The Irish Latin American Connection is a 4 part series of programmes that looks at the experiences of Irish people who have in the recent past lived and campaigned for causes in Latin America. We will examine their motives for travelling, their contribution to the countries they lived in and how these experiences have shaped their lives and careers back in Ireland. And while doing this, we will touch on some global issues affecting Ireland, Europe and Latin America.
Programme 1: The Time Forgotten, Chiapas
This programme tells the story of Nick Jones, a 45 years old Dubliner who lived in Chiapas, Mexico at the end of the 1990s for two years in a Zapatista community, and also spent six months in Ecuador in 2002. The programme focuses on the issue of indigenous identity and struggle in a global context. We also talk to Karen Jeffares, a human rights activist who has worked in Latin America for almost five years and who coordinates the Irish branch of Peace Brigades International (PBI). We also meet Sinead McGrath, who lectures on the Migration and Development module on Maynooth University.
Produced and edited by Sally Galiana. Narrated by Mary McNamara. Our special thanks to Ámal Abordán, Education Coordinator and Office Manager of the Latin American Solidarity Centre (LASC) and Irish Aid for their support.