As part of BCCIC’s Groundtruthes series, BCCIC is excited to host Edwin Escoto, the Executive Director of Vecinos Honduras, for a lunch and learn on sustainable development practices from a southern perspective.  Join us on Wednesday, March 4 from 12 pm to 1 pm for a local NGO perspectives from Honduras with a focus on working in extremely difficult conditions with the most vulnerable people living in extreme poverty to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   Honduras is one of the poorest, deadliest and most corrupt countries in the world.  Thousands of Hondurans risk their lives to travel in caravans to the US.  17% of the Honduran population lives in extreme poverty. Even though the homicide rate has fallen, it is still is one of the highest in the world for a country not a war.  Transparency International rates Honduras in the bottom 30% of the most corrupt countries in the world.

Against this background, Vecinos Honduras is a very successful NGO that developed a holistic model to empower local people to manage their own affairs, improve their lives and address the root causes of migration. The work begins with training local leaders, learning about healthy food systems, empowering women, improving maternal and child health, developing entrepreneurial activities, and developing local expertise to advocate and seek additional resources.

We are fortunate to have Edwin Escoto, the Executive Director of Vecinos Honduras, touring southern BC to raise awareness of rural development challenges in Honduras.  Edwin has built Vecinos Honduras into a leading NGO promoting rural development and agroecology.  He is also the new regional coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean for Groundswell International, a non-profit organization with a mission to strengthen rural communities to build healthy farming and food systems from the ground up.

Vecinos Honduras is partner of World Neighbours Canada and Kenoli Foundation, both of whom are dedicated to empowering local communities to achieve sustainable development. This tour is made possible with funding support from Global Affairs Canada.

You are welcome to join online or in person at the BCCIC offices and bring your questions and experiences to share.

What: Sustainable Development from a Southern Perspective:  Honduras
When: Wednesday, March 4th from 12 pm to 1 pm.
Where: You are welcome to join us either online through the link below or in person in the BCCIC boardroom.
Online through the following web-call link: https://meetings.businessconnect.telus.com/j/1429422931
In person at the BCCIC office: 268 Keefer St, Unit 311, 3rd floor of the Sun Wah Centre, Chinatown, Vancouver.
Cost: Free