Through Global Exchange and our sister organization, Afghans4Tomorrow, concerned global citizens are traveling to Afghanistan and becoming directly involved in supporting Afghans rebuild their lives after decades of civil war and occupation. These delegations enhance the U.S. public's understanding of Afghan history and culture and examine Afghanistan's efforts to re-establish civil society. Whether meeting with students at Kabul University or a female doctor providing health care to rural women, participants return as informed and inspired advocates for a new Afghanistan that strives to live in peace and security.

For additional information, review our Afghanistan resources.

For a selection of recent news items compiled by Global Exchange, see our Afghanistan News Updates.

Note: Besides the tour below, should you desire to travel on different dates Reality Tours is happy to create mini trips or connect individuals with our local host partners. [Customized Tours]

Argentines are leading a movement that has emerged as a response to failed economic policies led by international finance institutions such as the IMF and World Bank. Local citizens are organizing into neighborhood assemblies that attempt to take the place of the void left by the insecurity and failure of the state. As a result, over 65 factories have been taken over by their workers and transformed into cooperatives. Meanwhile, social movements have gained in efforts to hold politicians and military officers accountable for gross human rights violations during the period of the dictatorship, and a broad effort at recuperating the memory of the lives of the disappeared has brought new life to human rights cases. Visit Argentina, to better understand the collapse of the neo-liberal project, witness the possibilities that Argentine movements present in building a community-based economy, hear new voices for human rights from the South, and discover how new alliances are reshaping the political horizon of the Southern Cone.

For additional information, review our Argentina resources.

Bolivia has become one of the brightest success stories of the Americas. After long struggles and years of poverty, Bolivians are now enjoying new rights to determine their own economic and development policy decisions. The election of the first indigenous president in the country's history, Evo Morales, has symbolized the success of social movements in bringing justice to the country's indigenous poor. After rejecting corporate privatization of natural resources such as water and gas, social movements are now working with a new, progressive government to build historic programs that bring new land rights, promotion of indigenous health and identity, laws guaranteeing access to public services such as water and education, and sovereignty to the people of South America's poorest nation. Join Global Exchange as we explore Bolivia's strong history of stopping the privatization of natural resources, the traditions of coca and the trappings of drug war policy, new social programs that redistribute land to poor farmers and guarantee food for all, and learn about the cultural traditions of native peoples in the Heart of the Andes.

For additional information, review our Bolivia resources.

Brasil remains an enigma. Since Lula's promising election in 2002, the second largest economy in the Western Hemisphere, has been seen as a center of hope and potential for participatory democracy and regional integration. However, members of the Partido dos Trabalhadores have withdrawn support for the administration as the government's aversion to privatization is slowly being chipped away by international finance institutions. Meanwhile, harmful agricultural and land policies continue to plague the lowlands as roads spider through the Amazon and the Landless Movement faces ongoing repression. Nonetheless, the pulse of Brasil beats on as favela communities organize themselves, capoeira artists dance and fight, escolas da samba beat out batucadas, and entire cities strive for sustainability. Come explore the richness and dynamism of one of the most complex countries on earth as you learn about the cultural and political conflicts of this beautiful country.

For additional information, review our Brazil resources.

Join us for two local reality tour offerings in San Francisco during GreenWeek, a week of special programs before the 2008 San Francisco Green Festival. This year's Get Local! tours focus on environmental & food justice, and social justice,sweatshops & immigrant rights.

Join Not For Sale Campaign and Global Exchange Reality Tours on a special delegation to Cambodia. We are partnering up to bring together a unique group to educate and mobilize ours international abolitionist movement. Our Reality Tours entail understanding the causes of human trafficking, meeting with those who have been freed out of slavery (learning what it means to build a life after having been a victim of trafficking) and with those who are fighting human trafficking, as well as exploring the area and understanding the culture that you are visiting.

Learn about Global Exchange and Ethical Traveler's Campaign Against Child Prostitution in Cambodia

For additional information, review our Cambodia resources.

As a nongovernmental organization, Global Exchange believes it is an important historical moment for us to meet with NGOs and others promoting sustainable development efforts in China. Given the vastness of China’s cultural and bio-diversity, the opportunities for partnerships beckon and the need is growing given China’s mass push towards industrialization and export promotion. These days it is rare for those of us living in the U.S. to walk into a large retail outlet without seeing the “Made in China” label. This simple fact inspires the philosophical foundation of this Reality Tour as we ask what our current interdependency is with China? How has globalization impacted the various Chinese societal sectors? What are current socioeconomic trajectories as the country continues to modernize? Clearly, China’s culture and its social system are being affected. Find out how, firsthand, as you visit with representatives of various organizations working for cultural conservation, sustainable development and biodiversity protection. You will learn about the present as you also explore China’s rich history, archeology, art and culture. Join us on this unique educational and cultural journey.

Since 2000 the United States government has given over $2 billion of mostly military aid to Colombia. This "aid" has inflamed Colombia's 50-year-old civil conflict, contributing to more deaths, more kidnappings, and an increase in human suffering. The Bush Administration and hawks in Congress have repealed Clinton-era rules that prohibit US arms from being used to battle guerrilla groups and now US military aid to Colombia can be used in Colombia’s counterinsurgency war. These deadly policies must be reversed. US involvement in Colombia is expensive, ineffective, inhumane, and will not lead to peace in the troubled nation. Global Exchange supports the work of Fellowship of Reconciliation in creating people-to-people ties with citizens of the US, and promoting a more peaceful and just foreign policy to Colombia.

Find out about traveling to Colombia with Fellowship of Reconciliation.

With its extensive network of national parks, stunning scenery, and diverse wildlife, Costa Rica is on the forefront of the international conservation movement and has become synonymous with "ecotourism": socially responsible travel that strives to conserve the environment while improving the welfare of the local people. On this tour, you'll experience first-hand both the successes and the failures of ecotourism development. Specifically, participants will explore natural areas for tourism that have caused the destruction of ecosystems and the displacement of local populations. Join Global Exchange Reality Tours as we explore the advantages and disadvantages of a tourism-based economy while visiting some of the country's strikingly beautiful parks, quaint coffee towns, and beaches. We will examine the social and environmental problems Costa Ricans are facing today and meet people who are creating sustainable solutions for the future. Costa Rica's local solutions to these challenges will inspire our own action and involvement with these global issues.

For additional information, review our Costa Rica resources.

Global Exchange has organized Cuba Reality Tours, exploring every aspect of Cuban life, for over ten thousand U.S. citizens, for the last twenty years. (See 20 Years of Cuba Reality Tours!) Although, in 2004, when the Bush Administration attempted to shut down almost all travel to Cuba for educational, socially responsible, and "people to people" purposes, we are now anticipating, through the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress, a liberalization of U.S. Cuba travel. In the meantime, there are many U.S. citizens who qualify to travel to Cuba even under the current policies and we can help you get there.

Our 2009 program concentrates on four thematic areas: Healthcare and Education; Art and Culture; Economics and Politics; Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development; Architecture and Urban Development. We offer the following travel opportunities:

For those that love chocolate and Fair Trade we invite you to join us on our Fair Cocoa Harvest! Fair Trade has helped farmers provide for their families' basic needs and invest in community development; however, most farmers are still selling most of their crop outside of the Fair Trade system because not enough companies are buying at Fair Trade prices. Learn about the importance of Fair Trade in the cocoa industry and how certification and economic alternatives can dramatically improve the lives of producers. Participate in a transformative international travel experience with Global Exchange as you journey to the Dominican Republic this harvest season and work with a Fair Trade cocoa cooperative (CONACADO). Fair Harvesters will partner with a cooperative member family and work along side the farmers to harvest the cocoa. You will learn by participating in the daily lives of small-scale farming families and begin to understand the meaning of Fair Trade for producers. This is a fabulous opportunity to experience another side of the struggle for social and economic justice. Fair Harvest is not intended to be a tour or tourist visit, but rather to be a lived experience that will motivate the participants to be committed fair trade advocates when they return. Spend your vacation harvesting social justice while learning about the beautiful culture, biodiversity, sustainable development and history of the Dominican Republic!

Ecuador, a bastion of cultural and biological diversity, is home to one of the most successful and peaceful indigenous movements in the Americas. More than bananas, oil, exported roses, and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador bears a unique blend of social movements and natural beauty. Explore Ecuador's rich cultural, sociopolitical, ecological, and healing diversity on one of our upcoming delegations. Experience the truths and consequences of corporate globalization for yourself as you join in solidarity with indigenous, environmental, and human rights organizations in and around Quito and then visit local communities to see the power of grassroots organizing first hand and learn about alternatives to current paradigms of development.

For additional information, review our Ecuador resources.

We invite you to travel to Guatemala to visit and work with cooperatives that are providing fair wage employment and a support network to women in some of Latin America's most impoverished communities, many of which were forced into exile during Guatemala's civil war. Trip participants will learn about each community's history and the local development projects funded through their Fair Trade sales in the United States. Fair Trade in Action will allow participants to explore how they, as consumers, can support development efforts abroad. The tour is intended to motivate participation in fair trade initiatives upon return to the U.S.

For additional information, review our Guatemala resources.

On February 29, 2004, Haiti experienced yet another US backed coup d'etat that forced democratically elected President Jean Bertrand Aristide from office. He is now living in exile in South Africa while his country is being governed by an illegitimate replacement - provisional prime minister Gérard Latortue. Many are in hiding, violence is increasing and the international response has not been supportive of the Haitian people. Global Exchange has had a long time commitment to Haiti and wants to maintain that commitment. However, we currently are unable to bring delegations down directly. We hope to have a serious fact-finding delegation in the near future. In the mean time we are supporting the work of the Haiti Action Committee and their Haiti Accompaniment Project which endeavors to bring dedicated supporters to Haiti to be an international presence on the ground in order to both protect our civil society counterparts in Haiti, and the Haitian people. Furthermore, they work to bring back valuable information from Haiti to continue to inform the North American public about the situation on the ground.

For additional information, review our Haiti resources.

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with a staggering eighty percent of the population living below the poverty line. Particularly vulnerable are the ethnic minorities who not only endure appalling living conditions, but are also victims of racial discrimination, repression and governmental neglect. Collective action and solidarity between these minorities and campesinos have been distinctive features of Honduras social movements. Mayas, Lencas, Tawahkas and Pechs have allied themselves with Afro-Caribbean Garifunas and Miskitos to fight alongside campesinos for social, environmental and economic justice. These alliances have become ever more frequent as Honduras struggles with neo-liberal economic policies and the ramifications of corporate-led globalization. Even with a history of systemic political and economic disenfranchisement, groups like the Mayas and the Garifunas have been able to maintain their cultural identity. Showing extraordinary resilience, these groups have relied on their cultures as a primary source of strength in their struggle for political and economic justice. Join Global Exchange as we experience the resilience of the Garifuna and the Maya people, who have been able to maintain their culture and historical memory in the face of historical exclusion and repression. As we travel across Honduras we will examine the repercussions of neo-liberal globalization in different sectors of society. We will learn about environmental movements fighting against the transnational mining interests, the lumber industry and the construction of mega hydroelectric dam projects. Participants will learn about the struggles of campesinos, women, and workers and will meet with political prisoners and human rights activists. Join us to get informed about the complex situation of this troubled country and to become inspired by its people to work for social justice.

For additional information, review our Honduras resources.

India, it is often said is not a country but a continent, with an enormous variety and diversity which few places on earth can rival. As the world's second most populous country after China, it has the distinction of being the world's largest democracy, but with the sizable obstacles of poverty and inequality yet to be overcome. India is also at the fulcrum of major challenges to globalization - especially in the arenas of genetically modified foods and sustainable development.
For additional information, review our India resources.

Now more than ever, as the heated debate on the “Iran Question” continues in Washington, it is crucial for Americans to understand Iran’s vibrant society and its many complex facets. In addition to exploring the richness of Iranian history and culture among the ancient ruins of the Persian Empire, we meet with a diverse spectrum of individuals in order to gain a better understanding of this country. Global Exchange has been sending American travelers to Iran since 2000, and through these tours we hope to demystify and contextualize the negative images of Iran, while shedding some light on the many contradictions and realities of life in the Islamic Republic.

For additional information, review our Iran resources.

For a selection of recent news items compiled by Global Exchange, see our Iran News Updates.

The Cause of Ireland is still important and still unresolved. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement has still not been implemented. As the world's oldest colony, Ireland shares so many linkages with Third World (Majority World) nations who have collectively endured colonial systems of: racial and class supremacy, exploitation of land and labor, and profound inequality. The present US/UK axis in world empire-building comes as no surprise to the Irish! The British military has said, "British troops are well suited to occupy southern Iraq, due to their experience in Northern Ireland." In fact, there are only about 6,000 British troops in Iraq today, but 11 - 12,000 still in the north of Ireland. Learn how the centuries-old anti-colonial conflict on the entire island, and now just in Northern Ireland, is rooted in territory and power and privilege - not religion. Stay in family homes to hear about people's lives in their own living rooms. Discover the how's and why's, the real roots of the struggle, and explore the prospects for peace - with justice. Our tour leader is a native of Ireland, an activist and community leader, and an expert on the political climate in the north.

Listen to a BBC Report on our North Ireland Reality Tour from Aug. 2006

For additional information, review our Ireland resources.

Join Global Exchange in pioneering the first ever Reality Tour delegation to Italy. Spend several days in Florence participating in Terra Futura, the Italian equivalent of the Green Festival, where cutting edge developments in green and sustainable technology, consumer goods, and social initiatives are showcased and shared. Following the festival, spend three days in the Chianti region and than travel to Rome exploring the Italian grassroots movement for sustainability, clean energy, and social justice. This trip promises to be an exciting and informative mixture of cultural exploration of some of Italy's most lovely destinations, and direct engagement with European innovations in green technology and movements for social and economic justice.

Few countries of any size can rival the global reach of Jamaican culture's messages of freedom and justice. Jamaican music, literature and philosophy have moved peoples in struggles from continental Africa to the aborigines of New Zealand, from Northern Ireland to Native Americans. Yet now Jamaica is mostly seen as a tourist destination - to resorts that are essentially walled compounds, to protect northern sun-seekers from the perceived hostility of the locals. Find out what is happening to Jamaica and how globalization continues to severely depress their economy - a microcosm of the rest of the developing world. Our tour will take you "beyond tourism" to explore the three themes of the ground breaking documentary film "Life and Debt:": the tourism industry, the policies of globalization (debt, multinationals and trade) and, finally, the on-the-ground impact of both (deepening poverty, dependence and economic stagnation). Our tours will also explore the vibrant resistance and countless positive achievements of the resilient Jamaican people. Time to relax on the beach and enjoy the peace and breath-taking beauty of the countryside is always a part of our tours.

For additional information, review our Jamaica resources.

Global Exchange is sending peace delegations to Jordan and Syria in order to meet with Iraqis and Lebanese to hear first-hand accounts of conditions within both of these war-torn countries. It is hoped that participants on this delegation will give talks and organize events in their communities upon their return in order to educate others about what they have learned.

For the first time, in January 2007, Kenya hosted the World Social Forum with the vision that 'another Africa is possible'. Real people who traditionally hold little power are coming together to discuss powerful options to building a future that is in harmony with the planet's environment and the people who live in it. Western neoliberal policies and economic programs have failed to meet the needs of nations in the global south, increasing the divide between the rich and the poor, while deepening the destruction of the environment. You will learn about the issues of contemporary Kenya and how its people and economy are developing in the 21st Century while also discovering how Kenyan people are building a new awareness for environmental sustainability, community involvement and grassroots movements. View the 2006 World Social Forum delegation video in Venezuela.

For additional information about Kenya review our Kenya resources

For the latest news coming out of Lebanon, including first-hand diary accounts, check out Electronic Lebanon.

For a selection of recent news items compiled by Global Exchange, review our Lebanon News Updates.

Take a look at this selection of videos and blogs about Lebanon.

At this time Global Exchange has no concrete dates for group Delegations to Lebanon. We are considering them for late 2010 or in 2011. If you would like to be contacted about future delegations to Lebanon and Syria or need assistance in planning a customized tour in Lebanon, please email middleeast@globalexchange.org or call 415-255-7296 x 251.
For those still interested in visiting Syria, Global Exchange is conducting the War & Displacement in the Middle East delegations during the winter to Jordan & Syria.

On these tours, participants will visit Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas or the coastal state of Oaxaca and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities. They will speak with representatives of a variety of local organizations and gain a better understanding of popular movements and modern day social struggles in Mexico.

For additional information, review our Mexico resources.

Contrast and majesty abound in Nepal. While Nepal was never colonized and it was relatively isolated from the world, it did face major political upheaval and civil war for over a decade. With the strife over, democratic processes restored, many sociopolitical and economic changes are happening. It is an exciting time for the country and yet there are many challenges. Our programs in 2010 will enhance your understanding of this vibrant place. On all delegations you will learn about the rich Buddhist and Hindu culture, experience both urban and rural life, and meet with individuals and organizations involved in the political change, human rights, environmental stewardship, fair trade and community development.

This December, spend your vacation harvesting social justice! Participate in a transformative international travel experience! Global Exchange is sponsoring several highly motivated individuals to travel to Nicaragua this harvest season and work with a Fair Trade coffee cooperative (CECOCAFEN). Fair Harvesters will live with a cooperative member family and work along side the farmers to harvest the coffee. You will learn by participating in the daily lives of small-scale farming families and begin to understand the meaning of Fair Trade producers. This is a unique opportunity to experience the other side of the struggle for social and economic justice. Fair Harvest is not intended to be a tour or tourist visit, but rather to be a lived experience that will motivate the participants to be committed activists when they return.

For additional information, review our Nicaragua resources.

Join a GX citizen diplomacy delegation to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and explore history, culture and international relations from a North Korean perspective.

As the Israeli military continues to place Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps under siege, Palestinians continue to resist the 41 year Occupation of their land. GX's delegations to Palestine/Israel strive to further the US public's understanding of the region's history and realities by giving participants first-hand exposure to the aspirations and frustrations of Palestinians living under Occupation, the dimensions of the human rights crisis under Israeli rule, as well as the perspectives of Palestinians and Israelis who are working for a just peace and end to the occupation.

For additional information, review our Palestine resources.

For a selection of recent news items compiled by Global Exchange, review our Palestine News Updates.

19th century explorer, Antonio Raimondi, once referred to Peru as a “beggar sitting on a bench of gold.” Indeed, Peru’s riches include more than just gold. The richness and diversity of the Amazon rainforest, the fabulous cuisine and textiles of Cusco, and the wonder and magnificence of Machu Picchu are only some examples of the culture, beauty, history and nature that make up Peru. Still, with so much to offer, Peru continues to struggle with poverty, social unrest and threats to biological and cultural diversity. Almost half of Peruvians live below the national poverty line despite a billion dollar mining industry, fertile land for agriculture, almost 2,500 km of coastlines, a growing textile industry, tourism and more. Foreign investment and government corruption have redirected the country’s wealth and resources away from its people. The government has, in turn, sought out foreign aid and free trade policies that complicate the situation worse. Come visit Peru with Global Exchange and experience its splendors first-hand while forming an understanding of issues such as globalization and trade, resource allocation and privatization, rainforest conservation and community development. Meet Peruvians from various social and economic backgrounds and visit historic sights along the Inca trail, including Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

What is the legacy of Nelson Mandela? Find out why South Africa has inspired so much hope in the world. The transformation from racist pariah state to a leading democratic nation has been a marvel of our time. Our delegation goes beyond the safari-kitch of African tourism.
On our alternative, socially responsible tour, you will explore the troubling history of this complex country, discover its diverse people and cultures and learn about their struggle to build a unified nation.
You will also confront the many challenges that remain:
What has been achieved under the new government?
Can HIV/AIDS and poverty be overcome?
What is the status of human rights 14 years after the abolition of apartheid?
Has democracy transformed social relations?
Will the ANC survive their third election?
You will have the chance to understand these issues and more through the eyes of regular South Africans both formally and informally and meet with organizations and individuals who are transforming the nation.
Trips begin in Johannesburg and move to Cape Town and include visits to important heritage sites and places of interest.
In August we will continue to celebrate the struggle and the role women play in building a nation in our annual women's delegation.
In October we will look at the social issues challenging democracy: land, health an development.

These trips are an opportunity to engage with different cultures and to understand development and democracy from a different perspective.
Join us this year!

For additional information, review our South Africa resources.

Explore Tanzania on this alternative, educational travel experience that will go beyond just the safari. Get to know the people of a nation that finds itself suddenly living somewhere between a traditional cultural existence and between the threat modern pressures of globalization pose. How are students receiving access to education and technology? Which are the Grassroots Organizations behind alternative development? Who are the people behind the local community groups and how are they comming together to support the development of children and women's rights? We will also visit Zanzibar, an island off the coast which was East Africa's slave trade center for over a thousand years, and explore how this historical reality has directly affected Tanzania.

For additional information about Tanzania review our Tanzania resources

Join Not For Sale Campaign and Global Exchange Reality Tours on a special delegation to Thailand.
We are partnering up to bring together a unique group to educate and mobilize ours international abolitionist movement.
Our Reality Tours entail understanding the causes of human trafficking, meeting with those who have been freed out of slavery (learning what it means to build a life after having been a victim of trafficking) and with those who are fighting human trafficking, as well as exploring the area and understanding the culture that you are visiting.
For additional information, review our Thailand resources.

For information on Human Rights in the United States, review our United States resources.

Join Not For Sale Campaign and Global Exchange Reality Tours on a special delegation to Uganda.Discovering Uganda means exploring a quintessential example of the complex and unique tasks facing post-colonial African states. Indeed, the formidable project of nation-state building in Africa is clearly exemplified within the Ugandan political, economic, cultural and social context. The development of this East African nation is beset with fascinating and complex issues that make it an exceptional case study within the East African community and the larger narrative of post-colonial Africa.
The actions and philosophies of President Museveni have placed the Ugandan political system at an ideological crossroads. As his second term comes to an end, the fate of democracy and power in Uganda hang in the balance. The civil war that continues to rage in the northern region has raised critical global issues surrounding human rights, child abduction, and the reconciliation of peace and justice on the international and domestic stage. The conflict continues to have devastating effects on the Ugandan people, Museveni’s political legitimacy, and countries in the region that have experienced increased strain due to the flow of irredentist populations. The progressive yet conflicted nature of gender rights and participation have also made Uganda a fascinating case study for understanding how activists are introducing and promoting new constructions of African feminism. As the global women’s movement seeks to empower women across the African continent, Ugandan women are discovering creative methods of making this empowerment meaningful and culturally sustainable.
Ultimately, travel to Uganda means bringing to life key issues facing contemporary African states. Observing the development of a country at the forefront of many critical social justice concerns. Join us as we learn about the struggles, successes and identities of Uganda, through the eyes of the people and organizations closest to the issues!
For additional information, review our Uganda resources.

Venezuela is at the center of a new, progressive model of socioeconomic development that is shaping Latin America’s future. There are few countries where everyday people actually receive the benefits of cooperation with multinationals: a redistribution of oil profit, a guarantee for healthcare written into the constitution, and record-breaking achievements in education. What's more, having been internationally ratified as a democracy during the August 2004 recall referendum, Venezuela has embarked upon some of the most innovative regional programs that Latin America has ever seen. Learn about dynamic social programs and policies that will rewrite Latin America’s regional role in the global economy. Travel with us and meet with diverse communities on an array of exciting and inspiring issues!

For additional information, review our Venezuela resources.

Download and view a QuickTime movie about our Venezuela tours or the 2006 World Social Forum delegation.

Host an event for the co-authors of the new book, Venezuela Speaks!: Voices from the Grassroots, released by PM Press with the support of Global Exchange.

Global Exchange Reality Tours offers a unique look at this remarkably beautiful and dynamic nation. Neither a tour of the battle fields, nor a shopping and eating spree, those who join the tour will see the real Viet Nam as it is today: a bustling mix of socialism and capitalism, a country still healing the war wounds, and an energetic and proud society eager to re-enter the world's stage. Our tours will give our participants an insiders connection to both urban and rural communities, the present government and relations with the US, the economy, expanding trade, health care, and education; and taking care of the many war victims. The itinerary also includes visits to exquisite historic and cultural sites as well as the breathtaking countryside of Viet Nam.

For additional information, review our Vietnam resources.

Read our fall 2005 newsletter article about the Viet Namese Victims of Agent Orange, and how Americans can support their lawsuit against US chemical corporations.