Join Global Exchange for a Reality Tour exploring how U.S. fair trade activists and women's cooperatives in Guatemala are working together to use fair trade to advance local development efforts in Latin America's most impoverished communities. We invite you to travel to Guatemala to meet with artisan cooperatives and affiliated grassroots NGOs. Visit and work with these cooperatives that are providing fair wage employment and a support network to women, many of which survived violent repression during Guatemala's civil war. Trip participants will learn about each community's history and the local development projects funded through their fair trade sales in the U.S. In contrast participants will witness the negative impacts of the free trade model in the region.
Fair Trade vs. Free Trade will allow participants to explore how they, as consumers, can support development efforts abroad. The tour is intended to motivate participation in fair trade initiatives upon return to the U.S. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with cooperative members, representatives of leading indigenous and human rights organizations, and local government officials about issues related to women's rights, racism, economic justice, and community health in both the U.S. and Guatemala.
Program Highlights:
- Learn about popular resistance to the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
- Learn about the opposition to mining ventures in San Marcos.
- Meet and work with jewelry and weaving cooperatives formed by widows from Guatemala's civil war period.
- Visit small producers of organic, fair trade coffee and their processing center.
- Visit a community of workers on a traditional coffee plantation who have organized to defend their labor rights in the hope of one day gaining land to produce under fair conditions.
- Meet with the Alternative Network for Solidarity Trade, a network of cooperatives and small producers who have come together to access and create alternative markets.
- Meet with representatives of indigenous organizations fighting for their cultural and political rights.
- Learn about the history of U.S.-Guatemala relations and learn how the U.S. is impacting policy in Guatemala today.
- All highlights and activities subject to change, as conditions permit. Please contact Program Coordinator for sample itinerary and details.
Cost: $1285
Price Includes:
- Double-room accommodations; on-ground transportation including airport pick-up and drop-off; Global Exchange bilingual trip leader; preparatory reading and orientation materials; admission and fees to all program activities; two meals a day (breakfast and dinner).
- NOT INCLUDED: airfare, airport departure taxes, lunches, tips, travel insurance, and personal expenses. Single rooms are available for an additional $200.
- Please note: All Global Exchange participants who arrive and depart on scheduled trip dates are guaranteed airport transportation. Please notify program coordinator with special travel arrangements.
How to Register:
We must receive your application and a non-refundable deposit of $400 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.
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