Since the inception of Witness for Peace in July 1983, short-term
delegations to Latin American and Caribbean countries have formed
the backbone of Witness for Peace's outreach and educational program.
The strength and uniqueness of the program is that the program for
each delegation is designed, organized and hosted by full-time Witness
for Peace volunteers living and working in the country. These volunteers
have established contacts with policy makers, organizers and workers,
whose resources are included in each delegation. This enriches, and
provides authenicity to, the visits and interviews that are part of
each delegation.
Currently Witness for Peace delegations are available to Nicaragua,
Southern Mexico, Colombia and Cuba. On occasion, delegations to Haiti
may also be arranged. The duration of delegations generally ranges
from 10 to 18 days.
The purpose of the delegations is to give the participants first-hand
information concerning conditions in each country visited. Understanding
the economic and political conditions of the country is always a goal
of each delegation, as well as appreciating the richness of the culture
and language and the beauty of the people. Human-rights conditions
are usually a particular focus of delegations, especially as they
may be affected by United States policies.
Accommodations and food during the country visit are generally simple.
To gain an appreciation of the life among those most affected by international
economic policies, delegates generally stay for a few days in the
homes of local, frequently poor, people. A spirit of friendliness,
tolerance and non-violence is an essential trait for all participants.
Following each delegation, it is hoped that each participant will
share her/his experiences and the knowledge gained with others through
talks in local churches and colleges back home, as well as through
letters to the editor.
