Comhlamh, the returned development worker organisation, is holding a conference entitled The Future of the Global Development Worker on 27th September at the Marino Institute, Griffith Ave. Dublin 9, from 10-5.30.
This theme follows on from a workshop held last April co-hosted by Comhlamh and the Irish Mexico Group on the subject of What distinguished a development or solidarity worker who goes to Latin America? After long and heated discussion running late into the night, it emerged clearly that the Latin 'experience' was characterised by a sense of political consciousness : that the development and solidarity worker in the area would far more likely to have a political grounding and focus on a project of solidarity. It was felt that we should primarily be exploring the possibilities of developing more direct links between community groups here and grass-roots organisations there.
It is armed with these ideas that the Irish Mexico Group will be presenting their case at the Comhlamh conference on the 27th. President Mary Robinson will be giving an opening speech and we would encourage as many people as possible to attend as possible.
The doors open this month of the Latin America Solidarity Centre (LASC) at its new spacious new headquarters on Merrion Row. This much needed initiative is the fruit of over a year of organising from activists from within the Nicaragua Support Group and a host of other solidarity groups.
LASC will be a resource centre, with a reference and information library, up to date news and space for social, cultural and solidarity activities. Among the plans for the autumn include discussion groups in Spanish and sexy Latino dance classes.
The Irish Mexico Group is delighted at the launching of this new venue and will be working closely with the centre. Indeed we are trying out our dancing shoes already.....
For more information contact the centre's coordinator Oisin Coughlan at :-
LATIN AMERICA SOLIDARITY CENTRE 5 MERRION ROW DUBLIN 2 PHONE 6760435The Irish Mexico Groups photo-exhibition The War Against Time- Images from the Heart of the Zapatista Zone Chiapas Mexico continues its sell-out tour of Ireland showing at Trinity College during October.
The work, done by photographer Bryan Meade, was taken while Bryan accompanied the First Fact-finding Delegation to Chiapas last December. Focusing on the rebel communities of Morelia, La Garrucha and the town of Tepotzlan captures every-day life in stark black and white portraits.
The first showing of the exhibition was received with much enthusiasm at the Garden of Delight Book-shop-Cafe during the summer. After Trinity College it travels to UCD, before travelling to Cork, Galway, Portlaoise, Derry and Belfast. A speaker from the IMG will introduce the exhibition at each venue. If you are interested in hosting this impressive exhibition, contact us!
A good range of literature on the Mexican revolution and the Zapatista phenomenon, alongside any other social, cultural or politically radical literature you would care to peruse, is currently available at the recently-opened book-shop/cafe, the Garden of Delight. Located across the road from Christchurch Cathederal on Castle Street, the centre is bright, airy and full of unusual and interesting things. An exhibition on the Spanish Revolution currently graces its walls. Recommended, even if they don't sell Nicaraguan coffee as supposed by the Event Guide. We're working on it.