Well known among development experts, the Indian state of Kerala on the south western shores of India has long enjoyed high standards of free, universal education and health care; democratic traditions; extensive women's rights; small families; and a general living standard which is the envy of the Developing World. These achievements have been made with an average annual income that is one seventieth of that of the United States. You will see why Kerala is such a popular destination for European tourists: its relative lack of poverty, its natural beauty and protected environment, rich culture and, above all, its bright, open, aware and empowered peoples. Kerala's unique history has been a fortuitous blend of progressive maharajas, matrilineal families, democratically-elected socialist governments and highly developed people-based community organizations and worker-owned cooperatives. These factors have made Kerala a model for not only the Third World, but for Western industrialized nations as well.

Join us on this fifth annual, in-depth study tour. Your tour leader, Mr. Suresh Kumar, has a masters degree in political science and international relations. He is a public health researcher, and is intimately aquainted wtih many aspects of Kerala's social movements - in particular the literacy, science and decentralization movements. The two-week tour will cover the full range of the unique qualities of this small, densely populated state, from the foundations of the mid-1950's democratic socialist system to the new decentralized planning schemes, from village matrilineal structures to flourishing women's self-help projects, from a look at nagging, chronic unemployment to activists of the people's science movement. We will visit Keala Dinesh Bidi, the largest worker's cooperative in the world (nearly all women), to see true workplace empowerment in action. We will cover the entire length of the country, starting in the southern capital city of Trivandrum, travelling by overnight train to the northern city of Kannur, and returning "in steps" back to the south to visit many important development groups. Our tour coordinators have lined up an impressive itinerary of meetings - with Kerala's leading intellectuals and academics, as well as with on-the-ground community organizers and activists. In addition, plenty of time will be set aside to enjoy the rich culture, unspoiled beauty of the country and socialize with the highly educated, friendly people.

The Kerala tour is an annual one and will be repeated every November 16 to 30 (in-country dates - arrival and departure from the capital city of Trivandrum). *Please Note: the start date of the tour, Nov. 16, is the date participants are to arrive in India (each person arranges their own airfare); the end date of Nov. 30 is the final date of the program in India when tour participants can make their departure flight arrangements back home - or travel elsewhere. Early arrival or later departure for your extra travel plans is fine - and our Indian travel service can help you make additional arrangements. Related Links:

Read about a 2002 Kerala participant's experience in this article

Sam Pizzigati's Too Much e-journal

A powerpoint presentation on the Mararikulam women's cooperatives project

WEB SITE BY NADIRA NARINE, November, 2005 Global Exchange Kerala tour member

Program Highlights:

• Start in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala.
• Introduction & orientation lecture by a leading Malayali (Keralite) expert presenting official data and historical background.
• After visiting the area around the capital and meeting with various organizations, head by train in the far north to Kannur to visit the Dinesh Beedi Cooperative - the world's largest.
• Travel back south to the capital "in steps" experiencing along the way fascinating villages and cooperative projects.
• Journey to rice paddies and coconut plantations.
• Visit to a tribal village panchayat.
• Balance government projects with the innovative people's movements.
• Meet with labor union leaders, fisherfolk & farm laborers, medical professionals, women's organizations, educators, and more.
• Visit some of the famous tourist places: the lovely Fort Kochi (Cochin), Hindu temples, a Jewish synagoge, Christian churches, palaces, forts, parks, ruins, etc.
• One free day to relax at the beach or mountains.

Cost: $2,300 (not including int'l airfare). Airfare Information

Price Includes:

• Double room accommodation (add $400 for a single room supplement).
• Three meals per day.
• All transportation in-country.
• Full-time tour leader(s).
• Translators and area-specific guides.
• All program activities & entrance fees.
• Preparatory reading materials.
• Meetings to suit your own interests (as available).
• Not included in the cost is: international airfare, donations, tips and personal expenses.

How to Register:

This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.

Make your reservation online now!

Contact Nadya with any questions about this trip, or call toll-free 1-800-497-1994 ext. 248.