The past few months have been busy for the IS committee. On November 4, Berenice Celeita and George Archontopoulos were featured speakers at the Global Justice Forum during our National Convention in Vancouver. Brother George is president of a large workers union in Greece while Berenice is director of NOMADESC, a Colombian human rights group. It was a good evening of dance, song, and a lively discussion of water issues and workers’ rights in other countries. (See related story)
On November 13, Victoria activists were treated to a day visit from Maria Luisa, coordinator and founding member of the Honduran Women’s Collective. Her visit, which focused on solidarity with an emphasis on women’s and workers’ rights, including meetings with our CUPE Local 951 president, the UVIC Students of Colour Collective, the Anti Violence Project, and the Women’s Centre. Sister Maria was very impressed with how active we are as a community and with how we share similar issues on a global scale.
In other news:
- Through past IS committee member Sharlene Patterson, we donated $300 to support delegates from Thailand, U.S. Native Americans, and Canadian First Nations indigenous peoples who will come together in November to meet with three mining-affected Zapotec communities in Oaxaca, México.
- Our Cafe Etico initiative with the Vancouver Island District Council raised $240, and will help CoDevelopment Canada continue its good work on global initiatives. CUPE is in partnership with CoDev to help address worker issues around the world.
Dale Whitford CUPE 951, IS committee
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