Wednesday, 6th December- food at 6.30pm, talk at 7.30pm (Café prices apply)

Venue: La Ruca, Gloucester Road, Bristol

Meet Guillermo Chen, director of the Fundaciòn Nueva Esperanza, Guatemala

On the 10th anniversary of peace in Guatemala, Guillermo Chen, director of the Fundaciòn Nueva Esperanza talks about how an inspiring cultural education project is giving hope to the continuing struggle for justice, indigenous rights and identity in Guatemala.

‘Education for indigenous children is the only way to combat intolerance, build a lasting peace and improve quality of life for our communities’

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This December marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of Peace in Guatemala. The 1996 peace accords brought an end to a bloody 36-year conflict, in which 200,000 people, (the majority indigenous Mayans) died or ‘disappeared’.

The peace accords set out a framework for transforming Guatemalan society through principles of democracy, equality and respect. The reality is that the government has made little progress. Violence and human rights abuses in Guatemala are rife and the justice system is incompetent. Inequalities of land distribution, wealth and access to education are increasing.

Progress has been left to the inspiring and courageous work of civil society organisations.

The Fundaciòn Nueva Esperanza is one such organisation. It has developed a unique philosophy to educate children of Mayan Achi descent to participate and contribute to society whilst maintaining their threatened language, traditions and cultural values.

Ffi; Contact Stuart on 07791 034138

Voluntary donations requested

For the tech junkies among you, Xeni Jardin, co-editor of Boing Boing (one of the world's most popular blogs) is currently out and about and posting from Guatemala. She's been posting on an electic range of issues and topics, including: violence against women campaigning, filesharing in Guate, and making tortillas...

It's also worth flagging up the Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group who get a mention on Xeni's blog and Xela Teco which is "a new micro manufacturing enterprise concerned with the fabrication, installation and repair of low cost environmentaly sound infrastructure improvements. Xela Teco is located in Quetzaltenango Guatemala, and aims to serve NGOs and the general populace in the greater Quetzaltenango region".