The Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project has posted on social media:
On Saturday [October 24], PBI accompanied UVOC [Verapaz Union of Peasant Organizations] at a gathering of young leaders. The event addressed topics such as self-esteem, leadership, and an entrepreneurial vision for youth from the communities that make up UVOC.
There were discussions with prominent figures in Indigenous leadership in Guatemala—leaders dedicated to the care and protection of territories—who demonstrated, through their own examples, the type of leadership that represents the Q’eqchi’ and Poqomchi’ peoples, as well as their role in defending their territory and preserving the Maya worldview.
The goal of this gathering was to train a new generation of leaders who will carry on the struggle begun by UVOC more than 40 years ago, and to move forward together toward a new phase.”
Accompaniment
PBI-Guatemala has previously explained: “UVOC is an Indigenous and peasant organization dedicated to the defence and promotion of access to land for the peasant population in the departments of Alta and Baja Verapaz.”
They further note: “UVOC has 367 affiliated communities (about 50,000 families); 98% of which are indigenous maya Q’eqchi ‘, Poqomchi’ and Achi. Among other activities UVOC provides legal advice to numerous rural communities to legalize land, accompanies them in processes to defend their right to land, and participates in dialogue processes in the hope of finding solutions to agrarian conflicts.”
Peace Brigades International has been accompanying Verapaz Union of Peasant Organizations (UVOC since 2005) following threats and serious intimidation against some of its members.
