issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 1 interactsummer 2005
ParticipatingParticipating inin democracydemocracy Also in this issue: Challenges in Yemen Environment in Honduras
News, analysis, ideas from the Catholic Institute for International Relations CIIR is known in some countries as International Cooperation for Development issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 2
Independent women NEW BOOK FROM CIIR The story of women’s activism in East Timor
By Irena Cristalis and Catherine Scott
Independent women is about the activism of East Timorese women and their part in the struggle for liberation from Indonesian rule. It shows how participation in this struggle empowered women and set them on a path towards greater equality with men.
The book explores the social and political dynamics that shaped the newly-independent nation, and compares the experience of women in East Timor with the experience of women in Cambodia, Mozambique and Namibia – countries that also endured periods of conflict followed by a transition to independence.
ISBN 1 85287 317 5 Based on extensive research and interviews with East 232 pages paperback Timorese women activists, Independent women Price £11.95 plus £2 p&p (p&p free to CIIR members) provides a fascinating insight into the lives and motivations of these courageous women. It will be Published on 30 August 2005 essential reading for anyone interested in the history To order a copy write to CIIR Publications, Unit 3, Canonbury Yard, and development of East Timor, the role of women in 190a New North Road, London N1 7BJ or order online from www.ciir.org independence struggles, or women’s rights in general.
CIIR Annual General Meeting Friday 7th October 2005 The interfaith challenge Working together for peace and development Dr Chandra Muzaffar
London Voluntary Sector Resource Centre 356 Holloway Road London N7 6PA
All welcome
The AGM will start at 6pm, with Dr Chandra speaking at 7pm A buffet supper will be served at 8.30 pm
Dr Chandra Muzaffar is a Malaysian Muslim scholar, activist and head of the International Movement for a Just World. issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 3
interact summer 2005 Contents editorial
4 4 diary: the journey to development Participating 5 agenda: it’s just me, what can I do? in democracy 6 news: supporting West Papua Standing alone, people’s voices will not be heard. Together they have a chance. And they have insight: participating in democracy 10 more of a chance if they can seize opportunities to participate in the democratic or decision- 8 No democracy without us 10 making process. Women in East Timor CIIR/ICD has made promoting civil society 10 Constructing a new participation one of its three strategic aims over meaning the next five years. This edition of Interact looks Community radio in Ecuador at some of the ways in which people in the countries where CIIR/ICD works are already 11 From small beginnings getting involved and participating – sometimes, Citizen participation in Peru as the story on community radio in Ecuador shows, with amazing results.
action The ability to ‘participate in democracy’ is also a 12 key issue for those of us living in the global North, where the structures of formal democracy 12 The fight for life have over the years managed to largely refine out Opposing environmental the voice of the people. Consequently people fed destruction in Honduras up with the way the world is being run are turning to other methods of making their views known. viewpoint 14 Thanks to the participation of millions of ordinary people in campaigns like Make Poverty History, 14 Moving one step forward our leaders are having to sit up and take notice. Capacity building in Honduras The articles in this Interact show the inspiration that we can gain from people in the global 15 Stone flowers South. We in the North must keep the pressure Sex workers in El Salvador up at our end, if we are to play our part in making another world possible. 16 Putting democracy to the test Elections in Somaliland
18 17 country profile: Zimbabwe Editor 18 interview: Marvin Zavala
19 reflection: defender of the poor
Cover picture: A young boy sporting a sticker for Olandina 20 review Caiero, a candidate in the 2001 elections in East Timor. Photo: Irene Slegt/CIIR.
Published Aug 2005 by the Catholic In some countries, Editor Alastair Whitson Institute for International Relations CIIR operates under Director of Communications Nick Sireau Unit 3, Canonbury Yard, the name of Executive Director Christine Allen 190a New North Road, London N1 7BJ International Cooperation Design Twenty-Five Educational www.ciir.org tel +44 (0) 20 7354 0883 for Development (ICD). CIIR/ICD works Printing APG (ISO 14001 accreditation for fax +44 (0) 20 7359 0017 with local partners and people for international environmental standards) Charity reg. in the UK no. 294329 sustainable development and the Recycle this magazine! Don’t throw it ISSN 1816-045X Company reg. no. 2002500 eradication of poverty. away. Lend it to your friends or recycle it. issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 4
diary
Boys on the roadside between Sana’a and Hodeidah.
The journey to Nick Sireau/CIIR Some fellow development workers from other international organisations have jokingly told me that there are several kinds of development NGOs operating in Yemen, such as ‘suitcase NGOs’, ‘one-man NGOs’, ‘mobile phone NGOs’ and ‘plastic bag NGOs’. Initially I laughed at this, but it made me reflect that these are the kinds of NGOs that I might be working with. What lies ahead is indeed very challenging and will no doubt require a lot of creativity. I hope and pray that I can cope with what is required and needed from me.
Opportunity I have always wanted to work outside my own country, so I am very glad of this opportunity to take part in catalysing change in Yemen. However, coming here meant that I had to leave my family in the Philippines. This was Joy Jakosalem- ARRIVED IN SANA’A, the capital of can see that Yemeni women are a difficult decision to make, but I Balane, from Yemen, on 7 February, together somewhat restricted in public life am fortunate to have a very the Philippines, Iwith my son Jon River. The (compared to my Filipino culture), supportive husband who urged reflects on her journey from the Philippines was a I also see several Yemeni women me to take this opportunity. His first few long one, but it was only the start working outside the confines of constant support and reassurance weeks as a of my journey – a journey into their homes – particularly in that he and my two other kids are development Yemeni culture on which I would development work. This for me is fine in the Philippines keeps me worker in learn much, not just about the very positive and a good start for strong. Yemen country, but also about myself. putting forward the ideas of At times I wonder how many I have two words to describe gender and development. other women like me have the Yemenis – ‘very warm’. In I will be working on CIIR/ICD’s dreamed of working in a foreign general the people are welcoming capacity building project for civil country but cannot do so because and friendly. I am always struck by society organisations. There is a of their family and the kids. But the closeness between Yemeni great challenge ahead in building bringing my son Jon River here men. They are very expressive, the capacity of local organisations with me has been a great help. especially when greeting each and of civil society in general. Working in a foreign country and other, kissing each other’s cheeks Most non-governmental in a different culture can be lonely, and even giving each other a hug. organisations (NGOs) are still in but having Jon River to go home to I also see a lot of men friends the initial phase of formation, and after work keeps that loneliness at walking along the streets holding will need a lot of support in the bay. hands. In my country, this would areas of organisational and Of course, I did not expect my be taboo. human development. experience in Yemen to be always an easy one. At times, I find Challenges Potential solace in believing that during Before I came to Yemen, I had the At the same time, the local NGOs difficult times a person’s courage, pre-conceived idea that Arab in Yemen have great potential. For creativity and spirit are put to the culture is very strict, particularly one thing, Islam has built in test. I believe we can come concerning women. Shortly after I among its followers the value of through this test, and that I and arrived, on a visit to the coastal giving to the poor. Most NGOs my son can be part of the journey city of Hodeidah, I wore for the have received contributions from to development of the Yemini first time the balto, a traditional individual businessmen for their people through CIIR/ICD. costume for Yemeni women. Yet charitable work. This practice is Yemenis are far from the Arab favourable to NGOs and not Joy Jakosalem-Balane is a CIIR/ICD culture that I originally imagined, something I have seen (at least to development worker in Yemen. and I am glad about this. While I this degree) in the Philippines. She is from the Philippines.
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agenda It’s just me, agenda what can I do?
ANYOFUSare We must all live out our solidarity with the people of the world, disappointed with the writes Christine Allen Moutcome of the G8 summit at Gleneagles. We all there is a price to pay. At the Barbara Wearne, expected more from our leaders. moment, through unjust trade a contributor to There can be no doubt that rules, post-colonial heritage and the CIIR G8 people have made their concerns international institutions, it is the dream tree known. Whether in the UK as a poor and the planet who pay the (see page 7): ‘Campaigning result of Make Poverty History, or price for our wealth and our since 1942. Keep elsewhere in the world through lifestyles here in the ‘rich north’. it going. The the Global Call to Action Against The natural resources found in the clouds are Poverty, people have found a real ‘poor south’ are extracted and breaking…’ strength and force to their desire processed for the consumption of for a more just world. I hope that the rich at the expense very often this energy and passion will not of the locality. The campaign has reflection of the life of one of Fr now turn to cynicism and despair. raised awareness that it is this Tamayo’s fellow countrymen, For, while the outcome from the inequality and injustice that has to Archbishop Oscar Romero. Fr leaders can be seen as a first step, be addressed if poverty really, truly Tamayo was once ‘accused’ of much more needs to be done. is to be made history. following in Romero’s footsteps. ‘I In recent months the campaign We all need inspiration, am,’ he said, proudly. for change has massively dedication and support to respond ‘I know of many who have increased awareness and to this challenge. One such died in the struggle,’ he said, ‘and discussion about issues of global inspiration is Fr José Andrés one feels impotent in the face of poverty and development. CIIR Tamayo, who came over to power.’ Yet they are inspired to has been invoved in conferences, Europe at CIIR’s invitation to speak workshops and events both large at a conference on climate change It is the poor and the planet who pay and small that have sought to held during the G8 and at other inspire, inform and mobilise meetings. the price for our wealth and our people in the cause of Make From El Salvador originally, he lifestyles here in the ‘rich north’ Poverty History. These events give works with a community in all of us the time and space to Olancho, Honduras, leading and continue in their struggle by their consider the issues in more depth supporting the community in their faith, their courage and their and in a wider context than one work to stop illegal loggers from solidarity with one another – and usually gets from media coverage devastating the forests in the knowing too of the solidarity that – including exploring what they locality. For Fr Tamayo, his exists around the world. mean to each of us in our daily commitment to life encompasses So when I feel tempted to lives. all of creation. The defence of our cynicism or despair, I remind Coming out of these events is environment is the defence of life myself of the courage and a strong view that change must – not just because poor fortitude of people like Fr Tamayo. also happen at the individual level. communities depend on the People who live out that call of Often people say, ‘I am only me, environment for their livelihoods, the church to make their own the what can I do?’ It is easy to think but because of the sacredness of joys and hopes, sorrows and that as individuals there is nothing creation itself. anxieties of the people of the we can do and that the power lies He has witnessed the world, especially those who are elsewhere. Yet while we can press devastating effects of logging on suffering. for change at the macro policy the diverse Olancho landscape level, we also have a range of and seen the resultant poverty. He Christine Allen is CIIR’s executive opportunities as consumers, as has seen its people intimidated, director. educators, as people in networks harassed and even murdered with and faith groups to affect how we the complicity of the logging interactnow live our lives. companies who control the area. See page 7 for more on Make Poverty History and the G8, In this area, I have noticed that At one point there was a price put page 12 for more on Fr Tamayo, and page 19 for more on Oscar Romero. people are much more aware that on Fr Tamayo’s head. This is a
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news
Faith groups lend support CIIR seeks to West Papua new name
NETWORK of faith based In 2001, the territory was IIR has embarked on a organisations has come promised special autonomy in a process of finding a new Atogether to support law passed by the central Cname for the organisation, religious and traditional leaders in government in Jakarta. This was and if all goes well hopes to West Papua in promoting Papua to include the setting up of a local unveil its new name in September, as a land of peace, writes parliament and the allocation of shortly before the Annual General Catherine Scott. 70 per cent of profits from the Meeting. The political situation in West mining of its rich natural resources CIIR’s director of Papua continues to result in to development in the territory. communications, Nick Sireau, violence and conflict. Sometimes This was seen by the military as a explains: ‘Times are changing fast this is deliberately provoked by direct threat to its interests. The and we need to reach out to new acts of aggression perpetrated law as a consequence has never generations of members and against the people by the been properly implemented. supporters with our message of Indonesian military, whose Instead a more recent presidential hope and justice. We need to presence in the territory has decree has set about dividing the communicate to young and old to recently been increased to a total province into separate regions. attract them to our cause.’ of some 45-50,000 troops. The Religious leaders travelled to CIIR’s origins go back to 1940, Geneva in March this year while when the organisation was set up interactnow Indonesia was chairing the 61st by radical Catholics with the aim Further details on the Papua Land of Peace campaign, as session of the United Nations of denouncing fascism and well as the full text of the ‘Geneva Appeal on West Commission on Human Rights. promoting justice. Originally called Papua’, are available at www.ciir.org along with suggestions for action. The leaders met with a growing the Sword of the Spirit, the name network of faith based was changed to the Catholic organisations which has been Institute for International Relations high level of militarisation has meeting regularly to give in the 1960s to better reflect the resulted in ongoing human rights international support and international policy thinking that violations and killings of attention to the Land of Peace was then the focus of the indigenous Papuans when they campaign. organisation’s work. stand up for their rights as citizens A statement was released after Since then the organisation of their own land. the meeting entitled the ‘Geneva has developed in new directions, West Papua was annexed by Appeal on West Papua’. The pioneering new approaches in the Indonesia in 1969 in what is statement has been widely fight against poverty through its increasingly acknowledged to have circulated in many languages model of sending development been a fraudulent, but nonetheless worldwide and calls upon the workers to work in partnership UN sanctioned, ‘Act of Free government of Indonesia to with local organisations in Choice’. Most Papuans have not demilitarise, enter into dialogue countries around the world. accepted Indonesian rule. with Papuans, implement the Nick Sireau says: ‘We need a special autonomy law and grant new name that captures how the ciirresource Papuans their rights. organisation has moved on. We It further urges Indonesia to are no longer an institute; nor do open up West Papua to visits from we focus on international Find out more the United Nations Commission relations. We are an international about West on Human Rights and to allow development agency at the Papua by reading this CIIR journalists and other foreign cutting edge of development Comment by visitors free access to the territory. work at the grassroots.’ Neles Tebay – The statement also calls upon CIIR has therefore been download for people of faith to join the carrying out a thorough process free at www.ciir.org campaign. As Bishop Leo Laba of research and creation in order Ladjar of the Catholic Diocese of to find a suitable new name. Jayapura said in March 2005: ‘The Mildred Nevile, a former general one thing we desire is to live with secretary of CIIR, commented: dignity as human beings; and to ‘We changed our name before realise this, we want to create an when the times required it. I atmosphere of justice and peace, think it’s time we change it again which will enable the growth of to build on our success and the common good and welfare of attract a new generation of Visit www.ciir.org for a full list of CIIR Comments our people.’ supporters.’
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news
Campaigners urge leaders to go further on poverty
AKE POVERTY HISTORY The Make Poverty History campaigners have in a statement says that the proposal Mstatement expressed by the G8 to cancel some of the their disappointment that the debt owed by some countries ‘is a leaders of the G8 ‘have chosen small step compared to the giant not to do all that campaigners leap that was called for’. On the insist is necessary to free people proposed increase in aid trapped in the prison of poverty’. announced by the G8, it says that A statement issued by the while this will save lives ‘this aid Make Poverty History campaign will still arrive five years too late says: ‘The G8 have not met the and falls far short of the scale of challenge of trade justice.’ Despite aid that is needed to end poverty some hints that African countries in the world’s poorest countries.’ may be allowed to set their own The campaign statement also trade policies, the G8 through the regrets the failure to make World Trade Organisation is likely progress on climate change. to continue to force open In conclusion, the Make developing country markets. Poverty History campaigners say: ‘G8 leaders decided not to set ‘Important steps have been taken a date for ending the export ... But more action is urgently subsidies that destroy livelihoods needed. of poor countries around the ‘The people of the world are world,’ says the Make Poverty already on the road to justice. History statement. ‘By forcing free They expect their leaders to be trade on poor countries, dumping with them.’ agricultural products and not regulating multinational companies, they have chosen not interactnow to take the necessary decisions to Read the statement in full at www.makepovertyhistory.org make poverty history.’
Jairo Rolong and Yvonne Pickering
WO CIIR/ICD development and distinct country with more workers have died in justice for everyone.’ Tseparate road accidents in Yvonne Pickering died in an June and July. accident in Namibia in July. She Jairo Rolong died in an had been working since 2002 as accident in June. He had been coordinator of the regional working with CIIR/ICD in Ecuador education programme of the San for eight years, including six years Children’s Access to Education as a communications specialist Project of WIMSA (the Working with the Confederation of the Group of Indigenous Minorities in Kichwa Peoples of Ecuador Southern Africa). She has written (Ecuarunari). Jairo, who was from inspiringly of her work in previous Colombia, was 43. editions of Interact (summer 2004 Humberto Cholando, president and spring 2005). Yvonne, who of Ecuarunari, said: ‘Jairo was 61, was British. cooperated unconditionally and Christine Allen, executive full-time with social organisations director of CIIR/ICD, said: ‘Jairo and the indigenous movement. and Yvonne were both very We can testify that his talented development workers, commitment to the cause of the deeply committed to the rights of poorest and dispossessed was people who are excluded and untiring and praiseworthy. His marginalised. They will be sadly greatest dream was to see a new missed by all who knew them.’
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insight: participating in democracy
T 8.30 IN THE MORNING, the vehicle of the government’s Nick Sireau/CIIR AOffice for the Promotion of Equality (OPE) pulled into Aileu. It was 28 May 2005 and we – myself from CIIR and two other trainers (one from OPE and one from the Women’s Caucus) – arrived to hold leadership training in the district. We headed directly to the Bombeiros building, where the training would be held. Gathered in the room were dozens of women. Most of them appeared to be in their 30s. The majority were housewives, but there were also teachers, social workers and farmers. All of them live in the different villages that make up the Aileu district. As a nation committed to democratic principles, the government of Timor Leste is making serious efforts to give democracy meaning at the local level. One effort towards this is a programme of local elections to create a structure of governance at the level closest to the community. These elections are intended to select representatives who will serve as village heads, neighbourhood leaders and on neighbourhood councils. These representatives originate from the locality and are elected directly by the local communities. Once appointed, representatives will work to coordinate agreed work programmes of the village council and establish mechanisms for consultation between the village and other layers A woman from Aileu, East Timor. of government. They will also work to create a community-based system of governance that can, among other things, resolve conflicts that arise in the community. No democracy Opportunities Seeing the opportunities related to this local process of democratisation, women’s organisations have been without us trying to boost women’s chances of actively participating and ultimately gaining leadership positions in their Ivete de Oliveira describes how women of Timor Leste (East villages and communities. Timor) are working to claim their place in local governance The Women’s Caucus, a prominent women’s organisation, has been leading efforts to encourage women to take their place on the political stage. The Caucus has played two key roles. Firstly, in cooperation with the national
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insight: participating in democracy
electoral commission and a national than 20 villages, only five of the network to support local-level councils have women (and even elections, it has undertaken then, no more than one member). Nick Sireau/CIIR campaigning and voter education in Meanwhile, in Ermera and Oecusse, all 13 districts in Timor Leste. three of the village councils have not Secondly, the Caucus has been appointed a woman youth holding leadership training for representative. women who hope to run for Pressures have not only come election. This is no minor feat – even from local communities, which tend in this small country of Timor Leste to be very patriarchal, but also from where there are 13 districts, 60 sub- political parties and powers. The districts and more than 400 villages. local elections are regarded as a The series of local elections began gauge of political strength and also in October 2004 and is expected to as an entry ticket to general elections be completed in October 2005. The in 2007. Because of this, political voter education programme has so parties have shown a keen interest in far been held in 11 districts and the these local elections and sought to leadership training in eight districts. Ivete de Olivera get ‘their people’ into power. Our visit to Aileu was part of the programme of leadership training, enthusiasm and desire to lead among Ambition which was sponsored by the the women of Timor Leste. It is not These pressures, however, are not European Commission through only the trainers who work enough to discourage the ambition Unifem (the United Nations untiringly to encourage women to of the women of Timor Leste to Development Fund for Women) in run for election. Participants also come forward and put themselves in Timor Leste. give each other a great deal of the running. An independent encouragement and even agree to try candidate for the position of village Enthusiasm to persuade their families and head, Tia Ana, confided during a During the training, one thing was communities to vote for fellow break in the training: ‘They [the clear – there was no shortage of women candidates. ruling party] say that if I want to run enthusiasm. Judging by the large in the election, I have to join their number of women who turned out Support party. But I don’t want to. I would to attend the training, they clearly Women in Aileu district have tried to rather run myself as an welcome the chance to run for learn from the experience of women independent.’ election. The organisers had planned in districts that have already held Dusk came quickly and the for 30 participants, but in the end 60 elections and who have found that training wound down. Lacking women attended. There was no end women often lose out to ‘the transport of their own, participants to their stream of questions, most opposite sex’. They have learnt that came along in our car. We dropped often related to leadership, gender, it is important for women candidates them off by the roadside, and from politics and governance. The women to get the support of their husbands then on, they had to brave the cold were also keen to learn about and other men in the community and walk the many kilometres along campaign strategies and ways to win who are often more inclined to elect dirt tracks to their villages. the support of traditional leaders, the a male leader. They realise that Meanwhile, we continued our church and their own families. women in other districts have not journey back to Dili, the capital. Maria Esposto, the trainer from been able to reach their target for This is only a short episode in the the Women’s Caucus, admitted: ‘I women to win 30 per cent of the longer narrative about a country that have always found the participation positions up for election. So far, only has only newly freed itself from and enthusiasm of the women of six women have successfully been colonialism, but it is also an episode Timor Leste to be overwhelming. elected as village heads (compared to that conveys the commitment of the When we held training in Baucau, over 200 men), and only 15 women women of Timor Leste to play an many women protested because have won seats on neighbourhood active role in the process of nation there was a limit on the number of councils. building. women who could participate.’ Women are not so concerned Another trainer, Julieta Ferreira, about their position on the village Ivete de Oliveira is CIIR’s women’s added: ‘We generally plan to have advisory council. They are advocacy officer in East Timor. only 30 participants, but in the end guaranteed by law at least three out up to 100 come along. Sometimes we of the seven seats, and one of these have difficultly accommodating is reserved for a woman youth them all.’ representative. The problem is, The director of the Women’s however, that in practice the make- interactnow Read more about women’s activism in East Caucus, Teresinha Cardoso, says the up of these councils has not been in Timor in the new CIIR book Independent Caucus is inspired to meet this accordance with the law. In women – see the advert on page 2 for more challenge by the high degree of Bobonaro, for example, of the more details.
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insight: participating in democracy
becomes a big community which takes part creatively in the interchange of ideas, in the Constructing a construction of meaning. Protests The protests of the people of Quito new meaning began when the president acted contrary to the constitution. One bad day last December, this man People’s voices in Ecuador, broadcast by a community radio station, removed from office the Supreme led to the downfall of a president, writes Luis Tavara Court judges and appointed other judges according to his interests. In HEY SAY ECUADOR is not an easy the owners of the big addition he intervened in the country. For many, it is communications media, in a costly Electoral Tribunal and, as if this were Tungovernable. Wasn’t campaign to keep in power. But any not enough, took control of the president Abdalá Bucarám campaign, big or small, is destined to Congress through his party, thus overthrown in 1997, after less than a fail when the sense of reality is making it impossible to rectify the year in power? Didn’t the same thing constructed in another direction by errors committed. happen to Jamil Mahuad in 2001, the very audiences that are targeted The citizen’s protest began at this before he had been president of by the campaign. And if those point. And it gained in strength Ecuador for two years? audiences can count also on a means when the then president committed And last April, another president of communication through which the last of his mistakes: he brought of Ecuador was overthrown, this time they can express themselves, then back to Ecuador the ex-president by the people of the capital. That is anything is possible. And that is Bucarám, who had taken refuge in the fact. President Lucio Gutiérrez what happened: what the Panama and was sought by the was overthrown by the men and government did not think possible. courts on grave corruption charges. women of Quito. Radio La Luna is part of CIIR/ICD Except that instead of going to jail, What happened? Were the partner organisation ALER, the Latin Bucarám was welcomed as a powerful military not defending Gutiérrez? American Association of Radio and victorious leader. Were the media not his friends – the Education. For eight years it has While the tone of the citizens’ ones who decided to keep quiet and transmitted to the two million protest rose and some dared to say nothing about the popular people of Quito, the capital of demonstrate in front of the protests? How was it then that a Ecuador. The radio stations affiliated president’s personal residence, peaceful citizens’ protest was able to to ALER are known as grassroots Gutiérrez used the mainstream media grow so much that it ended with the radio, community radio, citizen to suggest that the movement fall of the president? radio. They are stations which against him was simply a group of encourage audience participation ‘bandits’ – a word used in the Possibilities and involve their audience in the A few weeks earlier, some journalists production of the messages had discovered that the that are transmitted. The Haz bulla! Make a noise! Protesters show the way at the Americas Social government had paid large principal result of this is Forum held in Quito in July 2004. sums of money to that the audience Mauricio Ushiña
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insight: participating in democracy
Spanish language to designate because the people’s participation and carrying out a number of delinquents and those outside the increased much more. Thousands of activities which ended with the law. young people, adults, children and overthrow of the president. It was old people arrived at the not a question of a revolt or of an Identity transmission studios and hundreds ungovernable people. The people With all the important means of of them queued patiently to identify became aware that all possible ways communication on his side, the themselves as members of the of respecting the constitution had president seemed to have won his ‘Bandit Movement’ and express their been exhausted, and the duty of a battle. Except for a small detail: ideas, live and direct, on air. good citizen consisted not only in Radio La Luna had once again overthrowing the government, but in opened its microphones to the Reality laying down the basis for a lasting audience. Through thousands of What the radio did was nothing change in the country. telephone calls people began to forge other than construct meaning. Every In Latin America, Radio La Luna is a new identity, calling themselves interpretation of reality has two only one example of what many ‘bandits’. They shared on air and dimensions: what each one other radio stations are doing. Today, without barriers a rain of creative interprets ( subjective dimension) the ALER stations are present in rural protests on how to put an end to the and what the social group interprets and urban areas, supporting popular government of president Gutiérrez (inter-subjective dimension). The organisations and projects with their and re-found a republic free of conjugation of both is the symbolic programming. In the end, everything corruption and exclusion. reality which we construct, and this begins and ends with communication, The government responded by is what we call ‘meaning’. and communication with the cutting the telephone lines and The process of construction of production of meaning. interfering with Radio La Luna’s meaning of the citizens of Quito signal, but in vain, because ALER put mediated by Radio La Luna resulted Luis Tavara is a CIIR/ICD development its satellite transmission equipment in the people constructing an worker with ALER. A specialist in radio at the disposal of La Luna, and identity, setting out clear objectives training, he is from Peru.
From small beginnings rights and their duties and exercise them. Beyond the act of Carmen Veiga describes how a community organisation in Cusco, voting they are an active part of Peru, encourages citizen participation in local democracy local and regional politics. Coincide’s office is in a central FEW WEEKS AGO we began our organise to make it happen, each avenue, it is relatively large and 2005 leadership courses. one from their own abilities and those who work in it are at first ATwo groups of about 30 possibilities. sight not many. But there is much men and women arrived, of Young people have a particularly coming and going of people of all different ages and from different important space in the programme. ages, social classes and social classes, but united in their Young men and women, students or occupations. There is no register eagerness to learn. Throughout the workers, come to our offices where of the number of people who nine months of the course we they meet and plan and invade us come to the office every day, nor prepare each session with the with their enthusiasm, their of the reasons why they come, but needs and expectations of each happiness and their desire to they are always welcomed, and participant and the political and transform the world. They are the synergies are supported and social situation in mind. The tomorrow, the future citizens. They encouraged. sessions are strung like the beads are the hope. That’s why they are In a country where more often of a necklace with the thread of important. than not one only sees the our appreciation of each other and Democracy and citizen poverty, the needs, the difficulties our differences. participation are key themes for or the wrongs of the political and Seven classes have already Coincide. In a country where the social situation, it is a privilege to graduated from these leadership basic rights of citizens have not work side by side with people who courses run by Coincide always been respected, it is admirable have their feet on the ground and (Coordinadora Intercentros de to see how today men and women of are nourished by hope, by a faith Investigación, Desarrollo y any social background take part in in a better tomorrow, who build Educación), from which some 60 the decisions of the authorities, democracy day by day, step by people continue to be in touch propose projects in which to invest, step. through an organisation they have or carry them out. I won’t say that created. With the support of everything goes perfectly – of course Carmen Veiga is a CIIR/ICD Coincide they draw up their plans, there are many difficulties – but little development worker with Coincide. put forward themes, meet and by little the citizens learn about their She is from Spain.
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Vanessa Kurz/CIIR D 2interact 12 has beenfarfrom easy. Poverty in rural weathered bystormsthatsuggestlife that isproud andstrong. Butherfaceis market. Hereyestwinklewith a spirit to eatandsellintheneighbouring and maize–crops thatherfamilyrely on action OÑA backed byfieldsofsugarcane farmhouse sitsonaplotofland Two charismaticfigures are ignitingoppositioninHondurasto C ATALINA Summer 2005 destruction oftheenvironment, writes The ’ S ramshackle for to mywaist,’sheremembers. ‘Butnow through Campamentousedtoreach up for familieslikeherstoekeout aliving. logging, ismakingitincreasingly difficult rampant deforestation andillegal drop inthewatertablecausedby market priceofsugar, combinedwitha Honduras isrife,andthefluctuating ‘One ofthemainriversthatpasses fight life Finola Robinson everywhere tobeseen. everywhere The impactoflogginginOlanchois moratorium onlogging. community leaderscallingfora10-year a coalitionofsmall-scalefarmersand Environmental MovementofOlancho)– CIIR/ICD partnerorganisationMAO(the small townofSalamaandleader Tamayo. Catholic priestcalledFrJoséAndrés one man:acharismaticSalvadorean 30,000 strong. protesters reached thecapitaltheywere different pointsinHondurasandwhen country-folk tooktothestreets from five about speakingout.Farmersand and peoplebecamemore courageous triple asenvironmental awareness grew ( and tofightforlife.’ walked tofightagainstdeforestation further, Iwouldhavewalkedforlonger. I healthy andifthedistancehadbeen walking,’ sheexplains.‘Mybonesare march inJuticalpaandjustcarriedon by supportivestrangers.‘Istartedthe side oftheroad orinhousesoffered up At nightshesleptunderthestarsby meagre dietofplaintortillasandwater. walked allday, everyday, fuelledbya sprightly 78-year-old, DoñaCatalina country’s capitalcity, Tegucigalpa. Asa Olancho regional capitalJuticalpatothe thousands walk175milesfrom the a week-longprotest march thatsaw unexpected nationalfigure afterjoining In 2003,DoñaCatalinabecamean Courage water.’ It’s gettingharder andharder tofind easily justbysteppingonafewstones. it’s justatrickle:youcanwalkoverit water supplyandthreatens theregion’s soil erosion hasdriedupmuchofthe 12 millionacres offorest. Theresulting logging hasalready destroyed halfofthe Honduras’s largestregion, unregulated 109,000 footballpitches.InOlancho, year –roughly theequivalentinsizeto down astaggering267,000acres each wealthy UScorporations,are mowing authorities andfuelledbymoneyfrom operating incahootswithHonduran biggest environmental threat. Loggers, Deforestation isnowthecountry’s single Threat rnMarchaporlaVida Gran Fr Tamayo isparishpriestofOlancho’s Protestors onbothmarches followed The followingyear’s March forLife ) sawnumbers issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 13
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rich but fragile ecosystem, home to a terrifying logging mafias who roam the dazzling array of more than 500 species area with a list drafted by local sawmill of birds, rare species of trees, owners of 17 environmentalists to
endangered plants and animals. target. Kurz/CIIR Vanessa Only a small percentage of the Fr Tamayo is top of the hit-list, yet he logging is legal. Estimates show that refuses to be scared into silence. ‘If we illegal, clandestine logging accounts for let the powerful elite take away our more than three-quarters of hardwood means to earn a living, we are allowing production and nearly half of pinewood them to turn us into victims and take production. Thanks to loopholes in away our right to live,’ he says. ‘The Honduran forestry laws, much of the environment may not be a fashionable remaining production is ‘legalised’ – topic but it is a problem that we just accompanied by documents and permits cannot see in isolation from other parts and therefore legal from a bureaucratic of life.’ perspective – but it is common practice ‘Today, national and transnational for loggers to abuse these regulations. companies are taking possession of what One permit can be used time and again, belongs to the people. Millions of living for instance, or a licence granted for creatures, including man, are being pine will be used to fell other stripped of their rights just because of hardwoods. It is now impossible to trace the ambitions of a few. Surely, to act Fr Tamayo talks to environmentalists watched the flow of wood around the country. against nature is to act against (background) by logging contractors. humanity. Show me a human being who Hit-list does not live from nature.’ they could not afford a coffin. The Olancho’s rich landscape gives the region contrast between the wealth of the a lush and seemingly tranquil beauty. Survival natural resources and the poverty of the Undulating hills carpeted with tall, Yet there seems little political will to turn people was so stark that Fr Tamayo felt majestic pine trees are dotted with the situation around. The wood industry he had no choice but to act. He has clusters of rustic houses that imply a is mired in accusations of corruption and campaigned to protect the environment harmonious marriage of man and most Hondurans suspect loggers work ever since. nature. But scratch beneath the surface hand in hand with government officials In 2001 Fr Tamayo formed MAO, and and a bitter, bloody war is raging and wealthy cattle ranchers, for whom in 2003 he was awarded the Honduras between environmentalists, loggers and logging is a profitable side-business. National Human Rights Award. Then, in corrupt government officials: a war that Olancho was already in the grip of April this year, he won the Goldman has seen Fr Tamayo publicly denounced, these loggers when, in 1985, Fr Tamayo Environmental Prize. His campaign goes physically assaulted, and threatened with moved there with the church after his from strength to strength. A trip to the death; a war that has even led to the ordination into the priesthood. He UK in July – hosted by CIIR/ICD – saw brutal murder of three MAO activists, discovered his parishioners’ biggest him voice his concerns to delegates at including 23-year-old priest Carlos concern was how to survive amid the Global Warming 8, a climate change Arturo Reyes, shot dead in his own environmental destruction. His pivotal event hosted in the run-up to the G8 backyard. The murderers escaped justice moment came when a parishioner had summit in Gleneagles. Later that same but are believed to be part of the to be buried in a plastic sack because week, he addressed the National Justice and Peace AGM where he received a standing ovation. ‘How can we talk Doña Catalina about defending life,’ he said, ‘if we do not defend our environment?’
Vanessa Kurz/CIIR Vanessa Next on the agenda is a Meso- American March for Life from Panama to Mexico, to protest against CAFTA (the Central America Free Trade Agreement), as well as deforestation and the extraction of natural resources. As Doña Catalina points out: ‘It is up to all of us to do something to protect the environment and the life we have – for the happiness of Honduras, the air, the water, for all the children who are growing up in this country. For the future. What else do we have?’
Finola Robinson is CIIR/ICD’s press and information officer. She visited Honduras in February.
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viewpoint
Seeds of change: a farmer in Honduras.
we also now plan long term training processes that link theory and practice, Vanessa Kurz/CIIR Vanessa and provide monitoring and support after the training sessions.
Impact Once we have achieved change at the individual level, how can this generate change at the organisational level? Training beneficiaries can face various obstacles once they are back within their Marion Guillermard describes how a capacity building programme in organisation. Superiors or managers may Honduras aims to overcome some of the barriers to success lack understanding of or be resistant to new ideas. For example, a finance officer will face problems if the board of directors or administrative staff prefer to have the organisation managed with a Moving certain lack of transparency. The organisation as a whole may not give priority or time to the problem to one step be resolved. As institutional strengthening takes time, can be painful, and is not easily visible, often everybody – donors, local organisations and forward beneficiaries – prefers instead to invest time and energy in short term, ‘easy’ and visible projects. N ORDER TO PROMOTE civil society tools, systems or equipment, but to an There may also be conflicts of participation and local democracy in a inability or lack of desire to implement interest, function or responsibility within Isustainable way, one could argue that changes. the organisation that make change it is first necessary to strengthen local Sometimes, due to their personal, difficult to agree upon or implement. civil society. However, what does this social and/or professional history and Similarly, the different demands and mean? What kind of obstacles are we context, people do not want to change expectations that various donors can facing when doing it? And what should their way of working, even though they have towards the organisation, for we take into account to make it work may accept that it is not the best way of example in terms of planning and better? doing things. For example, some reporting tools, can make it difficult to The following reflections are based directors will continue trying to design and introduce new institutional on 17 months’ experience with a civil mismanage funds to serve their own tools or ways of working. society strengthening project in personal interests, although they have In order to respond to this challenge, Honduras. The objective of this three been trained in financial management we need to focus, in the long term, on year project is to reduce poverty by and know that they should not do it this the few and most important problems improving, in a sustainable way, the way. the organisations face, and ensure that quality and distribution of the products In other cases, due to a lack of the resolution of these problems is and services offered by four local interest, motivation, or financial or promoted by the whole organisation – farmers’ organisations. To achieve this, logistical support, the training and in particular its decision-makers – as we aim to improve the skills of staff and beneficiary does not have the capacity or well as important donors. directors through training. We also aim time to reflect on the acquired Strengthening a local organisation to help the organisations set up systems knowledge and translate it into an requires establishing a very close and that will enable them to function more improved way of working. Sometimes – trustful relation with that organisation. effectively, and establish sustainable and due to various factors such as To influence changes of attitudes and independent sources of funding. communication or transport problems or behaviour, one must first understand the lack of time – participants in the training organisation’s internal and external Attitudes are not always the most appropriate context. It may be that this is a process However, as in every development people within the organisation, or are that does not yield easy or immediate project, we are facing a number of not able to participate in the whole results, but with the right approach obstacles which make progress slow. A training process. hopefully all involved will eventually see major challenge is how to encourage a In order to respond to this challenge, its value. change of attitudes and behaviour at the we are now trying to improve the individual level. Problems in the way an selection of the participants by giving Marion Guillermard is a CIIR/ICD organisation functions can be down not the local organisations selection criteria. development worker in Honduras. She is to a lack of knowledge, information, Rather than isolated training workshops, from France.
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viewpoint
Reina Isabel Vidal and Monica Calvo Ortiz in the offices of Flor de Piedra. Vanessa Kurz/CIIR Vanessa
I had two children to feed on my own and my cousin said that sex work was really no different to sleeping with a boyfriend. I was so desperate, I agreed to do it.’
Rights Although prostitution is legal in El Salvador, the public perception of sex workers is mired in prejudice and hostility. Sex workers and homosexuals are regarded as the source of HIV and violent assaults are common. CIIR/ICD development worker Monica Calvo Ortiz is working with Flor de Piedra to strengthen its communications strategy and improve public awareness of the rights of sex workers. She says: ‘The main reason someone becomes a Stone sex worker is lack of money but most of the women have family problems. Sometimes women can’t even get the most basic job and life just imposes this flowers situation on them.’ Dignity A pioneering organisation in El Salvador is helping to raise the self- Flor de Piedra was set up in 1990. The esteem of sex workers, writes Finola Robinson word ‘flower’ in the name was chosen to reflect the beauty of women and ‘stone’ represents the hard life they lead. T’S A HOT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON in San accessible to the organisation’s members Flor de Piedra now works on a wide Salvador, El Salvador’s busy capital city. and users – the sex workers who trade range of activities, including preventative ICrowds throng the streets: market- in the nearby parks and brothels. health schemes, education, awareness traders ply their wares along the raising and condom distribution. There’s roadside, people shop for fruit and Desperation also a psychotherapist who gives vegetables, students wait at bus-stops. Reina Isabel Vidal, 43, first visited Flor de individual sessions, free of charge, and a San Salvador is a city buzzing with life. Piedra five years ago after hearing about lawyer who gives legal advice and helps But it is also a city of harsh extremes, the association through a friend. ‘I used the women to understand their rights. with an ever-growing gap between the to work in a sweatshop where there was Over the years, the focus has shifted rich and the poor. In the quiet, tree-lined so much exploitation that a group of us from attempting to equip sex workers streets of the rich neighbourhoods, formed an illegal union, but the owner with skills and reintegrate them into mansions are protected by armed found out what we were doing and we society, to focusing primarily on human guards. The poorest districts, meanwhile, were fired,’ she remembers. rights and on giving sex workers back are equally deserted, but for a totally ‘The sweatshop paid me $57 every their dignity. Flor de Piedra currently different reason: even in daylight, some two weeks, which isn’t much, but jobs works with around 700 sex workers. streets are just too dangerous to walk are so hard to come by. I took my CV to Flor de Piedra also runs a scheme down. numerous companies but no-one would whereby sex workers are trained in- CIIR/ICD partner organisation, take me on. All the women in the house to educate and inform others. Asociación de Mujeres Flor de Piedra sweatshops are between 18 and 28 Reina, who recently went through the (the Stone Flower Women’s Association), years old and I was 32 at the time so training, says: ‘Sometimes I am insulted is situated in a quiet backstreet in one of doors were automatically closed to me.’ in the street because of my involvement the city’s danger spots – the red-light Reina’s cousin told her about a room with Flor de Piedra but I can respect district. Flor de Piedra is the only that was available. ‘I was very hesitant myself far more now. My self-esteem is organisation in the country working with about it because of my upbringing. I no longer on the floor.’ sex workers to protect and promote thought sex work was disgusting and I their rights, and its location is, therefore, didn’t want to do it but my cousin kept Finola Robinson is CIIR/ICD’s press and intentional. The offices have to be telling me that I could earn some money. information officer.
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viewpoint
EU and its member states initially seemed less keen to show support – financial or moral – for these elections. This appeared to be linked to their Putting involvement with the Mbagathi government-building process in (southern) Somalia, and worries that the new government there will react democracy negatively to funding for the Somaliland parliamentary elections. As well as external constraints, there are internal differences. The opposition to the test and sections of the population allege that parliamentarians have more Forthcoming elections will be a measure of Somaliland’s progress commitment to their own stay in power towards democratisation, write Steve Kibble and Adan Abokor than to the democratisation process. The outcome of the election, however, is likely to require a great deal of trust in HE INDEPENDENT but internationally the process, if past experience is any unrecognised state of Somaliland guide. In the 2003 presidential election, T(North West Somalia) is due to the Kulmiye party, having lost, claimed hold parliamentary elections in that it had won but was prepared for the Mark Bradbury/CIIR September. These will be the first direct sake of the nation to accept the result. parliamentary elections in greater Somalia for 35 years. Commitment Somaliland still has a long path to go Civil society organisations have towards full democratisation. This should committed to helping in the electoral be the most important phase, marking process, as have the aqils (local the move away from a clan-based community leaders who administer government with little effective justice at dir, or sub clan, level). Both parliamentary opposition. Queueing to vote at Yirowe in Somaliland wish to promote peaceful elections To date the government has shown during the local elections in December 2002. through encouraging communities to minimal intervention in social areas and vote and organising neutral help for the little commitment to overcoming gender observers, the democratisation of blind or illiterate at polling stations. and other inequalities. The parliamentary Somaliland is seen as an interesting Local NGOs are involved with drawing elections open up major opportunities in experiment that deserves greater study up a voluntary code of conduct for the these areas. Civil society can be (and support) in its incorporation of political parties, coordinating local empowered to engage with government democratic values within a traditional observer groups and running civic on key issues – not least human rights, social structure. education programmes. development, gender equality and HIV Previous elections, according to Financial and moral support also and AIDS. The regularisation of political international observers (including CIIR), appears at last to be forthcoming from representation in parliament could also have proved peaceful, reasonably free the international community. CIIR will be avoid a return to the instability that has and fair and enthusiastically welcomed. supporting the coordination of plagued Somaliland and Somalia in the Somalilanders say that as the international observation. past. international community is pushing for It is to be hoped that with this help democratic practice in Africa, it should and the commitment to a peaceful Process support them in observing what is process of the Somaliland people and Somaliland, having decided unilaterally expected to be another reasonably free government, the threat is receding that in 1991 to end its union with Somalia, and fair election. the one stable part of greater Somalia embarked on this process of will relapse from the democratic path. democratisation in the late 1990s. A Costs Given the internal and external referendum in 1999, local elections in However, the delicacy of the situation commitment to stability in Somaliland 2002 and a presidential election in 2003 does present problems for the and the general desire among donors all contributed to the process. government in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s for good governance and democracy There have been some setbacks – capital. The government is only able to throughout Africa, anything less than a notably the government’s incomplete provide one-third of the projected free and fair election would be an compliance with human rights budgetary costs of the election, partly opportunity squandered. standards, as shown by the arrest of due to increased military expenditure on journalists and efforts to lean on the the Somaliland/Puntland dispute Steve Kibble is CIIR’s Africa/Yemen judiciary. Nevertheless, Somalilanders (Puntland is the region bordering advocacy officer. Adan Abokor is hope that the strategy will bring Somaliland to the north-east). CIIR/ICD’s country representative in international recognition. For many Meanwhile, in contrast to 2002, the Somaliland.
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country profile
Armed police in Tiatabeland, Zimbabwe.
many saw it as an attempt to stay in Trygve Bolstad/Panos Trygve power and remove sources of opposition. Many although not all farms appear to have passed into the control of the ZANU-PF elite rather than the landless and poor. There has been a sustained campaign against the independence of the media, judiciary, NGOs and churches.
Development issues Zimbabwe continues to suffer economic crisis with little indication that the government has any clear strategy to overcome it. Food, fuel, and foreign exchange are in short supply. Much of the country suffered widespread crop failure after poor rains in the last growing season. The recent targeting of country profile: the urban poor and informal traders in Operation Murambatsvina has left thousands homeless and without resources. The HIV and AIDS pandemic interacts Zimbabwe with food shortages to further undermine health, education and family History Zimbabwean society during this time. structures. Two thousand people per After a bitter war against an illegal Unemployment was consistently rising. week were dying from HIV and AIDS in settler regime, Zimbabwe became In the late 1990s the Zimbabwe 2002 and the figure is now more than independent in 1980. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions staged a series 3,500. Life expectancy has dropped to African National Union – Patriotic Front of well-supported national strikes. 34 years from 65 in 1990. (ZANU-PF) was elected to be the Because of the situation in Zimbabwe country’s first government. Although Politics an increasing number of people are ZANU-PF proclaimed national ZANU (PF) continued to win elections in leaving the country, including many reconciliation, the early years were June 2000, March 2002 and March experienced and skilled personnel. marred by massacres in Matabeleland as 2005 but in each case these were the new state clamped down on a marred by violence and intimidation. CIIR/ICD in Zimbabwe perceived dissident threat from groups in After 2000 when the government CIIR/ICD has four development workers the minority Ndebele ethnic group. lost a referendum on a new constitution in Zimbabwe, focusing on civil society The newly independent country which would have given even greater participation and HIV and AIDS. With experienced a rapid expansion in health, power to the executive, it embarked on our partners we assist the parents of education and social service provision, a programme of land acquisition. This children with disabilities to advocate for although the state was under-resourced involved sending ‘war veterans’ to take their rights and address their families’ to provide such services. By 1990 the over the majority of white-owned socio-economic needs. We also work to economy was experiencing difficulties commercial farms for ‘resettlement’. The strengthen community participation in within a political climate of increased government’s line was that this process programmes responding to HIV and authoritarianism and elite corruption. addressed past historical injustices, but AIDS. Zimbabwe negotiated large loans from the World Bank and was required Facts and Figures in return to cut public expenditure. In 1997 large payouts to war veterans meant a massive drain on the economy. Population 12.6 million This was accentuated when in 1998 the Maternal mortality 700 per 100,000 live births government sent troops to shore up the Infant mortality 76 per 1,000 live births Kabila regime in the Democratic People living with HIV/AIDS 2.3 million Republic of the Congo. Population living below US$1 per day 1990-2001 36% The impact of very high rates of HIV Human development index country ranking 145 out of 175 and AIDS continued to undermine the social and economic fabric of
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interview
Food Programme (WFP). ‘However, I realised that it wasn’t my vision,’ he says. ‘I had come to teach people how Growing to produce their own food, not give it out.’ With funds from the WFP and bags full of initiative, Marvin set about buying seeds and tools to put his vision into a greener practice. The experience led him to apply for a job as a CIIR/ICD development worker with partner Coatlahl (Cooperativa Agroforestal Colón, Atlántida, Honduras Limitada), a future cooperative of communities and small- scale producers of tropical wood. Marvin’s role was to help introduce Marvin Zavala is helping small-scale farmers in Honduras sustainable crop production as a way of farm their land in a sustainable way, writes Finola Robinson reducing dependency on the forest. As Marvin’s skills grew, so did his opportunities. At Coatlahl he was ARVIN ZAVALA knew from an cheap, and the same strong insecticides approached by Fupnabib (the early age that he wanted to were handed out to small-scale farmers Foundation for Pico Bonito National Mwork on the land. Born in as to larger ones. Park), which agreed to Marvin’s request Nicaragua into a family of campesinos for seeds in exchange for his time. The (peasant farmers), his earliest memories Organic foundation would give Marvin 1,500 are of helping his father in the fields. ‘I had wanted to study to be an plantain seeds and he would hand them When he was 13 years old, a pivotal agronomist, but after the experience moment occurred. ‘I was spraying an with Malathion I decided I didn’t want insecticide called Malathion in the fields to do that if I had to use chemicals,’ he ‘alternative agricultural to try and control a plague that had says. He trained as a vet, but slowly but techniques would taken hold of our beans,’ he remembers. surely he felt his heart return to guarantee food security, ‘I had the pump strapped to my back agricultural work. He abandoned his but, all of a sudden, I started to feel veterinary career and went to the new without putting at risk our dizzy and sick. I was ill for days Campesino University of Nicaragua to natural resources’ afterwards.’ study organic farming. His interest in At that time – the 1980s – the farming was reignited. Sandinistas wanted a boom in Marvin became a member of CIIR/ICD out to 60 farmers. Then, after a year, the agriculture and Nicaragua became, as partner organisation UNAG (the national farmers would give back twice as many. Marvin puts it, ‘a champion in the use of union of agriculturalists and cattle This methodology has developed and insecticides and other agro-chemicals’. farmers) and convinced his father and multiplied and given Marvin a very clear Chemicals were either free or very uncles to follow suit. A job offer at vision for the future – one that could be UNAG led Marvin to his next project – shared and developed, just like his seed working with women, giving them programme. financial advice linked to their ‘Since I was young, I have believed agricultural work. that underdeveloped countries are used
Vanessa Kurz/CIIR Vanessa In 1994, Marvin started work as a as a laboratory for developed countries promoter of sustainable agriculture with and companies: for research, medicine, different communities – still with UNAG. agriculture and the environment,’ he Through this work he met a CIIR/ICD says. ‘So many experiments are carried development worker and became her out in this region, genetic modification counterpart. being just one of them. If there isn’t a negative impact, the experiments are Vision implemented in the developed countries. But in 1998, life for everyone was ‘In my opinion, if in this world we turned upside down when Hurricane could implement alternative agricultural Mitch tore through Central America, techniques we would guarantee food destroying everything in its path. Marvin security, without putting at risk our took a job in Honduras distributing natural resources. No one need go emergency food aid under the World hungry again.’
CIIR/ICD development worker Finola Robinson is CIIR/ICD’s press and Marvin Zavala. information officer.
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reflection
Archbishop Oscar Romero pictured in 1980.
feeding his prophetic strength and giving him peace in the generous and bloody dedication of his life.’ The poor were frequently told by their pastors that they should be content
Octavio Duran/Equipo Maiz–CAFOD with their lot and look forward to better times in heaven. This was not Romero’s message. He said, in 1977: ‘The Word of God has to be a word which springs forth from the eternal, ancient Word of God, but which touches today’s wound, today’s injustices, today’s victims.’ Once, when Romero was going through customs, someone was heard to say: ‘There goes the truth.’ When Romero was told this, he said: ‘That short phrase fills me with optimism, because in my suitcase I have no contraband, neither do I bring lies, I bring the truth.’ In a homily in July 1979 Defender he said: ‘These homilies try to be this people’s voice. They try to be the voice of those who have no voice. And so, without doubt, they displease those who have too much voice. This poor voice of the poor will find an echo in those who love the truth and who truly love our dear people.’ Pamela Hussey reflects on the life and legacy of Oscar Romero In his homilies on Sundays in the cathedral, after commenting on the RCHBISHOP OSCAR ROMERO was was an incipient rural peasant Biblical readings, he went over the murdered 25 years ago, on 24 movement, and a church increasingly events of the past week, often reading AMarch 1980. He is now for many sympathetic to, and present with, the from scraps of paper put into his hands in Latin America and all over the world – poor. by poor families with the names of their and especially for the poor whose cause As a bishop, Romero had been loved ones who had disappeared or he fearlessly championed – an icon, conservative, cautious, more at ease been killed. ‘We cannot separate God’s Santo Romero de las Americas. As with the powerful than with the poor. Word from the historical reality in which someone once said to the Salvadoreans: He was nervous about involvement in it is proclaimed,’ he said. ‘I have bad news for you. Romero is no politics. Several priests sympathetic to In a final impassioned appeal on longer yours. He belongs to us all.’ the peasants’ organisations had been behalf of his suffering people, at the end Oscar Romero was born in 1917 in detained, threatened or expelled. of his homily in the cathedral on 23 Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador. He studied Soon after he became Archbishop, March 1980, he made a direct appeal to for the priesthood in El Salvador and Romero’s friend, the Jesuit priest Rutilio the soldiers and the police to disobey Rome, was ordained priest in Rome, and orders to kill, adding: ‘In the name of returned to El Salvador in 1943. In 1977 ‘We cannot separate God’s God, and in the name of this suffering he was appointed Archbishop of San word from the historical people ... I beg you, I ask you, I order Salvador. you in the name of God: stop the 1977 was one of the most turbulent reality in which it is repression!’ years in El Salvador’s history, proclaimed’ The next day a single shot fired by a culminating in 1980 in a civil war hired assassin from the back of the between government forces and the Grande, was murdered. This event is chapel killed him. He was 63. As the Farabundo Martí Front for National often quoted as marking the Polish poet Csezlaw Miloscz has written: Liberation (FMLN). Seventy-five ‘conversion’ of Oscar Romero – but the ‘In a room where people unanimously thousand Salvadoreans, mostly poor, poor had already begun to ‘convert’ maintain a conspiracy of silence, one were to be killed, the majority by him. The Jesuit José Tojeira has said: word of truth sounds like a pistol shot.’ government forces, before peace was ‘The martyrdom of Monseñor Romero signed in 1992. The rural poverty was grew out of the solidarity with his Pamela Hussey has worked with CIIR appalling, the wealthy refused to people. We can say today that it was the since 1981. She is the co-author of the countenance land reform, there was poor, the simple and humble people, recent CIIR Comment A culture of peace: brutal repression. In opposition to this who evangelised Monseñor Romero, Women, faith and reconcilation.
Summer 2005 interact19 issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 20
review
vanguard of the fight against poverty. answering that question. There are many As a result, people joining the march strategies, many movements, but one in Edinburgh could be forgiven for being answer: keep on going, because the unsure about the focus of their protests. momentum is with us, the people. As Was the G8 seen as potentially part of Chomsky says, ‘The masters of the the solution, or is the G8, and its universe ... are concerned and neoliberal capitalist project, itself the defensive.’ Now more than ever, say the problem? book’s editors, David Miller and Gill The contributors to this book would Hubbard, is ‘the time for us to raise our have no hesitation in answering: the G8, voices ever louder.’ and all that it stands for, is itself the Haidi Giuliani, mother of the young problem. The book’s title makes it clear: protester, Carlo Guiliani, who was these are Arguments against G8. murdered by police during the G8 The contributors to the book are the summit in Genoa in 2001, tells us why. usual suspects, but that does not make In a moving contribution to this angry what they say any less true. From Noam but clear-sighted book, she writes: ‘How Arguments against G8 Chomsky to George Monbiot, from can you be indifferent and watch the edited by Gill Hubbard and Susan George to Caroline Lucas, they devastation and destruction of the earth David Miller spell out how the fat cats of without even letting your own “no” be neoliberalism – the leaders of the world’s heard, without trying to put a grain of The Make Poverty History campaign has most powerful economies – have set up, sand in the wheels that are churning brought together an unprecedented imposed on the world, and now rule over the rights of entire people?’ mass protest against world poverty. In with an iron fist a system that makes As Miller and Hubbard conclude: ‘We the run up to the G8 summit in July, rich people in rich countries ever richer, are involved in a truly global struggle,’ however, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown precisely because it has been so and we must believe that change really somehow managed to manoeuvre successful at making the rest of the is possible. themselves onto the side of the world so poor, locking it into poverty, protesters. They and their neoliberal and throwing away the key. Reviewed by Alastair Whitson, CIIR’s capitalist cohorts deftly sought to deflect This might make for grim reading, senior editor. criticism away from the very thing that but the tone of the book is far from creates and perpetuates poverty – their despair. The penultimate chapter asks, Arguments against G8 published by own neoliberal cartel – and present Where do we go from here? Throughout Pluto Press, ISBN 0 7453 2420 7, £11.99 themselves, incredibly, as being in the the book, the contributors have been paperback.
to influence mainstream politics on across in a mainstream media critical topics such as development, obsessed by scandal and celebrities. gender, the environment and war. Although the book celebrates the In a perfect world, all citizens would successes of organisations such as have equal access to the media to Greenpeace and Amnesty openly debate key social issues. The first International, it leaves one feeling part of the book debates whether such that the structures of the media and a global public sphere exists. The political system need overhauling if conclusion is a negative but accurate we really want to make an impact. one: there are too many social and It’s a shame the book doesn’t really political imbalances in the world and tackle this issue. In reality the media access to the media is restricted to the are there to serve corporate interests; rich and powerful. their central motive is to make money. Global activism, In a chapter on ‘Peace activism and Unless a major change occurs in the global media Western wars’, which focuses on the structures of the global media, it is edited by Wilma de Jong, Martin February 2003 protests against the Iraq likely that social movements will Shaw and Neil Stammers war, Martin Shaw argues persuasively continue to be secondary voices that social movements are in crisis struggling to get heard. Communications are at the heart of because of a rapidly changing media what campaigning groups do. In this and political context that they are having Reviewed by Nick Sireau, CIIR’s book, campaigners and academics trouble adapting to. Indeed, despite the director of communications. explore how agencies such as rise of the internet, of large NGO media Greenpeace, Amnesty International departments, of media stunts and direct Global activism, global media and the World Development action techniques, campaigners are still published by Pluto Press, ISBN 0 7453 Movement attempt to use the media finding it difficult to get their message 2195 X, £15.99 paperback.
20 interact Summer 2005