Bristol Latin American Forum 2008

by Kevin Wed Jan 30, 2008 09:06

Contact Ben for details, through bristol.laf@gmail.com

by n8 - BLAF Thu Jan 31, 2008 09:45

...for updates on the the order of the day, line up of the afterparty and, if you cant make it to the forum in person, we will be webcasting some of the presentations/workshops live as they happen - go to http://bristollaf.blogspot.com/

by Ben Tue Feb 26, 2008 13:10

http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/687967- Click for updated schedule of Saturday's events

And here are details of some of the workshops on Saturday:

'El Sueno Existe: Victor Jara and Chilean New Song'

• The music and life of Victor Jara provides a beacon of inspiration and hope for people around the world. In this workshop we will explore some of Victor's music as well as look at some of the other players from the creative wellspring of Chilean New Song. There will also be a showing of a short film about the Welsh "El sueno Existe" festival.
• "As long as people continue to sing his songs, Victor Jara will never die" Pete Seeger

'Corporate and Community Responses to Climate Chaos in LA'

• From Biofuels and BP, to *'Planes de vida' *and Penpal Protection Plans this workshop will explore the contrasting approaches unfolding in Latin American today in response to climate chaos.

'Fotografia y Memoria Historica'

• Luis Bustamante uses photographs to explore the impact on families of the "dirty war"of the 70s and 80s in Chile and Argentina and the struggle to bring to justice the perpetrators of human rights abuses

'The Mapuche and their Struggle for Self-determination and Self-government'

• The Mapuche indigenous people are the original inhabitants of southern Chile and Argentina.
• See traditional artefacts and understand their use and cultural significance.
• Look at photos giving an impression of the lives and struggles of the Mapuche in the 21st century.
• Hear about
● The struggle of the Mapuche to defend and reclaim their land
● The continuing oppression of the Mapuche under governments that claim to be democratic’
● The imprisonment of chief Juana Calfunao
● The hunger strike of Patricia Troncoso who did not eat for 112 days
● The recent shooting of young Mapuche university student Matias Catrileo by Chilean police

‘Los Cartoneros’

• In Argentina, "cartoneros" are poor people who collect and sell paper products and other recyclables in order to survive. The appearance of cartoneros in high profile urban public spaces in search of recyclables has been one of the most visible and lasting effects of the 2001-2002 economic crisis of Argentina.This workshop will explore the cartoneros' phenomenon in Buenos Aires and will be illustrated by short video clips and "recycled cardboard shadows".

Taller en castellano – ‘Pobreza Desarrollo y Cultura’

• compartir nuestras experiencias en un pais "desarrollado"
• comparar nuestros conceptos de pobreza y la apreciación/rechazo de cultura de diferentes partes de Latino-america
• visión latinoamericana para el futuro, queremos ser como USA?

'Environmental Justice in Latin America'

• Research shows that, worldwide, hazardous installations, such as toxic waste dumps and polluting factories, are usually sited in working class and black and minority ethnic communities. This has led to the growth of a grassroots community-based environmental justice movement which challenges the right to pollute and demands an end to discrimination; inclusion in environmental decision-making and fair access to clean air, water, land and food. This workshop explores how these issues and struggles are played out in Latin America and the role of capitalism and corporate power within this.

Bolivian Dance Group:

• They are called 'Tradicion Andina' and are a community dance group, based in South East London, performing traditional dances and promoting the origins and meanings of the dances.