THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2008
Delegation to Nicaragua — January 10-18, 2009
Two Years of Sandinista Government: What Does It Mean?
Application Deadline Extended to November 15!
Nicaragua is the only country in the world where a government that came into power through force of arms, gave up power when defeated at the ballot box and returned to power through elections. Latin America is undergoing profound political changes for which Nicaragua is both precursor and current participant.
Join Nicaragua scholar and Nicaragua Network National Co-Coordinator Katherine Hoyt, Ph.D. (who lived for 16 years in Nicaragua), as part of a delegation on the second anniversary of Daniel Ortega's return to power after 17 years of neoliberal governments.
Meet educators, community leaders, government and opposition officials, labor leaders, farmers, health professionals, members of the Councils of Citizen Power, and others to answer these provocative questions:
1. Are the Sandinista poverty reduction policies making a difference?
2. What have been the effects of a return to free education and health care?
3. Are the Councils of Citizen Power an innovative mechanism for participatory democracy or a partisan move to weaken democratic institutions?
4. Can Nicaragua's membership in ALBA and cooperation with Venezuela to promote Latin American integration free Nicaragua from domination by the US?
5. What are the criticisms of Daniel Ortega's leadership from the left and from the right? Why have the politics on the left become so virulent?
6. [Your question here!]
This is a delegation for people with some level of knowledge of-and interest in-Nicaragua's history. Some of the delegates will have visited Nicaragua before, but that is not an essential requirement. What is essential is the willingness to prepare for the delegation by learning about Nicaragua. The itinerary is not yet set and will be influenced by the interests expressed by those who commit early. The delegation will spend time in Managua and at least two other Nicaraguan cities on the Pacific side of the country. We will visit and meet with people who can give their own answers to the questions above in both urban and rural settings.
Cost: $900 (includes lodging, food, program, translation, and transportation within Nicaragua) It does not include airfare to Nicaragua.
Application deadline: November 1, 2008
Nonrefundable deposit of $200 due Nov. 1, 2008
For application and further information, send email to: nicanet@AFGJ.org or call our West Coast office at 619-423-2909.
The Nicaragua Network is a US grassroots network formed in February 1979 in solidarity with the Sandinista struggle to overthrow the US-backed Somoza dictatorship. It opposed US policy toward Nicaragua during the 1980s while sending thousands of US residents to witness the Nicaragua reality for themselves and sending material aid to counter US government aid to the contras. From the 1990s through 2006 the Nicaragua Network worked with Nicaraguan civil society to defend the gains of the Sandinista Revolution. As it approaches its 30th anniversary, Nicaragua Network has moved into a new phase of solidarity work, independent of the Sandinista party but no less committed to the goals of Sandinismo for justice, peace, and equality.
Draft Itinerary
(Ready for suggestions from delegation members!)
January 10 Saturday:
Arrival in Managua; pick up at airport; meals and lodging at the Kairos School at Kilometer 8 on the South Highway, Managua.
Orientation.
January 11 Sunday:
Introduction to the socio-political-economic reality of Nicaragua by a respected Nicaraguan analyst. Possible cultural/historical visits depending on interests of group.
January 12 Monday
What have been the effects of a return to free education and health care? Meetings with teachers, healthcare workers and representatives of Ministries.
January 13 Tuesday
Are the Sandinista poverty reduction policies making a difference?
Travel to Matagalpa or Estelí to meet with Ministry of Agriculture representative to learn about Zero Hunger Program. Meet with representatives of the Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG) and others who are participating in the Zero Hunger Program and other anti-poverty initiatives.
January 14 Wednesday
Are the Councils of Citizen Power an innovative mechanism for participatory democracy or a partisan move to weaken democratic institutions?
Meetings in Matagalpa or Esteli with members of the Councils of Citizen Power and with critics
January 15 Thursday
Return to Managua.
Can Nicaragua's membership in ALBA and cooperation with Venezuela to promote Latin American integration free Nicaragua from domination by the US?
Meetings with officials working on ALBA programs and with an independent economist who can speak about ALBA and DR-CAFTA.
January 16 Friday
What are the criticisms of Daniel Ortega's leadership from the left and from the right? Why have the politics on the left become so virulent?
Meetings with representatives of Nicaragua's political parties and politically active NGOs.
January 17 Saturday
Miscellaneous meetings that did not fit in the schedule during the week. Summation of our findings.
January 18 Sunday
Return flights.
For your consideration: The itinerary allows for more meetings. Would you also be interested in meetings related to Plan Puebla Panama, environmental preservation efforts (including reforestation, renewable energy, nature reserves), indigenous rights, women's rights (including the therapeutic abortion issue), the issues surrounding toxic poisoning of banana and sugar workers, recent “dry canal” proposals, the role of the U.S. including activities of the International Republican Institute (IRI), or other issues? Help us prioritize!
For application and further information, send email to: nicanet@AFGJ.org or call our West Coast office at 619-423-2909.
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