Mexico : Chiapas- Anniversary of NAFTA and the Zapatista Uprising
December 27, 2009
- January 04, 2010
The attention of the world was focused on Chiapas when in January 1994, the day that NAFTA went into effect, an uprising led by indigenous Mexicans brought notice to their precarious living conditions. Join us as we celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Zapatista uprising with organizations and communities supporting the movement. Learn about what has motivated the popular movements in Mexico and get to know the different movements inspired by the Zapatistas. Examine the recent history of the Chiapas region and hear about challenges facing the struggle for indigenous autonomy. Learn about the direct effects of globalization in the context of NAFTA and the on-going efforts for economic justice and democracy. Dialogue with indigenous peasants who have been working for the right to own the land upon which they live and work, and govern their communities according to indigenous traditions and customs. We will visit with diverse organizations and their representatives in the area: from community leaders to non-government civic organizations and women's cooperatives, all working for peace, justice and stability in the region. Our delegation will be based in the colonial town of San Cristóbal de Las Casas and will travel to surrounding communities to speak with indigenous and campesino organizational leaders, activists, and artisans. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet people involved in grassroots movements and exchange ideas with them while learning more about the unique history and culture of Chiapas.
Please click here for information about our guides in Chiapas.
Program Highlights:
- * Visit and stay in local communities to learn about indigenous culture and indigenous governing systems and struggles.
- * Learn about the impact of NAFTA and neoliberal policies in the indigenous communities.
- * Hear about the most recent political developments and social changes from grassroots perspectives.
- * Learn about issues of land ownership and repossession.
- * Discuss the consequences of historical inequality of land distribution and how constitutional reforms to end communal landholding have affected poor campesinos.
- * Travel to a highland community to meet and talk with members of a successful coffee cooperative.
- * Learn about indigenous organizations specialized in biodiversity and medicinal value of local plant life, and visit project sites.
- * Learn about the organizing efforts of indigenous and poor mestizo women struggling for their rights, and organizing in cooperatives to work together in solidarity and sell their products at fair prices.
- * Celebrate the history and the beauty of the people of Chiapas with the other trip participants and new friends in Mexico.
- * Hear from community and religious leaders who will discuss their visions for peace, stability and justice.
- * Health Note: In the past, this trip has included short hikes to remote communities. While this activity requires that participants be physically fit, note that if you so wish or are unable, you may opt out of this activity, and the guide will accommodate you alternatively.
- * Read a sample itinerary -- Note: this is a tentative itinerary and is subject to change.
Cost: 1000
Price Includes:
- * Double-room accommodations; two meals per day; transportation to and from all programmed activities; guides and translators; a qualified trip leader; all program activities; donations and reading materials.
- * NOT INCLUDED: Lunches, tips, and personal expenses. Single rooms available for an additional $200.00
- * * * You will secure your own air tickets. The airport to fly into is the Chiapa de Corzo airport near Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital city of the state of Chiapas. You will usually need to stop in Mexico City and change planes before you arrive in Chiapa de Corzo. The trip leader will pick participants up at the airport in Chiapa de Corzo at 2 pm and 5:30pm on December 26. Participants may depart anytime on January 3. San Cristobal de las Casas, where the program is based, is an hour from the Chiapa de Corzo airport. A less expensive option is to take a bus from Mexico City directly to San Cristobal de las Casas. The bus ride is about 14 hours and is quite safe and inexpensive. All major airlines fly to Mexico City but only a few carriers fly to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Those airlines are Mexicana, Aeromexico, and Aviasca. If you book the flight to Chiapa de Corzo together with your international flights you usually get a much better deal and often it's not much more expensive than the bus. Ask for flights to Tuxtla Gutierrez, since the Chiapa de Corzo airport is new and the search engines have not changed yet.
How to Register:
We must receive your application and a non-refundable deposit of $200 two months before departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied to late applications. Payments by Mastercard or Visa are welcome.This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.
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