Ciudad Dario: much more than a place to pass through
*Winnie Narváez Herrera visits three small businesses that form part of the social economy in the town of Ciudad Dario. For many people, Ciudad Darío in the municipality of Matagalpa is a place they pass through on the Pan American Highway. However, this small town, 80km from Managua with a population of...
Nicaragua’s big secret, the success of the social economy
Jorge Capelan interviewed Leonel Rivera, Managua representative of the Ministry of the Family, Community, Cooperative and Associative Economy (MEFCCA), to find out more about how the government is supporting this key sector. Over a three year period Nicaragua has faced four major crises: an attempted coup, two devastating hurricanes, and the...
Education programmes that support rural development & the social economy
Winnie Narváez Herrera highlights how well integrated education and government programmes grounded in Nicaragua’s social and economic reality support the social economy that employs 80% of the work force. For the past eight years Catalino Herrera Ochoa, whose family are peasant farmers, has worked as a gardener at a primary school...
From building roads to learning the ancient techniques of bamboo handicraft
Construction worker Mauricio Antonio Núñez lost his job in 2018 because he defended the government during the violence associated with the failed coup. Journalist Jorge Capelán visited him in his workshop south of Managua to find out about his new vocation as a bamboo craftsperson thanks to the support of the...
Latin America Conference Adelante, Saturday 4 December
10am-5PM Friends House, 173-177 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BJ (Nearest tube: Euston) Speakers include: • Jeremy Corbyn MP • Kate Hudson, CND • John McDonnell MP • Claudia Turbet-Delof, Bolivia • Richard Burgon MP • Mariela Kohon, TUC • Julia Felmanas, Brazil • Jon Trickett MP • Dr Emily Morris • Jess Barnard, Young Labour • Bárbara Montalvo, Cuban Ambassador • Gabriel Rodriguez, Argentina • Guisell Morales-Echaverry, Nicaraguan Ambassador • Rocio Maniero, Venezuelan...
International brigades: building mutual solidarity links between peoples
Winnie Narváez Herrera is a young Nicaraguan who lives in Esteli. In September she joined an international brigade - mostly of young people from the US - who spent some time on the campus of the Latin America Agroecological Institute (IALA) Ixim Ulew. Winnie describes her experiences of working alongside...
Nicaragua: the reality silenced by international mainstream coverage
In the past few months tens of thousands of Central Americans – from countries whose governments meet US approval - have fled northwards escaping gang violence, insecurity and hunger. Entire neighbourhoods are being left devoid of people in Honduras and Guatemala. In contrast Yorlis Luna reflects on the vibrancy of...
COP26: ending eternalism on a planet with finite resources
A year ago two hurricanes of unprecedented strength and frequency struck Central America , yet another example of the impact of the climate crisis on countries least responsible for its causes. As COP26 negotiations reach a critical point, will the ten most industrialised that emit 83% of global carbon emissions take...
Nicaragua presidential and National Assembly elections take place today
Today elections take place in Nicaragua for the presidency, vice presidency, 90 seat National Assembly and 20 Nicaraguan representatives to the Central American Parliament. Six parties and alliances are taking part. Reforms to the electoral law in May 2021 included gender parity (not just for party lists but also for...
The social economy through the eyes of Doña Xiomara, the market seller
Yorlis Luna tells the story of Doña Xiomara, who sells *nacatamales, a story about the local, circular economy and its deep roots in the traditions and maize cultures of the past. Our Nicaragua, this beautiful county, hides so many stories that it brings a lump to my throat, examples of falling...