Followers of Katherine's trip to Chiapas (see August 2007 posts) will be interested to learn that yesterday the UN adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. This important document calls for "the recognition of the worlds' 370 million indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and control over land and resources".
Read the full story at OneWorld.net.
At IDEX we are overjoyed that the UN has adopted this declaration, but realize that it is still the role of civil society to ensure that these rights are observed, protected and upheld.
IDEX and our partners have sought to defend the rights of indigenous people for many years as it is our firm belief that poverty in many communities is a result of policies that negatively impact indigenous peoples.
The following story, as told by Gerado, a Mayan community leader in Chiapas, Mexico, highlights the challenges facing indigenous people, the need of the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and the impact of civil society groups who work to protect these rights.
"The mestizos (non-indigenous people) here have been trying for years to run us off our land, to gain complete political, social and economic domination over us. They used to own all the stores in town and would sell to us at high prices so that they could get rich. There were days when the problems with them got so bad that we had to sleep in our cornfields to avoid gunshots.
We decided that we needed to organize to fend for ourselves. Slowly we started learning about how to organize a cooperative, how to use a scale, what a kilogram is, what the different merchandise is in a store. We were practically blind, we were ignorant, but we learned. We opened a store and now we can buy from ourselves, we can support ourselves. We thank Mr. Jorge Santiago and the staff of DESMI for helping us to learn and to believe that we could do this. It has been wonderful to have people come here who really listen to us, who are interested in a true interchange of ideas. We may not have much money, but we know how to use our human resources well. Despite repression, despite our poverty, despite the violence we've faced, our cooperative has survived for 20 years. It's well worth it." Gerardo, treasurer, Our Father of Tila Cooperative Store, Chiapas, Mexico.
IDEX invites you to join us for a special screening of the acclaimed movie Maquilapolis [city of factories], a film by Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre.
A benefit for IDEX's Programs, the screening will feature women factory workers on the U.S- Mexico border where many multinational corporations have factories. Jobs are available, but salaries are low, labor violations plentiful, and the environmental devastation is shocking. Find out how workers are mobilizing to end these abusive practices.
Come watch their inspiring stories, and stay for a short post-film slideshow about similar efforts supported by IDEX in Guatemala. IDEX will host a reception with appetizers and drinks before the film.
Attend the screening for a chance to win a selection of books from Lonely Planet!
When: Thursday, September 27th, 6:30pm -9:30pm (6:30 reception, 7:15 movie, 8:30 discussion)
Where: The Red Vic Movie House, 1727 Haight Street, San Francisco.
Tickets: $15-50 recommended donation (no-one turned away for lack of funds), includes appetizers and beverages.
RSVP: To reserve your ticket visit www.idex.org/maquilapolis.html, email maquilapolis@idex.org, or call (415) 824-8384.
Betty and Michealene had met during a visit to the US where Betty had inspired and impressed Michealene. Michealene's trip to Zimbabwe was to document the abuse of girls in Africa for her upcoming film Tapestries of Hope. The trip unfortunately did not go as planned as Michealene and Betty were both arrested. After being held for three days, Michealene was subsequently deported.
You can read Michealene's account of her trip at the
Huffington Post and also visit the Tapestries of Hope blog to read more about her trip and the incredible work of GCN and Betty Makoni.
Betty was also released without being charged, but was arrested again on August 30 after appearing on a Zimbabwe television show. Betty was released the next day, but her activities remain under a close watch from the Zimbabwe government.
Betty Makoni and Girl Child Network continue to offer sanctuary and hope for many girls in Zimbabwe. We at IDEX support them as they continue their heroic work.
Read the full story at OneWorld.net.
At IDEX we are overjoyed that the UN has adopted this declaration, but realize that it is still the role of civil society to ensure that these rights are observed, protected and upheld.
IDEX and our partners have sought to defend the rights of indigenous people for many years as it is our firm belief that poverty in many communities is a result of policies that negatively impact indigenous peoples.
The following story, as told by Gerado, a Mayan community leader in Chiapas, Mexico, highlights the challenges facing indigenous people, the need of the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and the impact of civil society groups who work to protect these rights.
"The mestizos (non-indigenous people) here have been trying for years to run us off our land, to gain complete political, social and economic domination over us. They used to own all the stores in town and would sell to us at high prices so that they could get rich. There were days when the problems with them got so bad that we had to sleep in our cornfields to avoid gunshots.
We decided that we needed to organize to fend for ourselves. Slowly we started learning about how to organize a cooperative, how to use a scale, what a kilogram is, what the different merchandise is in a store. We were practically blind, we were ignorant, but we learned. We opened a store and now we can buy from ourselves, we can support ourselves. We thank Mr. Jorge Santiago and the staff of DESMI for helping us to learn and to believe that we could do this. It has been wonderful to have people come here who really listen to us, who are interested in a true interchange of ideas. We may not have much money, but we know how to use our human resources well. Despite repression, despite our poverty, despite the violence we've faced, our cooperative has survived for 20 years. It's well worth it." Gerardo, treasurer, Our Father of Tila Cooperative Store, Chiapas, Mexico.
IDEX invites you to join us for a special screening of the acclaimed movie Maquilapolis [city of factories], a film by Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre.
A benefit for IDEX's Programs, the screening will feature women factory workers on the U.S- Mexico border where many multinational corporations have factories. Jobs are available, but salaries are low, labor violations plentiful, and the environmental devastation is shocking. Find out how workers are mobilizing to end these abusive practices.
Come watch their inspiring stories, and stay for a short post-film slideshow about similar efforts supported by IDEX in Guatemala. IDEX will host a reception with appetizers and drinks before the film.
Attend the screening for a chance to win a selection of books from Lonely Planet!
When: Thursday, September 27th, 6:30pm -9:30pm (6:30 reception, 7:15 movie, 8:30 discussion)
Where: The Red Vic Movie House, 1727 Haight Street, San Francisco.
Tickets: $15-50 recommended donation (no-one turned away for lack of funds), includes appetizers and beverages.
RSVP: To reserve your ticket visit www.idex.org/maquilapolis.html, email maquilapolis@idex.org, or call (415) 824-8384.
Labels: IDEX, Maquilapolis, Red Vic
Author and filmmaker Michealene Risley recently traveled to Zimbabwe to visit IDEX partner, Girl Child Network (GCN) and founding member Betty Makoni.Betty and Michealene had met during a visit to the US where Betty had inspired and impressed Michealene. Michealene's trip to Zimbabwe was to document the abuse of girls in Africa for her upcoming film Tapestries of Hope. The trip unfortunately did not go as planned as Michealene and Betty were both arrested. After being held for three days, Michealene was subsequently deported.
You can read Michealene's account of her trip at the
Huffington Post and also visit the Tapestries of Hope blog to read more about her trip and the incredible work of GCN and Betty Makoni.
Betty was also released without being charged, but was arrested again on August 30 after appearing on a Zimbabwe television show. Betty was released the next day, but her activities remain under a close watch from the Zimbabwe government.
Betty Makoni and Girl Child Network continue to offer sanctuary and hope for many girls in Zimbabwe. We at IDEX support them as they continue their heroic work.
Labels: Betty Makoni, GCN, Michealene Risley, Tapestries of Hope