LINKS
" The Church would betray its own love for God and its fidelity to the gospel if it stopped being...a defender of the rights of the poor...a humanizer of every legitimate struggle to achieve a more just society...that prepares the way for the true reign of God in history."       -Archbishop Oscar Romero
There are a lot of ways that we, as US citizens, can work towards justice in Costa Rica.  The first and most important thing we can do is educate ourselves! The decisions we make everyday as consumers affect Costa Ricans and the decisions our elected representatives make and the policies they create directly affect Costa Rica.  One of the biggest issues is that of economic globalization, manifested most concretely in the Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).  Other relevant topics and issues Costa Rica faces: banana and pineapple production, negative effects of tourism (destruction of environment, increase in sexual tourism/exploitation of women and children), and immigration.   
       Where to go for more information and 
                      how to take action!
      
       Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America
        website coming soon! call 773-293-2964 for more information
     
       Chicago Metropolitan Sanctuary Alliance / Chicago Colombia Sanctuary Project
        website coming soon! call 773-293-3680 for more information

       Latin America Working Group                  Washington Office on Latin America

        Lutheran Office on Governmental Affairs        Witness for Peace

  US Labor Education in the Americas Project -good resource on banana production

                          EPICA                                    Resource Center of the Americas,

    North American Congress on Latin America,        Center for International Policy

               Transfair USA - information on fair trade

                           Economic Justice / CAFTA Specific Resources:

             CAFTA briefing packet,                 Public Citizen-Global Trade Watch,   

       Citizens Trade Campaign,             StopCAFTA                Global Exchange

                                                    Trade and Faith:

        Declaration for Just Trade           Lutheran World Relief Trade Justice Campaign

        LWF statement on DR-CAFTA     Religious Task Force on Central America and Mexico

   American Friends Service Committee              Witness for Peace CAFTA roleplay
Other ELCA mission personnel websites

Rachel Peterson, Nicaragua

Emma Crossen, India
Other Links

Lutheran Volunteer Corps

Valparaiso University Social Action Leadership Team

Valparaiso University Soul Purpose Traveling Liturgical Drama Troupe

EWALU Bible Camp and Retreat Center

Decorah High School Orchestra

Chicago Cares
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