Aug
Advocacy, Sister Cities
2015 Midwest Speaking Tour
Chicago, IL: Sep 30- Oct 3
Madison, WI: Oct 4- Oct 6
Big Rapids, MI: Oct 7
Grand Rapids, MI: Oct 8
Lawrence, KS: Oct 9- Oct 12
Manhattan, KS: Oct 13
Wichita, KS: Oct 14- 15
National Gathering! Lawrence, KS: Oct 10- 11
In the twenty-three years since the end of its twelve-year civil war, El Salvador has made advances in areas like education, health care, women’s rights, and the protection of free speech and organization. However, the country is still plagued by high unemployment, organized crime, gang violence and an entrenched oligarchy resistant to real change. While the U.S. pushes increased militarization in Central America in response to the immigration crisis, US aid money is being used to manipulate Salvadoran politics, and mining company Oceana Gold pursues its multi-million dollar lawsuit against El Salvador, organized communities accross the country are fighting for alternatives of development that respect their culture, human rights and environment.
Come join the discussion on the Sister Cities 2015 Midwest speaking tour, led by Claudia Elizabeth Castro. Claudia is a member of the National Board of CRIPDES, the Association for the Development of El Salvador, where her work focuses on women’s programs throughout the country. Claudia’s history with CRIPDES goes back to her youth, when at age 15 she started participating in organizing with the CRIPDES branch called UCRES. Three years later she began working as a youth organizer with UCRES, then at different times served as Vice President of the UCRES Board of Directors, oversaw their health program, and oversaw their popular education program. Especially passionate about women’s organizing, Claudia is inspired and motivated in her work by the women she sees in El Salvador who are trapped in a violent system, but who escape that system through educating themselves and becoming organized together in the social movement.
Claudia will be joined at each tour presentation by representatives of US-El Salvador Sister Cities. We invite, welcome, and appreciate sharing the stage with local speakers and activists to connect and strengthen the work we do and the messages we have to share.
Tour Dates:
Chicago, IL: Sep 30- Oct 3
Madison, WI: Oct 4- Oct 6
Grand Rapids, MI: Oct 7- Oct 8
Lawrence, KS: Oct 9- Oct 12
Manhattan, KS: Oct 13
Wichita, KS: Oct 14- 15
National Gathering! Lawrence, KS: Oct 10- 11
