Delegation Food Security London 2006

On this intensive two-week delegation to El Salvador in April -May 2007, we will have an opportunity to explore in depth these connections. Using food as a lens that magnifies global relations of power, we will explore the many factors threatening food security, and learn how these challenges are being met in rural El Salvador.  Participants will combine intensive study and discussion with on-the-ground learning in El Salvador.  We will visit community development projects, meeting with and learning from rural Salvadorans first hand about the challenges of cultivating food sovereignty and income security in the context of neo-liberal expansion and “globalization from above.”

Delegation Objectives, 2007

• To develop a deeper understanding of the threats to food security for ordinary people – Canadians and Latin Americans. This will include study of specific issues, such as: women’s role in, access to and control over food production; the problems arising from corporate ownership of land, water, and genetic resources (including seeds); the challenge of protecting local markets from low-priced imports; preservation of biodiversity; local investment and empowerment; and more.
• To provide an opportunity for Canadian participants to learn about the challenges of development in rural El Salvador, and to establish solidarity links between Salvadorans and Canadians.
  
  
• To challenge Canadian participants to reflect critically on the food systems they rely on, and to encourage social action at home to foster food security and food sovereignty.
  
  
• To explore the possibility of ongoing experiential learning opportunities, possibly for course credit, between the Social Justice & Peace Studies Program at King’s University College, and the communities we will visit.

A ride we will never forget Food Security Delegation 2006

Lempa Mar, San Vicente

DELEGATION PARTICULARS

Who is organizing it?
The delegation is made possible by collaboration between Dr. Joan Mason-Grant of King’s University College, Alfredo Marroquin of SalvAide, and representatives of CORDES (The Foundation for Cooperation and Community Development of El Salvador) and CRIPDES (the Association of Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador). SalvAide is a nationally registered Canadian charitable organization working with citizens of El Salvador on projects that foster bottom-up rural development to achieve social and economic justice, democracy and dignity for their people. CORDES and CRIPDES are SalvAide’s primary partners in El Salvador, and have worked mutually to design and deliver development programs in communities who strive to be the protagonists of their own development.

Where are we going?
The delegation will focus on three regions in El Salvador:  Southern La Libertad, the Lower Lempa region and Chalatenango. In Southern La Libertad region, we will meet with the local leadership who have been building community development from the grassroots up, and meet with some of the women who have participated in the micro-credit initiative. In the Lower Lempa region, we will visit communities building a “solidarity economy” in which the quality of life of people is at the centre of concern, and the emphasis is on creating regional self-management.  We meet with youth, seniors and women and will visit projects such as production and sale of organic fresh vegetables, organic sugar, and organic cashews. In Chalatenango, we will visit a CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency)-funded “Integrated Family Farm Plan,” the focus of which is to address the challenges of food and income security and gender inequality in the region. We will also meet with artisan and marketing cooperatives, and visit a coffee processing plant. See the draft itinerary below.

Do I need to have a special interest in food systems to go on this trip?
Well, everyone has an interest in food systems because we all must eat, and we all are implicated in global food production and consumption systems.  The focus on food during this trip will enable us to see the real-life manifestations of and more clearly understand many issues that anyone interested in social justice would be concerned with: the creation of poverty, gender relations, the impact of free trade and neo-liberal policies on rural peoples in Latin America, environmental implications of our food system, the aftermath of militaristic violence and, most importantly, community-driven transformation and empowerment that will be an inspiration to each of us.

What is required of participants? 
This is a study trip rather than a vacation (although we will have plenty of fun along the way!)  Participants must commit to trip preparation through 4 pre-trip meetings, including one pre-trip seminar. The dates for these meetings are as follows:

Information nights for those who would like to explore the possibility of going:
Tuesday, January 16, 2007:  7:00-9:00, W145, King’s University College
Thursday, January 25, 2007: 7:00-9:00, W173 King’s University College

Interviews:
February 2007

Orientation sessions for those students selected to participate:
March 25, 7-9  Student Lounge Extension
Alfredo: Spanish in context and El Salvador political context
Joan: Medical forms, participant agreement, course issues
April 1, 7-9 -- Student Lounge Extension
Alfredo: Spanish
Tony Weiss and Ann Slater Seminar on the global food system and food insecurity

April 15, 7-9  Dante Lenardon Hall 114
Alfredo: Spanish in context, itinerary
Joan & Alfredo: Cross-cultural issues

April 22, 7-9 Dante Lenardon Hall 114 (Last meeting before trip)
Alfredo: Contemporary issues in El Salvador’s political situation
Spanish in context
Joan & Alfredo: Wrap-up issues

Participants also must be willing to read relevant material provided, to participate actively in discussions and de-briefings during the trip, and to share their experience with others in their communities upon their return.

Do I need to be able to speak Spanish?
No.  There will be translators during the entire trip.

What is the cost?
The cost for each participant will be $1800.00, which includes airfare, local transportation, accommodation, meals, translation, tour coordination, and materials.  Participants will be responsible for their own spending money, out of country medical coverage, and immunizations. (Note: There are no immunizations required, however, each participant should contact the Travel Clinic -- travel@mlhu.on.ca OR 663-3395 --to discuss optional immunizations.) 

Participants are expected to fund or fundraise the cost of their experience. The group can work together to fundraise.

Application deadline: January 31, 2007.

• Application form is below

Submit with $500 non-refundable deposit by Feb 23, 2007 50.00 in King’s Student Financial Services office, Wemple Bldg. Rm 144.

• Balance of payment by April 2, 2007

For more information:

Joan Mason-Grant                                            Alfredo Marroquin
Social Justice & Peace Studies                     SalvAide
King’s University College                                 (519) 438-869 ext. 222
433-3491, ext 4434                                          amarroqu@uwo.ca

APPLICATION FOR DELEGATION
FOOD SECURITY: FROM ONTARIO TO RURAL EL SALVADOR
APRIL 30-MAY 16, 2007

NAME  _____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS______________________________________________________________

PH# _________________________________ EMAIL___________________________
PASSPORT # ___________________________________________________________

HEALTH CARD #__________________________________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT _______________________________________

 

Do you have any medical conditions that we should be aware of?

Do you have any dietary restrictions (incl vegetarianism, veganism, food allergies, etc.)?

Interest Statement: Please tell us why are you interested in going on this delegation.

References:  Please provide the names and contact information of two character references. Email and phone contact is fine.

Course Credit:  This experiential learning opportunity is a half course credit, with some additional work. If you are a King’s student, are you interested in receiving a half credit for this experiential learning opportunity?

 

 

Back to Top