SIPAZ Activities (October – December 1997)

Workshops

• Organized and facilitated two workshops on “Managing Fear and Security” and “Transformation of Conflicts.”
• Participated in several workshops in San Cristobal de las Casas: “Analysis of Conflicts” with women from K’nal Antsetik, “The Individual in the face of conflict” at the Ecumenical Bible School and “Managing Fear”, sponsored by the Diocese.
• Staff training workshop on “Accompaniment.”

Information

• Issued an Urgent Action appeal and a followup on the attack against Mons. Samuel Ruiz and Mons. Raul Vera and the sister of Samuel Ruiz.
• In response to the grave situation in Chenalho, members of the team participated in a Pastors for Peace caravan carrying humanitarian assistance for the displaced and in the National and International Civil Mission of Observation for Peace in Chenalho.
• Issued an Urgent Action appeal regarding the Acteal massacre.

Contacts and visits

• Hosted a two-week visit of a member of the SIPAZ Steering Committee who is responsible for volunteers.
• Received visitors from: Michigan Faith and Resistance Peace Team, Christian Peacemaker Teams, SEVA Foundation, Pastors for Peace, and a dozen other foreign visitors.
• Interview with Dallas Morning News.

Miscellaneous

• Contributed in several ways to the second conference of CORECO (Commission of Support for Unity and Community Reconciliation).
• Attended as invited observers the XXIII anniversary celebration of ARIC Independent and Democratic and the Annual Report of the municipality of Ocosingo.
• Interviewed displaced evangelicals and Catholics in Aguacatenango.
• Participated and gave a speech at the Latin American Peace Education conference in Guatemala.
• Attended as observers the indigenous demonstration on October 12 in Ocosingo (Día de la Raza.)