Nicaragua
Delegations to Nicaragua examine the consequences of U.S.-supported neoliberal policies for Nicaraguan society. Delegates investigate how free trade policies like CAFTA impact education, health, agriculture, employment and migration through conversations with Nicaraguans from a variety of backgrounds and occupations.
Delegates have a unique opportunity to see alternatives to neoliberal models in practice, including permaculture farming, fair trade, and sustainable micro lending.
Delegations to Nicaragua can include the following elements:
- Meetings with health promoters and healthcare providers in both the public and private sectors;
- Conversations with maquila (garment assembly factory) workers;
- A tour of maquila factories in the Mercedes Free Trade Zone;
- Meetings with tobacco factory workers in Esteli;
- Sessions with organic and permaculture coffee farmers in Matagalpa;
- Rural homestays in Matagalpa, Esteli or Jalapa;
- Urban homestays in Managua;
- Seminars with economists and sociologists;
- Sessions with women’s groups, students, and teachers;
- Meetings with business leaders, government officials and U.S. embassy personnel;
- Seminars with environmental organizations devoted to sustainable development and environmental practices; and
- Visits to fair trade cooperatives.
