Fall Speakers Tour Witness for Peace Northwest is proud to welcome
Augusto Obregon of Esteli, Nicaragua on our Fall Speakers Tour, Migrating Towards Justice: Stories to
Transform People and Policy, October 20th-November 6th. Join us for a
unique investigation into the root causes of migration and the impacts of free
trade on Nicaragua. Augusto has been a campesino farmer and community leader in El Regadio,
Esteli, Nicaragua for over thirty years. Three years ago, a tobacco factory
designated as a free trade zone was constructed in his community. While the
factory may curtail migration from his community, the increased cultivation of
tobacco has threatened food security, the environment and the health of his
people. Augusto’s story illustrates the contentions of development under neoliberal
trade policies and explores the root causes of migration through the eyes of
most affected. He is the vice-president of the Federation for the Integral Development
between Farmers, a non-profit organization that organizes small-scale farmers
around sustainability projects and food sovereignty issues.
Delegation Report Backs From July 12-22nd,
12 delegates from the Northwest Region traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico for a special
investigation into the roots causes of migration. The delegation, Roots of Migration: Trade, Privatization,
and Resistance explored how neoliberal trade policies effect small-scale
farming communities and uplifted voices of resistance working for fair trade,
human rights, and immigration reform. Throughout August and September delegates
gave presentations in their communities about ways to work for immigrant rights
and trade justice.
To view photos from this special
delegation please click here.
Upcoming Delegations
Building Community Across Borders, November 28th-December 7th.
Witness for Peace is excited to collaborate with Saint Mark’s Episcopal
Cathedral on their upcoming delegation to Nicaragua. To find out more about this
delegation please visit http://saintmarksdelegations.wordpress.com/
Seattle University Law School Delegation to
Colombia: Human Rights and Environmental Justice, March 12-21st. Witness for Peace
Northwest is excited to work with Seattle University Law School on this special
delegation to the Magdalena Region of Colombia.Students will explore the role of multinational corporations
in environmental degradation and human rights abuses. For more information please contact delegation
coordinator, Colette Cosner, wfpnw@witnessforpeace.org
Food Sovereignty Delegation, September 2011, dates TBA. Witness for Peace
Northwest is excited to collaborate with the Community Alliance for Global
Justice on a food justice delegation to Oaxaca, Mexico. Please contact
delegation coordinator, Kristen Kosidowski, for more information kkecuador@yahoo.com
or 206.290.3919
