[act-ma] 4/2 @ e5: Chiapas - Indigenous Struggle & Popular Alternatives to Capitalism

[Brian O'Connell]

Chiapas:
Indigenous Struggle & Popular
Alternatives to Capitalism

A
Conversation with Jorge Santiago


Thursday,
April 2, 7:00 p.m. 

 

Encuentro
5

33
Harrison Ave, 5th floor

Boston,
MA – Chinatown

617-482-6300

www.encuentro5.org
See attached FlyerFor more info contact: Brian @ 617-947-8983 / vinniechops at hotmail.com

 

As
the Wall Street financial crisis sparks urgent discussion of shortcomings in
the US economy, the Mexico-US Solidarity Network invites you to join us in
examining lessons from economic projects in the indigenous communities of
southern Mexico . 

 

Jorge
Santiago is the former Director of Desarrollo Económico y Social de los
Mexicanos Indígenas (DESMI; Indigenous Mexican Social & Economic
Development) where he has worked since the 1970s developing economic
alternatives in over 200 indigenous communities in Chiapas , the southernmost
state of Mexico.

 

Jorge's
work suddenly gained a high profile after the 1994 Zapatista uprising, an
indigenous movement supported by many of the communities where he worked. DESMI
was founded by Father Samuel Ruiz, former Bishop of the Diocese of San Cristóbal,
and was one of the first NGOs in the state. Jorge is co-author of Si Uno Come, Que Coman Todos: Economía Solidaria (If One Eats, May
Everyone Eat: Solidarity Economy; published by DESMI), and has traveled
extensively in Latin America and Europe discussing alternative indigenous
development in Chiapas. He is one of the foremost experts on the struggles
indigenous communities in Chiapas , and is a leader in the “solidarity economy”
movement that advocates an alternative to the neoliberal model of economic
development. He was born in San Cristobal and has lived in Chiapas most of his
life. Jorge will be joined by Stuart Schussler from the Mexico Solidarity
Network and both will discuss:

 

*
Alternative economic development initiatives in Chiapas indigenous communities,
and

*
The broad historical context of indigenous resistance in Southern Mexico.

 

Fifteen years after the North American Free Trade
Agreement went into effect, Jorge reflects on the alternative economic projects
of indigenous communities that prioritize self-sufficiency, sustainability,
community and human needs. Despite persistent human rights abuses against
indigenous communities, and especially against the Zapatista sympathizers,
these communities have not only sustained themselves but have become an
inspiring example of resistance to the dominant neoliberal model of economic
development and globalization.

 







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