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PortuguesMexico
Peace Brigade
Country background:
Mexico is located in North America bordering on the USA, Guatemala and Belize. It is one of the major oil producers and exporters - this industry provides one third of the government revenues. Remittances from migrant workers in the USA constitute also one of the main pillars of Mexico’s economy.
Despite its economic growth in recent years inequality and poverty are still present all over the country. Violence, organized crime and drug dealing are among the main problems in the country. In fact, Mexico has one of the highest rates of kidnappings in the world.
Organization:
PBI is an international grassroots NGO that has promoted nonviolence and protected human rights since 1981. Sending international volunteers to areas of conflict, providing protective accompaniment to human rights defenders threatened by political violence. In addition, PBI facilitates other peace-building initiatives.
Over 26 years, they have protected the lives of hundreds of activists, proving that accompaniment deters violence and creates space for local activists to work. They are nonpartisan and do not interfere in the affairs of those they accompany, because their believe in a lasting peace cannot be imposed from outside but must come from the desires of local people.
Project Overview:
The Mexico Project field team is made up of volunteers from many countries, who accompany people or organizations under threat, make regular visits to conflict zones, distribute information about the evolution of the conflict, work with civil and military authorities and carry out public relations and lobbying work to generate international support. The Project works according to the philosophy of nonviolence, within the framework of international norms of human rights, under a strict respect for local laws and is independent of political and religious agendas.
Event where money was raised:
DLA 1st Rhythms of Latin America Festival, we raised £2,500 and welcomed 650 visitors.