SIPAZ Activities (November 1998 – January 1999)

Team Activities included the following:

Information

• Visits to the counties of Motozintla and Siltepec (both of them in the disaster area caused by the heavy rains in September), Nicolas Ruiz, Ocosingo, Comitan, Las Margaritas (to investigate the post-election situation), and Venustiano Carranza (to investigate the conditions of the displaced).
• A visit of several days to Union Progreso (county of El Bosque) after the return of the displaced shortly before Christmas.
• Attendance as observers in the meeting between the EZLN and civil societyNovember 20-22.
• One team member spent a week in a peace camp in Acteal (county of Chenalho.)
• Attended the first anniversary commemoration of the Acteal massacre.
• Produced a special report: “Acteal: One year later.”

contacts and visits

• Organized the program for a Witness for Peace delegation. Meetings included representatives of evangelical churches, the Catholic church, and private enterprise. The delegation also visited Acteal and Polho.
• Meeting with the International Committee for the Peace Council.
• Meeting with Tony Lloyd, Vice Minister of Foreign Relations of Great Britain.
• Meeting with the International Red Cross in Chiapas.
• Two team members did separate speaking tours in the U.S., visiting 19’cities in eight states.

Education

• Facilitated workshops on “Managing Fear,” “Active Nonviolence,” and Analysis of Conflicts” for members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and churches.
• Facilitated workshops on “Conflict Resolution” for specific groups: an NGO, the staff of a preparatory school, and a congregation of Catholicreligious sisters.
• Undertook a reflection process on “Church and Society” with representatives of evangelical churches in the Tapachula area.
• Participated in a workshop on mental health facilitated by Doctors for the World.