All
negotiations to reach a just, amicable and durable solution to the
"Anglo - Guatemalan" dispute, now the "Belize - Guatemala Territorial
Differendum", have proven unsuccessful. The most recent negotiation was
a set of Proposals from Facilitators presented to the OAS on 30th
August 2002, which were rejected by Guatemala. This action then
prompted instituting "confidence building" measures on 7th September
2005.
In
answering the call for "confidence building measures" announced by the
Governments of Belize and Guatemala in 2005, Help for Progress then
embarked on a series of activities. One such activity involved the
creation of the "Friends of the Cooperation Zone Network: Belize
& Guatemala'"or "Red de Amigos de la Zona de Cooperacion
(REDAZCO)." REDAZCO is comprised of six communities from Belize and
twelve from Guatemala which all lie within the "adjacency zone".
(Please note that community members from both Belize &
Guatemala opted to call the area "Cooperation" rather than "Adjacency"
zone.)
The
objective of REDAZCO or the network is to develop a forum within a
democratic framework, for discussion, analysis and evaluation of issues
related to:
- Productive
sector (cacao, beekeeping)
- Culture (Retrieval & Maya Spirituality)
- Human development
- Gender
- Conflict resolution
- Environment and natural resources
- Sports
for the
Cooperation Zone: Belize & Guatemala. REDAZCO also seeks to
foster peace, friendship, understanding and cooperation in the zone.
Since
2005, Help for Progress has been promoting cross-border activities
through the production of cacao in conjunction with the Toledo Cacao
Growers Association, OXFAM GB and Irish Aid. In addition, Help for
Progress has been supporting beekeeping activities, cattle and rice
production within the two countries. The organization is also involved
in the retrieval of Maya Spirituality, culture and traditions, with the
support of the Association of Spiritual Guides from Guatemala AGERS;
and promoting gender equality among the various groups from both
countries. Since the creation of the project there have been 133
farmers benefiting from cacao production, 12 beekeepers and 18 cattle
farmers from Belize, and 14 beekeepers and 30 cacao farmers from
Guatemala also benefiting from this initiative. The Network has been
meeting overtime to discuss issues affecting the area and have been
involved in several cultural and agricultural exchange visits. After
working in the area for five years, we are convinced that this process
has strengthened friendship, collaboration and peace in the "adjacency
zone." Needless to say, prior to the introduction of this initiative
there were no formal contacts between the peoples of the "adjacency
zone". Help for Progress would like to continue these efforts between
Belize and Guatemala but is in need of support from concerned donors.
REDAZCO's:
Declaration of Santa Cruz click
here
Strategic Map click
here
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