En su propio idioma

Eduardo del Buey
Foto: Rodrigo Díaz Guzmán
La Jornada Maya

Viernes 27 de mayo, 2016

There is no doubt that a diplomatic career gives one plenty of access to interesting information. It also provides many opportunities to form views and opinions, but few opportunities to express them publicly. After forty years of diplomatic service, I now have the freedom to express my views and share them with readers through the pages of[i] La Jornada Maya.[/i]

I served as a Canadian diplomat in six countries, as well as spokesperson and director for strategic communications and Spokesperson at the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth, as well as Deputy Spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Through it all I developed an appreciation for communications in all of its forms, as well as the exploration of new and different cultures. When [i]La Jornada Maya[/i] invited me to collaborate, I saw it as a magnificent opportunity to put my observational capabilities and communications skills to work to reach a new and evolving readership.

Our objective is to provide foreign audiences with limited or no knowledge of Spanish with an insight into global and local events and developments, and to the thinking and culture of Yucatecans. Many of you live here, even more of you visit regularly to escape winter or explore the rich archeological wealth this state has to offer, and you are the reason why we want to reach out and share our experiences.

Like many of you, we came to Merida because it is safe, warm, pretty, and friendly. It appeals to our sense of culture and history. As well, the food is out of this world!

It has a world class Museum of Mayan Culture, and an international festival of Mayan Culture that attracts many artists from around the world and explores the richness and diversity of the Mayan people and their history. It is surrounded by beautiful beaches, exotic [i]cenotes,[/i] and fascinating archeological sites that attract scholars and vacationers from everywhere.

It offers what we like to call smart tourism – tourism that rests the body but feeds the mind and soul. We have lived here since January, and share in our readers´ enthusiasm for this marvelous city and region.

I am also teaching strategic communications at the Marista University of Merida, and consulting with firms and organizations in the region that want to improve their communications skills and understand the dynamics of connecting with audiences. As the world becomes a more complex place, crisis communications is becoming essential for any organization.

I have published two books on strategic communications in English – [i]Guerrilla Communications[/i] and [i]Spokespersonry[/i], and my next book in Spanish, [i]Comunicología Audaz[/i], will be out this summer. All are available at Amazon.com. I will also explore communications issues on these pages as well from time to time.

We will be publishing a weekly page in English on Mondays, and publish it on our website as well so that you can keep up with the news when you are back home. We hope this will add to your Yucatecan experience, and will enrich your lives.

I will be writing on a wide variety of topics, from local happenings to international issues that affect us all. Others will share the page with their own observations, in an effort to provide you with a kaleidoscopic vision of Merida and Yucatan.

I will look forward to receiving your comments from time to time.

In the meanwhile, enjoy La Jornada Maya en ingles as you enjoy Merida and its environs!

[b][email protected][/b]
Mérida, Yucatán