Justice and Coffee

A faith journey through fair trade and free trade

with coffee farmers in Chiapas, Mexico

January 24 to February 3, 2009

A delegation for people of faith sponsored by the Jubilee Justice Taskforce of the United Church of Christ, Brethren WitnesslWashington Office of the Church of the Brethren and the Interfaith Program of Equal Exchange, in collaboration with Witness for Peace.

Purpose

• Visit an indigenous coffee cooperative and learn first-hand about the lives of the farmers.

• Learn about Fair Trade in coffee farming in Chiapas.

• Visit a women's craft cooperative and learn about the rising consciousness of women in developing countries.

• Investigate the economic and political context of Mexico and Chiapas, including the 1994 uprising, low-intensity conflict, and human rights abuses against indigenous people.

• Investigate the relationship between global economic forces and local hardships.

• Learn about non-violent struggle from a rural community who lives it.

• Learn about the role that faith and "Liberation Theology" has played in the lives of people in rural Chiapas.

Cost

Probably around $900, plus airfare to Chiapas. Covers room, board, all in-country transportation and training by Witness for Peace staff leaders.

Deadline

We plan to recruit delegates as early as possible and precede the trip with selected readings and online discussion.

For more information

Stan Duncan,

Jubilee Justice Task Force, UCC - StanDuncan@JubileeJustice.com  781-504-6875

Peter Buck

Interfaith Program, Equal Exchange - pbuck@equalexchange.coop  774-776-7414

Phil Jones

Church of the Brethren WitnesslWashington Office - pjones_gb@brethren.org  202- 546- 3202