Nicaragua

Leaders of Nicaragua's indigenous Mayangna community are battling an invasion of land speculators and small farmers into the Biosawas Biosphere Reserve, the second largest rainforest in the Americas, Thomson Reuters Foundation reports.

Conflict between the Mayangnas, who have formal land title to the cloud forest, and the invaders has led to the death of several indigenous people, Aricio Genero, president of the Mayangna nation, said last week.

Since 2010, invaders into the biodiversity-rich forest, which lies on both sides of the Nicaraguan-Honduran border, have destroyed around 150,000 hectares, turning much of it into pasture to meet growing demand for beef and dairy products.

Read the full story: http://www.trust.org/item/20130503143717-fz36w/?source=hptop

Join the Nicaragua Soldarity Campaign (NSC) in London this Saturday, 20 October - we'll be participating in the TUC March for 'A future that works' with our gigantona (giant woman) and a message of solidarity from Nicaragua trade unions. If you would like to join us, email nscag@nicaraguasc.org.uk  and we'll give you the details of where we'll be meeting up.
 
Come to the Cooperatives United event in Manchester. On 1 and 2 November we will be organising four workshops on Nicaragua, co-operatives and fair trade. For details  http://www.nicaraguasc.org.uk/events/index.htm

The European Commission has launched a programme to help vulnerable communities and local authorities in Nicaragua reduce the risks of disasters caused by natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods and volcanoes.

It has allocated spending of 2.45 million euros to help 182,000 Nicaraguans over the next 18 months.

For the details in Spanish, visit ReliefWeb: http://reliefweb.int/node/509062

As the planned Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign (NSC and NSCAG) AGMs and day for Nicaragua clashes with a Venezuela Solidarity event being held nearby, we have decided to hold our AGM from 10.00 – 11.15 on June 23 followed by a public meeting from 11.30 – 1.15.

The Islington - Managua Friendship Association will provide lunch from 1.15 - 2.00pm.  If you would then like to attend the event on the Venezuelan elections, it is at UNITE House, 128 Theobalds Rd, London WC1X 8TN. We apologise for any inconvenience this change of arrangement may cause you.

23 June: Day of solidarity with Nicaragua and NSC AGM

10.00 - 4.30pm at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R

See NSC website: http://nicaraguasc.org.uk/

29 June: Celebrate culture and sport of Latin America and the Caribbean

Launch event of ‘ALBA house’ organised by the embassies of the ALBA countries: Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The 'Alba House' will be a space for celebration during the Olympics. 

7:30pm - Bolivar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL  [underground Warren St] http://cultura.embavenez-uk.org

Review of the work of NSC and NSCAG

Many thanks to the 87 members who completed the online or paper survey or agreed to be interviewed for our review of the political focus, structure and functioning of both organisations.  In addition to the survey, Rachael also interviewed 25 staff, EC members, Wales NSC and twin towns, partner organisations in Nicaragua and the UK and others who have lived and worked in Nicaragua. We very much appreciate your feedback and commitment to our work. The ECs of both organisations met on 19 May to discuss Rachael’s findings and recommendations so that they can take decisions on the recommendations at a meeting on 21 July.

NSC appeal

Fundraising Meal!

To support the creation of a new Guatemalan photo exhibition by West Midlands based photographer Kevin Hayes
Saturday 9th June, 7.30pm – 10pm

The Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group is seeking a temporary trade union worker for June/July 2012 (self employed)

15 days work from mid June - end July

Purpose of the post: To undertake final preparations for the visit of two trade unionists from the Nicaraguan public service union (UNE), to accompany them on their UK tour (this will include interpreting) and to follow up the visit.

The two trade unionists will be attending a UNISON conference and meetings with other UK trade unions from 17 - 29 June.

Deadline for application - Monday, May 14, see NSC website for details and application form:

http://www.nicaraguasc.org.uk/recruit%20NSCAG/Temp_TU_job_description201...

The screening of  "Vos, que sos mi hermana" is organised by the Central American Student Association (CASA), in collaboration with the Nicaraguan Embassy, in support of Casa Verde, a youth programme developed in Limon, Nicaragua, aimed at empowering young people to dream.

1st May, 6pm, Room NAB2.14, London School of Economics, Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE

BLINC has announced that its annual five-aside football tournaments, the Copa Sandino and the Copa Lucrecia Lindo (for women), will take place on Sunday 20th May, 2012 at Ashton Park School playing fields.

Food will be available from 11.30am. All welcome. If you would like to enter a team please contact alix.hughes@uwe.ac.uk

BLINC blog website: http://bristolnicaragua.wordpress.com/158-2/