NSCAG JANUARY UPDATE
Dear Friends We are pleased to send you our first update of the year. Already, it looks as if we have a busy programme for the months ahead, and we look forward to your continued support for our work over the coming year.
Latin America Conference
This year’s Latin America Conference will take place on 28 January at the NEU, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD. The Conference is now sold out, but for those of you who have already registered, the programme for the Conference can be found here. As part of the Conference programme, NSCAG has organised a seminar on Education in Nicaragua, which will include a report back from teachers who participated in last year’s NEU-sponsored teacher exchange with Nicaragua. Our sister organisation, NSC, has also organised a seminar on climate justice, food sovereignty and agroecology.
Dan Kovalik
US human rights and labour lawyer Dan Kovalik is visiting the UK in January/February to launch copies of his new book, Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance. He will be a keynote speaker at the Latin America Conference and speaking at seminars on Nicaragua, Venezuela and Colombia. He will also be signing copies of his book at the Conference.
Socialist solutions to the climate crisis, 2nd February, London
Joint event organised by NSCAG, Morning Star, Friends of Socialist China and Cuba Solidarity Campaign – details and registration here
Spanish classes
Learn Spanish with a Latin American flavour. Courses begin 20 February. See more here.
Coffee and cooperatives brigade
Casa Ben Linder are organising a Coffee and cooperatives brigade from 11-19 March, details here. Deadline for applications is 31 January.
London Marathon April 2023
With the Marathon back to its regular time of April we have four amazing runners who will be coming all the way from Latin America: Rodrigo Chavez, Hugo Vindas, Javier Baringas and Fabio Matamoros. Sponsorship funds will be used to set up a project for young Nicaraguan reporters building on the success of a 2021 pilot project. The project will promote ‘living histories’ reflecting the reality of life in marginalised communities, stories that paint a vivid picture of the challenges and successes of daily life.
Our runners need your help to meet their targets: even the smallest contribution will be much appreciated! You can donate here.
Nicaragua is world’s #1 country where citizens feel at peace
A poll by mainstream firm Gallup found that Nicaragua is the No. 1 country in the world where citizens feel at peace. See more here.
Latin America: Between Hope and Dangers
Article by Randy Alonso Falcón, see here
Poll shows high approval rating for President Ortega and FSLN government
President Daniel Ortega's performance in office has the approval of 76.9 % of the population according to the latest survey by M & R Consultores released on 11 January. The general manager of the company, Raúl Obregón, said that 74.4 % support the direction in which President Ortega is leading the country. In terms of political preferences, some 64.7 % favour the governing party, FSLN (Sandinista National Liberation Front). Meanwhile, 80.8 % of those polled consider that the Sandinista Government gives them hope. Some 87.6 % are satisfied with the construction and maintenance of public highways.
Likewise, 87.5 % are satisfied with public education services and 85.4 % with the energy service; some 85.3 % are satisfied with public health services and 85.2 % with the potable water service. Some 71.2% expect the economic situation in Nicaragua will be much better in 2023 and 70.8% believe that this will also be the case for Nicaraguan families. A total of 62.2% expect that their economic income will be higher. The survey was conducted nationwide between 12 - 23 December 2022 to Nicaraguans over 16 years of age.
Solidarity with Peru We are deeply concerned about the brutal repression of protesters by the current regime in Peru led by Dina Boluarte. More than 49 Peruvians from rural areas, largely from indigenous communities, have been killed, with more than 500 people injured. We stand in solidarity with the Peruvian people in their fight for social justice and democracy and urge all our supporters to sign this statement. In solidarity
Louise Richards,
Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group
www.nscag.org
Twitter: @NSCAG_UK