Mexico Solidarity Network
Welcome to the Mexico Solidarity Network
Our site is in transition to a new server so please pardon our dust as we clean things up. Let us know if you have trouble downloading a document from the site.
The Mexico-US Solidarity Network struggles for fundamental social change grounded in democracy, economic justice, human rights and redistribution of power on both sides of the US-Mexico border. The foundations of effective social change are education, community building, and organizing. Education is a collective process that involves an exploration and deepening of knowledge gained from life experiences, and an evaluation/expansion of life horizons. Community building involves the (re)construction of trust, collectivity, and group empowerment, with leadership understood as facilitation rather than direction. Effective organizing includes a conscious evaluation of social problems and collective construction a new future grounded in empowered and autonomous community.
Study Abroad Program
The Mexico Solidarity Network study abroad experience offers a dynamic, student-centered pedagogy combined with direct interaction with some of Mexico’s most important social movements. The unique integration of theory and practice provides students with important lessons for their organizing work back home and an in depth appreciation of the struggles of:
- Indigenous Communities [Chiapas]
- Campesinos, Braceros, and organized sex workers [Tlaxcala]
- Autonomous urban organizing around housing and culture [Mexico City]
- Maquilladora workers, barrio organizing and families of femicide victims [Ciudad Juarez]
The Program is accredited by the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico City. Hamshire College is the US school of record and issues formal transcripts. The program is also reconized by the State University of New York (SUNY) system, the University of Texas-Austin, New Mexico State University, Appalachian State University and 70 other institutions. Upcoming Programs:- SPRING 2009: January 25 - May 2 Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. CONTACT MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org OR CALL 773-583-7728
SUMMER 2009: May 24- July 5; June 15- July 26
Alternative Economy Program
The Mexico Solidarity Network's Alternative Economy Program is built around principles of justice and the search for genuine alternatives to the predominant capitalist model. The Mexico Solidarity Network connects Zapatista cooperatives that produce artisanry and coffee with interns located throughout the United States. Interns receive training in the principles of alternative economy, then set up tables displaying cooperative-produced goods in public places. Interns act as the link between producers and consumers, revealing the human face behind production. Interns may accept donations for the cooperative-produced goods, but there are no set prices. The exchange is based on a genuine link between consumers and producers based on knowledge and mutual respect. For more information on the Alternative Economy Program, contact the Mexico Solidarity Network at MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org, or call 773-583-7728.