Overview

A long history of successive economic and political crises in Argentina forced different sectors not to depend on the government nor on private corporations but to find paths that enhance the collective, pulling together the available resources and recognizing that life depends on celebrating diversity and working in cooperation. Here are some of the experiences that we propose to visit, to learn from each other, to share ideas, stories, experiences:

Meet with the journalists of LaVaca to discuss the Argentine political and economic situation and the social and community responses to an industrial production model that has caused widespread impoverishment and exacerbated the climate crisis.

Visit with representatives of the largest peasant union in Argentina, the UTT, to debate and better understand how to change the productive matrix and for an agricultural system that instead of polluting everything (soil, water, crops and people) opens the possibility of sustainable life and a future for the planet.

Tour a ‘recovered’ pharmaceutical laboratory Farmacoop, managed by their workers in a democratic, horizontal way and selling medicine with the idea that “speculation is immoral”.

Visit with the workers of the UST, organized in a cooperative to maintain the park that used to be one of the largest landfills in Argentina. Explore how workers with meager resources but with technical and human responsibility were able to assume challenges that seem overpowering (i.e. confronting corporations and governments, taking charge of a landfill of enormous proportions), carrying out projects so that a dignified life is possible in otherwise devastated places.

Meet with organizers of the expanding Women’s Movement and learn about their struggle against gender violence (“Ni Una Menos”) and their battle for legal abortion (“Aborto Legal Ya!”).

Discuss with an economist the impact of the several financial crises in the country and the role of the USA and the IMF.

This tour is co-sponsored by WESPAC, WCN and Global Exchange for more information please contact wespacfoundation@gmail.com or call (914) 449-6514 or you may register here.

Possible trip extensions to visit Iguazu Falls on the Argentina/Brazil border are also available.