Members of the Colombian community in Chelsea experienced a significant moment this week when they gathered with Ambassador Carolina Barco Isakson, whose father Virgilio Barco Vargas formerly served as Colombia’s president. On Monday, the ambassador to the U.S. convened a special session at Zumix in East Boston, bringing together Colombian political organizers, community leaders and business owners to understand the needs and concerns of Colombians throughout the region and locally. The roundtable format allowed attendees traveling from as far as Worcester and representing numerous Colombian organizations to present their concerns directly to Barco. One participant raised concerns about young Colombian women employed in Colombian restaurants, noting they faced poor treatment and feared retaliation due to uncertain immigration status. Gladys Oliveiras, a lead organizer who established a Cultural Center of Colombians, explained her vision for government backing to help newly arrived Colombians integrate into American society and culture. Professional model Juliana Jaramillo-who spoke about supporting younger Colombians in Chelsea and surrounding areas, advocating for Colombian government scholarships for Colombian nationals, particularly undocumented individuals ineligible for federal aid or in-state tuition. Alejandro Magno from CAFE, the Colombian cultural association, highlighted the recent Colombian festival’s achievements. Carmenza Bruff, representing the Dana Farber Cancer institute, outlined a new Eastie program designed to expand public health services to residents, including the substantial Latino population. The Ambassador addressed several national matters, including her support for U.S. approval of a free trade agreement with Colombia. Regarding immigration matters, she noted that “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/55d36cdb880108x6.jpg.jpg” and that recommendations could only come from her office. Barco, a Boston native, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social and Economic Sciences from Wellesley College and later obtained her Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Urban and Regional Planning from Harvard University in 1975. President Alvaro Uribe appointed her Ambassador of Colombia to the U.S. in August 2006. During her tenure as Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs from August 2002 through August 2006, Barco pursued three principal objectives: strengthening the Ministry’s diplomatic operations for enhanced efficiency and direct support to Colombian communities abroad; developing robust communication strategies to enhance Colombia’s international standing and foster genuine understanding of the nation’s circumstances; and advancing trade and international cooperation, particularly development initiatives. Her professional background includes serving as Director of the City Planning Department in Bogotá and providing counsel to the Ministries of Development, Culture, and Environment, as well as the National Planning Department and the Office of the Mayor of Bogotá. She has additionally served as international cooperation adviser to the United Nations Development Program, researcher at Universidad de los Andes, and board member of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Colombian ambassador visits area
