SIPAZ Activities (July – October 1999)

Between August and October 1999, team activities included the following, among others:

Visits and Contacts:

• Several visits to the northern region (communities in the county of Tila) in order to talk with peasants, returned displaced persons, representatives from various churches and social organizations, leaders of Development, Peace and Justice and local officials.
• Visits to communities in the highlands in order to speak with religious persons.
• Visit to Mexico City for meetings with NGOs and diplomatic representatives.

Information:

• Preparation and dissemination of an Urgent Action on the military incursion in Amador Hernandez, county of Ocosingo.
• Meetings with religious leaders (Evangelical and Catholic) in order to prepare a document on the religious situation in Chiapas.
• Organization of program and accompaniment for two delegations: Fellowship of Reconciliation and Witness for Peace/SOA Watch/EPICA of the US.
• Organization of program and accompaniment for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Ireland, Mairead Maguire.
• Co-organization of program for the Inter-religious Conference in San Cristobal and Acteal.
• Organization and facilitation of an exchange on international accompaniment and human rights observation with Mexican and international NGOs.

Education:

• Facilitation of three workshops on Alternative Conflict Resolution (ACR) in Yajalon for members of civil society organizations.
• Facilitation of an ‘ACR’ workshop with coffee growers in Simojovel.

Facilitation with Richard Rutschman of “Playing for Peace” workshop with NGOs and children in San Cristobal.