad Social Cristiana; PUSC). q Local government - The country’s seven provinces are administered by governors appointed by the president. The provinces represent judicial and electoral jurisdictions; most government agencies with their own administrative branches may not account for provincial boundaries. Each province is divided into cantones (cantons), and each canton is divided into distritos (districts). Councilmen for the cantons are elected locally, but budgets for all political units are approved by the national government, which controls nearly all the funds available to local governments. Local Administrative System (2) q San Jose is considered one of the safest cities in Latin America based on the resources provided by Mayor Johnny. q The city is divided into 11 districts and then into neighborhoods called “barrio’s”. Each barrio has an elected councilmen q San José is currently undergoing modernization in transportation. The current mayor, Johnny Araya, has announced the establishment of an urban tramway system that will, in its first phase, cover the central core of the city going from west to east. This entire plan was announced and publicly presented on February 2011 by the city mayor and Costa Rican President, . Local Administrative System (3)

Resources q http://www.britannica.com/place/Costa-Rica/Government-and-society q www.infoplease.com q http://costarica.com/san-jose/ q https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jos%C3%A9,_Costa_Rica Government Structure (1) q The take place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, with a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the president and his cabinet, and the is both the head of state and head of government. q Costa Rica is a democratic, free and independent republic. Its government is popular, representative, alternative and responsible, exercised by three supreme powers which are distinct and independent of each other: Executive Power, Legislative Power and Judicial Power. q The Costa Rican State has also a Supreme Elections Tribunal with the same rank and independence as the other powers. This tribunal is in charge exclusively of organizing, directing and supervising all acts concerning suffrage. q The Executive Power is composed by the President of the Republic, two Vice presidents and a Cabinet of Government chosen by the President. Government Structure (2) q The President and Vice presidents are elected every four years by direct vote of all citizens over 18 years. There have been uninterrupted elections since the promulgation of the current Constitution in 1949. q The current President is Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera and the Vice presidents are Mr. and Ms. Ana Elena Chacón Echeverría. Mr. Solís Rivera and the Vice presidents took office on May 8th 2014 for the following four years. q The Legislative Power is unicameral and it’s integrated by 57 deputies elected democratically and simultaneously with the President of the Republic and the Vice presidents for a four-year period as well. The 57 deputies form the Legislative Assembly. q The current Constitution establishes that Costa Rican people delegate in the Legislative Assembly the power to legislate, which is its main function. q The current President of the Legislative Assembly is Mr. Henry Mora Jiménez, who took office on May 1st 2014 for a single-year period as established by law. Polictical Leaders – from 1990 to current

President Took office Left office Party Notes

Rafael Calderon Social Christian Unity Son of Rafael Ángel 8 May 1990 8 May 1994 Fournier Party Calderón Guardia

National Liberation Son of José Figueres Jose Figueres Olsen 8 May 1994 8 May 1998 Party Ferrer.

Miguel Rodriguez Social Christian Unity 8 May 1998 8 May 2002 Echeverria Party

Abel Pacheco de la Social Christian Unity Presidential re-election 8 May 2002 8 May 2006 Espriella Party re-instated.

Oscar Arias National Liberation 8 May 2006 8 May 2010 (second term) Party

National Liberation First female president of Laura Chinchilla 8 May 2010 8 May 2014 Party Costa Rica.[2]

Luis Guillermo Solis 8 May 2014 Incumbent Citizens' Action Party Goverment Structure / Polictical Leaders

Resources q http://www.indexmundi.com/costa_rica/government_profile.html q http://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/costa-rica/government q http://costaricaembassy.be/en/costa_rica/government/ Thank you for your attention!