For two decades in the 70s and 80s, Texaco pumped Amazonian oil for billions of dollars in profits, destroying the forest, along with the health, economies, and traditions of local communities. Despite a historic lawsuit, the continued exploitation of oil has prompted increased poverty and militarization in nearby communities, as well as strong resistance from civil society, state workers, environmentalists, and the indigenous grassroots. Now that the FTAA talks have broken down and extensive bilateral free-trade agreements are being negotiated throughout the Andean region, oil and other key resources are in the sights of multinationals-- and the fight for self-determination in areas such as health, food sovereignty, water, education, and energy continues, with the indigenous movement leading the way.
On Ecuador Reality Tours you will meet with organizations and social actors who will open your eyes about the harmful local, regional, and global effects of corporate globalization-- and the local resistance that is helping to build more sustainable and just alternatives. From the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) to food sovereignty, from intellectual property rights to indigenous healing methods, you will explore the diversity of challenges that are facing Ecuadorian communities from the Andes to the Amazon. Visits to local sites include a tour of ChevronTexaco's toxic oil legacy in the Amazon, beautiful indigenous highland markets, destructive cut flower factories, cooperative industries aimed at local sustainability, and grassroots indigenous health intiatives.
Program Highlights:
- What is the history of oil development in Ecuador? Learn about the historic ongoing court-battle against Chevron and their toxic legacy of oil exploitation, and see the oil pits for yourself.
- Hike through protected lowland cloud forest while you visit coffee cooperatives resisting mining companies. Learn about the movement for fair trade in Ecuador with indigenous cacao cooperatives.
- Meet with indigenous leaders and healers in the Amazon, and visit ecotourism projects that provide alternatives to extractive industries like oil and logging.
- Discuss environmental, social, and economic rights with activists and leaders in Quito as you uncover the consequences of "free trade", and the movement towards the integration of South America.
- Visit the Municipality of Cotacachi, a United Nations (UNESCO) award-winning township dedicated to sustainability and communal governance.
- What are community-based models of rural development? Travel to highland Andean communities at 4000 meters that are working towards self-sustainability underneath Ecuador's largest snow-capped mountain.
Cost: $1400 (From Quito)
Price Includes:
- Double-room hotel accommodations; two meals per day; transportation to and from all programmed activities including possible domestic flight; guides
- and translators; a qualified trip leader; all program activities; reading materials; and honoraria to all host speakers, organizations and communities.
- Not included: International airfare, lunches, airport departure taxes, tips, and personal expenses are NOT included.
How to Register:
We must receive your application and a non-refundable deposit of $200 two months before departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied to late applications. Payments by Mastercard or Visa are welcome.This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.
Maximum number of participants is 18. Arrival day is July 14th, 2006, before 4pm. Orientation begins at 7pm that night. You may depart on July 27th, 2006 at any time.
Make your reservation online now!
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