Haiti Digest: October 11
This week a lawsuit on behalf of victims of the reintroduction of cholera to Haiti was filed in New York against the United Nations. The source of the infections has been traced to Nepalese peacekeepers whose camp sanitation facilities were inadequate. The camp bordered a tributary of the Arbonite river, Haiti's largest, and waste from infected peacekeepers spread the disease downstream.
Quixote Center: Hewing Marxist Agendas and Forging Mayors Since 1976
[Original post, September 24, 2013, Updated September 26, 2013 - see below]
February Delegation: Community Development in Northern Nicaragua
**Update** Due to the snow storm that has crippled the Southeastern United States (especially the airports), the delegation has been postponed, new dates TBD. This is an unfortunate turn of events, and we hope to complete the trip as soon as possible. More to come.
February 16-23, 2014
Ecology of Liberation: Naomi Klein on Overcoming Overburden
Naomi Klein was the keynote speaker at the convention launching a new union coalition in Canada. In her speech, Overcoming Overburden: The Climate Crisis and a Unified Left Agenda, she laid out some compelling arguments for climate activism becoming the glue that binds social and economic justice movements into a broad coalition demanding transformation. You can read the entire speech here. A few highlights
The Power of Dreams: Reflections on the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
The articulation of visions of a new world into the language of dreams results from the inadequacy of dominant language/culture to otherwise give expression to these visions. Liberation theologist Leonardo Boff says of dreams, they claim the impossible in order to create more space for what is possible. They do so not by flights of fantasy, but taking the world as it is and then turning the dominant language back on itself.
Pope Francis: A Plea for Peace in Syria
Pope Francis made the following statement on Syria this past Sunday, September 1, 2013.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Hello!
August Cookout and Visit with Edwin Novoa
On Saturday August 14 we had a party to celebrate a visit from Edwin Novoa, Director of our long time partner organization, the Institute of John XXIII in Managua, Nicaragua. It was great to see some familiar faces and meet new Quixoteites who share a belief in impossible dreams.
In addition to good food and good people, it was also an opportunity to learn more about the 'Homes of Hope' the Quixote Center donors have supported in Nicaragua for over a decade.
The Catholic Tipping Point: Helmut Schüller Calls for Reform
Helmut Schüller opened a 15 city tour in New York City on Tuesday night, calling for a range of reforms in the Catholic Church and for priests to join in reform efforts side-by-side with concerned laity.
Food Aid Reform Update
Back in April of this year the Obama administration proposed significant reform to the way the United States government delivers food aid around the world. The two key components of the reform:
Amnesty Urgent Action: LGBTI Rights Activists Targetted in Haiti
Activists of Kouraj a group working for the rights of the Haitian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, have been receiving threats related to their work. The threats seem to be related to a march against “homosexuality in Haiti”, scheduled for 26 July.
Two Weeks in Nicaragua: FEDICAMP
On Monday morning I woke up around five to catch the earliest bus from Leon to Esteli. The ride takes approximately two hours on one of the smaller InterLocal buses, and I was fortunate enough to catch one with a mid day arrival. My bus arrived at the terminal around 12:30. I texted Miguel Marin from FEDICAMP, and he came to pick me up about fifteen minutes later in his compact pickup. In the back was Felix, one of the community organizers/trainers/agronomists working with the communities affiliated with FEDICAMP