US – El Salvador Sister CitiesOrientation packet for Delegations 2012

Contents

OVERVIEW......................................................................................................1HEALTH AND SAFETY.....................................................................................2CULTURAL SENSITIVITY AND OTHER CULTURAL ISSUES............................4TRAVEL TO AND WITHIN EL SALVADOR....................................................10TAKING YOUR EXPERIENCES HOME...........................................................11WHAT IS THE SISTER CITIES NETWORK?..................................................11WHAT IS CRIPDES?...................................................................................13SHORT INDEX OF ORGANIZATIONS AND ACRONYMS IN EL SALVADOR... .14RESOURCES ON EL SALVADOR....................................................................18

Overview

The U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities Network is a grassroots organization of U.S. citizens and residents who have formed ongoing partnerships with small rural communities in El Salvador. These partnerships, which began in 1986 as a citizen-based response to the U.S. intervention in El Salvador’s civil war, work to develop economic and social justice throughout El Salvador.  Twenty-five sister cities from across the United States are paired with Salvadoran communities in 6 of El Salvador’s 14 provinces. The U.S. Sister Cities provide political and moral solidarity and economic support to their Salvadoran counterparts and raise awareness in the United States about El Salvador’s continuing struggle for peace and justice.

This orientation packet contains some useful information that will help you as you prepare for upcoming delegation. We recommend that you follow the health recommendations for food and water, as well as the safety guidelines. These are the product of years of collective experience with delegations. Additionally, there is information on cultural sensitivity, some background about CRIPDES and sistering, a short guide to the alphabet soup of social movement and political organizations of El Salvador, and some ideas of how you can bring your experiences in El Salvador back home with you.

Feel free to approach your delegation coordinator or the El Salvador Sister Cities office staff with questions about this packet or other issues. We are always looking to update this packet, so if you feel there is something that should or should not be here, please let us know.

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Health Issues

Vaccines and Medications:No shots are legally required for travel to El Salvador. However, the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that you be up to date on your diphtheria-tetanus and polio inoculations. Protection against malaria, which is a health issue, though not as common as in other neighboring countries, is something that you will want to discuss with your doctor. To help avoid contracting both malaria and dengue fever, which is common everywhere during the rainy season, use mosquito repellent and avoid being bitten.

Some doctors advise a gamma globulin shot for protection against Hepatitis A. It is recommended that you get a vaccine for Hepatitis A and Typhoid as well. Although there is a vaccine for cholera, some say that the vaccine is more dangerous than the disease. The decision is up to you and your own health professional. In any event, travelers must be cautious with what they eat and drink. Hepatitis, cholera, and diarrhea often come from contaminated food bought on the street or in small stands.

The change in environment can significantly affect your ability to sleep well. If you foresee sleeping problems check with your doctor. Also keep in mind that the sun in El Salvador is very strong, especially in March the peak month of the hot-season. Please bring sunscreen. Note: This packet is only provided to begin your preparation. For medical and health-related advice, you must consult your own health care provider before travel.

Eating and drinking“Don’t drink the water” is always a useful piece of advice given to travelers in Latin America and other “developing” areas of the world. El Salvador’s food and water contain a plethora of bacteria and other microorganisms that your body has few, if any, defenses against. This, along with questionable sanitation measures taken in some food preparations, lead us to recommend that you follow the following health precautions.

Food In general avoid uncooked vegetables. This is especially true of lettuce, which is

known to absorb some of the toxic metals and chemicals that come from irrigation water or extensive use of pesticides. Other uncooked vegetables, such as radishes, are known to be vectors for cholera and other diseases. If you eat pupusas (no visit to El Salvador is complete without this), note that the “curtidos” (the cabbage and carrot side dish) are made from uncooked vegetables. Note: eating salad in some restaurants may be OK – ask your delegation coordinator.

It is best to not buy food and beverages from stalls or vendors on the street. It might not be prepared under the best sanitary conditions. Packaged Juices and Coca-Cola are safe to drink.

Because of questionable sanitary control, it is best to only eat fruit that you peel yourself.

Avoid uncooked seafood and seafood in general like the plague. It is a very well known vector for cholera.

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In the countryside, avoid lactose products that have not been boiled. Though the risks are quite low, the milk, cheese and cream are most likely un-pasteurized and may possibly carry diseases.

Water El Salvador is a very hot country. Make sure that you always carry and drink water

frequently. (“If you are feeling thirsty, it is already too late...”) Do not drink tap water. People in the communities

drink water either directly from the tap or boiled. Their stomachs are quite different from yours – they are used to different bacteria and have different levels of tolerance. Water in the communities may not hurt you, but it is best to not find out if it will.

Always drink purified water. Ice in drinks is often made from tap water. It is always better to not have a drink with ice. The phrase “sin hielo” (without ice) is a very handy Spanish phrase. Again, some restaurants use ice made with safe water. Always ask before, or ask your delegation coordinator. Avoid drinking refrescos (which can also often be made with tap water) unless you

know they are made with safe water.

Bathroom facilities In the city, note that there are little wastebaskets next to the toilets. To avoid clogging

up the plumbing, which has very low water pressure, please put used toilet paper in the wastebaskets. Note: Carry your own toilet paper.

In the countryside, you will probably be using dry latrines. Feel free to throw the paper in, as it is biodegradable.

Do not even look for a hot water faucet. They don’t exist. In the countryside, most people bathe by their “pilas” (water tanks), throwing water on themselves with “guacales” (plastic bowls). Where there is no privacy, people will bathe in their undergarments and everybody else will ideally not look. Women may want to wear a long nightshirt, or shorts and a T-shirt, for bathing.

In the city, accomodations are typically very simple but clean and comfortable. In the guest houses, 3-4 people may be required to share a room, and bathroom facilities are often shared between rooms. Again, water pressure is often low and hot water hard to come by.

Safety

Crime is a serious problem in El Salvador, especially, as in any large city, in San Salvador. We do not want to alarm you. By using the same street smarts you would use in major US cities, you can minimize the possibilities of being a victim of crime. Following are some safety guidelines; always ask your coordinator if you have questions. No need to be paranoid, but do always be aware of your surroundings and who is

around you.

Many Salvadorans suffer from chronic gastrointestinal diseases and have parasites from drinking tap water. For many Salvadorans the cost of bottled purified water is prohibitive and a luxury they can not afford.

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If you must leave the guest house/place where you are staying, take someone along, and always let your delegation coordinator know before you leave.

Avoid walking around areas you do not know well or after dark. Carry only as much money as you need and divide it up instead of carrying it in one

place. Shoes, bras, pockets, underwear, money belts, and wallets are good places to carry it.

Be aware of things you are wearing that could potentially draw attention to you (expensive jewelry, big watches). Generally speaking it is best to not bring anything of great value.

Should something happen follow the instructions of the delegation coordinator or Sister Cities staff with you. Please do not question or challenge their judgment. There will be space and time later to discuss concerns you may have.

Should you find yourself in a crime situation or be the victim, do not resist, and try to get out of the situation as soon as possible. If you are confronted give the person whatever they ask for, even if they appear unarmed. Do not scream or yell for help.

Though the peace accords have diminished political persecution, there is still some degree of this. Please note that some people in some situations could understand discussing politics or even identifying what you are doing here as being “political”. Foreigners can be expelled for participating in politics in the country. Please be discreet – as always, ask your coordinator or other Sister Cities staff.

On a relatively unrelated note, please be careful crossing streets. There is decidedly not a culture of respect for pedestrians in El Salvador. Cars may very often not stop for people crossing the street. You are a target to be run over!

Cultural Sensitivity and other Cultural Issues

GreetingsManners and greetings in particular are a very important part of Salvadoran culture and especially in the countryside. When meeting people for the first time or greeting someone, people in El Salvador

shake hands, though sometimes this can be skipped if there is a large group of people. Some people may kiss on the cheek or hug; this is more common between women and more common in the city.

It is customary to greet virtually everyone you come across in the countryside. “Buenos días” (Good Morning) is used in the mornings, “Buenas tardes” in the afternoon, and “Buenas noches” at night. For those less inclined to put their linguistic skills to the test, “ Buenas ” is a trump greeting that will work at any time.

Especially used with children, “ Salu' ” (shortened version of the word for Health) is a more informal greeting and can be used to say goodbye (“Adios”).

El Salvador is still recovering from a very violent past. Weapons of war continue to be an everyday sight, and this is still somewhat of a shock for foreigners. Many places you visit in the city, including restaurants, will have at least one well-armed guard. Police are often heavily armed.

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A big part of the protocol of delegations in the communities is the “saludos” or formal greetings to the Town Council, Community Assembly, or other organizations in the communities. A standard “Saludo” will be given by one member and usually includes the following: a greeting, expressions of gratitude to the community and joy to be there, and an explanation of who the group is.

When going through a room with people or leaving a group/personal conversation, you excuse yourself by asking for permission “Permiso,” which is granted by saying “Propio,” (“it's yours”).

Introductions. Every meeting with new people present in El Salvador will begin with an introduction of those present. Be prepared to introduce yourself.

Cameras and PhotosPhotos and slides are a valuable tool for sharing your experience with others after your return to the United States. However, as in most places in the world, it is polite to always ask people if you can take their picture before clicking away. Once you've asked, folks are usually more than happy to have their picture taken. If you take photos of people it is very appropriate to send them copies. In fact, they may expect this of you. This can be coordinated through Sister Cities folks in El Salvador.

ClothingYour appearance while in El Salvador is important. You will already draw attention as a group of people from outside the country, so, in general, clothes should be worn that do not draw extra attention to you or the group.

US and Salvadoran customs officials, as well as Salvadoran security forces, may harass you if you look "counterculture" or disheveled. Wear nice, casual clothing for the flight down and bring one set of semi-formal clothing for official meetings such as with the US Embassy or high-level members of political parties.

In El Salvador, you need to look presentable, but also be comfortable. The weather will be warm in the daytime (80-90 degrees). Short-sleeve shirts and blouses are most comfortable, or shirts styled like T-shirts. For women, pants or a skirt with a shirt are suitable. Slacks and a button-down are appropriate for men. Light pants are more comfortable than jeans, and much easier to hand-wash. Shorts are generally not worn in the countryside, or by many men. Women may be cooler in a skirt or dress, but pants are fine and are recommended in the countryside. Do not bring anything torn, any military-issue articles, or clothes with political slogans or pictures on them. Wearing of indigenous-style clothes by foreigners may also be frowned upon. Revealing, see-through clothing is culturally unacceptable. For men with long hair, be prepared to wear it in a neat ponytail. It is relatively uncommon to see Salvadoran men with long hair, and it can be another reason for harassment.

In the evenings and in the north it gets cooler, so bring a lightweight sweater or jacket. Rainy season runs from late April until October; during this period bring an umbrella or light raincoat. Good walking shoes are important. Tennis shoes are fine. Bring thongs for

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the house at night and for showers. During the rainy season the ground can get wet and very muddy, so bring extra socks and shoes.

In general, bring the least luggage possible, but since you'll probably be washing your clothes in the sink, don't plan on doing a lot of laundry. Bring everything you will need during the first week of the delegation IN YOUR CARRY ON. El Salvador is well known for luggage arriving late.

What to bring:The items marked with an * are strongly suggested; others are optional.*photocopy of passport *money belt*insect repellent*vital toiletries (inc. toilet paper)moist towelettes Pepto-Bismol/ Imodiumheadache & cold remediesanti-itch cream for bitesBand-Aids & first aid cream*sunglasses and hattravel alarm*bath towel/wash clothenergy snacks*overnight bag/pack

*sunscreen*bed sheet/foam sleeping pad*small flashlight & batteriescredit and debit card earplugs*shorts or bathing suitlight sandalswalking shoes** water bottle*light sweater or jacket*notebook and pens/pencils*Spanish-English dictionary/phrase book*extra film and batteries

Sexism and MachismoAs foreigners, particularly those who are light skinned, we call attention to ourselves. As women, this attention often comes in the form of comments by men on the streets in cities and towns, particularly in San Salvador (though, thankfully, rarely in the rural communities you will be visiting). Some of these comments are masked as compliments, such as “Hola bonita” (Hello, pretty woman) while others are more possessive, “Buenas tardes, mi amor,” (Good afternoon, my love) and still others are aggressive, “Come here my love,” or “hey girlie come with me” (yes, speaking to light skinned women in English is a favorite). Still others may attempt to touch your arm, or your leg, or may be more vulgar, though this is rare.

The most important thing to remember is that this treatment has little to do with what the woman is doing. Wearing long skirts or pants helps cut down on comments; however, outside of that there is little we can do. The men who engage in such behavior may believe that women are nothing more than objects walking the streets for their pleasure. Our best advice for women is to ignore their commentaries and to stay together whenever possible. Keep your head high and your self-esteem up. And if at any time anything concerning happens to you, please inform your group coordinator or someone from your group with whom you feel comfortable discussing the issue.

Physical Conditions:

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El Salvador can be uncomfortable at times. The weather is very hot, air conditioning is rare, and rooms can be stuffy and smoky. Long walks in hot weather may be necessary. Sometimes there are limited food choices. Many areas suffer from severe environmental devastation and a breakdown in infrastructure. At times, you may be without running water or electricity, and if you go to the countryside there may be nights where you'll sleep on just a straw mat and with very little privacy.

The stress of these conditions combined with busy days, and new food, can be compounded by the testimonies of Salvadorans you'll meet and activities you'll witness. Everyone has a few experiences which really hit home. Sharing these experiences with others will help convey the Salvadoran reality to our fellow North Americans, which is one of our objectives.

It is important, though, that you be prepared physically and psychologically to deal with these conditions. If you feel uncertain, or have a history of recurring physical and/or psychological problems, talk with the national coordinator before deciding to participate in the delegation. Not doing so can create problems for the rest of the group. Once in El Salvador, if you find yourself in a totally unbearable situation, don't keep it to yourself; talk to your coordinator.

Group Process:Our time in El Salvador will be brief and intense. New environment, language, cultural norms, rules of etiquette, political atmosphere, and 24-hour delegation companions can make for a challenging experience, but one that most people say they will remember and value for a lifetime. Your group coordinators will include time for morning reflections (led by individuals or pairs within the group), and evening processing of days' events. Past delegates have agreed that these daily activities are essential to gaining focus and perspective, working through complex thoughts and emotions, and forming relationships with other delegates. Please come prepared to fully participate in these shared group times. As a short-term delegation, we are a team of often-unlikely teammates. Individual interests, personalities, or concerns will be encouraged and addressed, but -- as with a team -- contribution, encouragement, patience, respect, and sacrifice from every member will be necessary. Please consider before the trip what experiences or skills you bring to a group, and what roles or responsibilities you would like yourself and other delegates to assume to make our stay in El Salvador as smooth, safe, and productive as possible. We will discuss this as a group upon arrival in El Salvador. Also, feel free to contact your group coordinators with any anticipated concerns or questions.

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Travel to and within El Salvador: Documents and Travel Tips

Plane Tickets to El Salvador:

Delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the San Salvador Comalapa Airport. Fares range between $300 to $800. Once booked, please give your flight information to the El Salvador Sister Cities staff so we can coordinate ground travel.

Passport:You must have a valid passport (one which does not expire within six months of the date of the trip). Getting a new passport usually takes about four weeks, longer near holidays. The passport office is listed in the phone book. Always carry a photocopy of your passport with you. While on the delegation your passport will be stored in a lock box.

Getting a Tourist Card or Visa:US citizens do not need a visa. (If you have a non-US passport, call the Salvadoran Embassy to see if you need a visa.) US citizens need to purchase a $10 tourist card upon arrival in El Salvador. This card is good for 90 days. Please be sure to have this cash readily available at the airport.

Airport Arrival, Customs and Immigration:On your trip to El Salvador, we recommend that you do not talk about details of where you will be or what you will be doing on the airplane or in the airports.

Once you arrive at the airport you will begin the immigration and customs process. First, proceed to the immigration booths and enter the "extranjeros" (foreigners) line. Present your passport and pay the $10 for the tourist card. The immigration official may ask you: Why are you here? How long will you be here? You should answer: vacation, and however long you plan on staying plus a few extra days. On your tourist card, write the address of the guest house or hotel where your delegation will be staying. The official will then stamp your passport. Do not loose your tourist card as you will need it to get out of the country.

Next, pick up your luggage and proceed to customs. Go to the line that says "No Declarar" (nothing to declare) with the form you filled out on the airplane. In this line you will be asked to push a button which will randomly light up either green or red. Green light = proceed out of the building. Red light = you will need to open up your bags to be searched. Generally they will ask you to open up your bags and will check around the sides, but most likely won't search through all of your belongings. If your bags are locked, which we recommend, please keep the key close at hand.

Note: If your bags do not arrive, proceed to your airlines' baggage claim offices, located to the left of baggage claim. File a report. Give them your contact information: the Sister Cities Salvador office phone number and address.

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Money

We ask delegates to bring cash for their additional personal expenses over and above the transportation and daily room and board costs included in the delegation fee. US dollars are the currency of El Salvador, and ATM machines are available in the city but, for your convenience, we suggest that you also bring cash carefully placed in various parts of your luggage and clothing.

If at all possible, avoid bringing traveler’s checks to El Salvador, as it is NOT a routine process in the great majority of Salvadoran banks and does consume time. If you do choose to bring them, the easiest to deal with are American Express, though one often has to go to the American Express office in San Salvador to get them changed. Make sure you bring the original receipts (that piece of paper that the travel agent does not recommend that you bring, which clearly says to keep it separate from the checks). Otherwise, you will have an even more difficult time cashing them. As mentioned before, ATM debit cards are the most convenient way to access cash, other than bringing money with you in advance and avoiding bills larger than $20.

Taking your El Salvador experience home with you

Media work:An important way you can support the El Salvadoran people, your sistered communities, Sister Cities and CRIPDES, is by establishing media contacts and/or writing articles for local, regional, and national newspapers. Ask to set up a meeting with your local press before your trip to El Salvador, explaining what you will be doing, and why it is important Offer them your stories and photos.

TestimonyYou will be witnessing firsthand what the majority of people in the US, including solidarity activists, rarely hear about or read about here. So it is very important to document your experience with photos or slides (better for presentations), and through written testimony. Written reports can be used in committee newsletters or as the basis for news articles. Any kind of written testimony is helpful, from your personal impressions of a meeting with rural campesina women, to a detailed account of social movement groups. If you would like to become more involved in the work of US – El Salvador Sister Cities after your delegation, there are several options: Get involved in your local Sister City Committee’s activities; these vary greatly from

committee to committee, but may involve exchange activities with your sister community/El Salvador (speaking tours, delegations, letter writing), organizing around advocacy for El Salvador, Central America or other related issues (writing letters, having informational events), and fundraising.

If you live in a place that does not have a Sister City committee, you don’t have to set up your own sister city - get involved in one of the National Sister Cities Work

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groups. These work groups dialogue about issues, share information, organize delegations, and prepare and carry out advocacy campaigns. There are currently 3 work groups: Women, Education, and Just Garments labor campaign.

Of course, if you'd like to set up a new sistering relationship, we're happy to work with you. Please contact our staff and we'll work together on a strategy to get started!

What is the Sister Cities Network?

The U.S.--El Salvador Sister Cities network is a grassroots organization of U.S. citizens and residents who have formed on-going partnerships with small communities in El Salvador.These partnerships, which began in 1986 as citizen-basedResponse to the U.S. intervention in El Salvador's civil war,work to develop economic and social justice throughout ElSalvador. 25 sister cities from across the United States arePaired with Salvadoran communities in 6 of El Salvador's14 provinces. The U.S. Sister Cities provide political, moral,and economic support to their Salvadoran counterparts, communicate regularly with them, and raise awareness in the United States about El Salvador's continuing struggle forpeace and democracy.

Sister Cities Today

In peacetime, the model of ongoing communication and relations has played a major role in the Salvadoran communities’ efforts to recover and rebuild. Sister Cities national program of advocacy, communication, education and direct assistance has contributed to the struggles to implement the Peace Accords, to organize free and fair elections, and to advocate economic policies that favor grassroots development in rural El Salvador.

National Advocacy:  Sister Cities organizes campaigns that petition both the governments of El Salvador and the United States to support efforts for peace and development,  including the full implementation of the Peace Accords, community participation in the formation of national agrarian policy and post-Mitch reconstruction, and free and open elections.  Advocacy  includes visits to officials, fax and letter-writing campaigns, media work and delegations to meet with high level U.S. and Salvadoran officials.

Local Advocacy:  In response to requests by their Salvadoran partners that they accompany local advocacy efforts, Sister Cities often organize campaigns to encourage officials to respect agreements reached with the sistered communities.  Examples include: monitoring local elections and land transfer agreements,  and requesting updated information about a delayed response to a community’s application for  the building of schools and roads.

Communication and Accompaniment: Through yearly  visits, monthly letter-writing, phone calls and information shared through the Sister Cities network, Sister Cities provide an ongoing presence of protection and encouragement to their Salvadoran partners.  The

In September of 1990, a Salvadoran army officer stopped a visiting US delegation at a checkpoint and told the Salvadoran driver, “...if this was 1980, you’d be hanging from that tree.”

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relationships have greatly reduced the isolation of small Salvadoran communities and increased respect for human rights in El Salvador.

Direct Assistance:  Sister Cities raise funds through community-based activities  in support of community organizing efforts in El Salvador. For example, U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities New York, Philadelphia, Bellingham, Austin and Sacramento have teamed up to raise funds for a youth organizing project that will develop a new generation of leaders in over 40 communities in San Vicente Province, including the five Sister Cities communities.

Through these and other forms of solidarity work, Sister Cities relationships have helped to build trust, communication, dignity, hope and organization.

A National Network:  Empowering ourselves and our partners

The 25 members of Sister Cities developed the national organization, U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities, to allow them to plan and work strategically with each other and with their Salvadoran partners. Acting as part of a larger network, the local cities are able to generate national advocacy and education efforts that alone would not have nearly as great an impact on  U.S. and Salvadoran officials, the media, and the U.S. public.

The National Office of U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities coordinates delegations to El Salvador, compiles and sends out regular information on the Sister Cities network, develops national and local programs, and assists local Sister Cities in the implementation of their programs.

What is CRIPDES?

CRIPDES, the Association of Rural Communities for Development of El Salvador, formerly the Christian Committee of the Displaced, is the historical partner of Sister Cities. All of the communities we are sistered with are organized through CRIPDES.

CRIPDES was founded in 1984 to accompany and support the population displaced by the war in their efforts to return and stay in their places of origin. The main areas of work were organizing and accompanying re-populations, consolidating local organizations so that people could stay in their places of origin, and demanding a negotiated solution to the war. In 1988, the communities of CRIPDES created regional organizations to direct their operations. The communities in the regions democratically elect the governing board of both the regional organizations and national CRIPDES. The national and regional boards of CRIPDES are composed of people from the communities. There are elections of national and regional boards every two years. Board members can serve only two terms. The structure of regional organizations coordinated through national CRIPDES is the most important part of the organizations functioning, helping CRIPDES always maintain connection with the base.

Persecution of CRIPDES

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Because of its work, CRIPDES has suffered the persecution of the government. The most notorious incident was the army raid of the CRIPDES office in 1989. The National Guard detained the 64 people that were in the office, including children and people who were either wounded or recovering from illness at the CRIPDES health clinic. Several of the people detained were tortured. Six members of the leadership were put in jail for 4 months. To date, the Salvadoran Ministry of the Interior has refused to give CRIPDES the legal status that the organization has been requesting since 1988.

After the signing of the Peace Accords and the end of the war in 1992, CRIPDES changed the focus of its work. To reflect these changes CRIPDES changed its name to the Association of Rural Communities for Development of El Salvador. It’s new mission is to strengthen and develop organizing in rural communities in their struggle for an economically, politically, and socially just society. _________________________________________________________________________

For more information on U.S.- El Salvador Sister Cities, contact:

San Salvador office: 011- 503 226 3717 sistercities@telesal.net

Index of organizations and acronyms in El Salvador

I. Organizations within the social movement and non-governmental org.AGEUS: General Association of Salvadoran University Students, which has existed since

the 1920's and organizes students at the University of El Salvador. The government closed the UES in 1980, allowing it to reopen only in 1984; it was closed again from November 1989 until June 1990. Since then the government has continued to harass and repress AGEUS and other members of the University community, while denying an adequate budget for the school's operation. AGEUS works to improve conditions at the UES, to provide services to students, and to involve students in the wider popular movement.

ANDES National Association of Salvadoran Educators. ANDES has historically been one of El Salvador's largest and most important unions. Since it was founded in 1965 it has been at the forefront of the movement for social justice in El Salvador, and has consequently suffered heavy government repression. In November 1999 the Government threatened to take away their legal status.

ALGES Salvadoran Association of War-Wounded. This organization of war-wounded and handicapped veterans of the FMLN is organizing to improve the living conditions for wounded veterans (lisiados) and all people with disabilities in El Salvador. They work closely in coalition with an organization of wounded veterans of the Salvadoran military.

CESTA Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology. Formed in 1980 by grassroots organizers, human rights advocates, and professionals after deep reflection

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about the economic, political and social context of the environmental crisis in El Salvador. The guiding objective of CESTA is to facilitate the social and ecological rehabilitation of El Salvador.

CIS International Solidarity Center: Founded in 1993 by CISPES, Sister Cities and European solidarity organizations, it houses a Spanish and English school, a human rights program and a traditional craft store.

CORDES Foundation for Community Cooperation and Development of El Salvador. Non-governmental organization that provides technical assistance and support for productive efforts in rural communities. Founded in 1988, CORDES works closely with CRIPDES.

FEASIES: The Federation of Independent Associations and Unions of El Salvador, formed in October 1987. The principal objectives of FEASIES are to coordinate the struggles of their member organizations for respect of workers' rights; to offer training and assistance to unions in the process of organizing their workers; and to unify labor unions not organized in federations, in order to strengthen their participation in the struggle for peace with social justice in El Salvador.

FORO – AGRO

Agricultural Forum. Coalition of 40 campesino and farming cooperative organizations founded in 1996 to work for the defense and reactivation of El Salvador's agricultural sector. The Foro has played a key role in securing agrarian debt relief. Its long-term goal is reactivation of the agricultural sector in ways that address the needs of small farmers.

FUNDE: National Foundation for Development. Left-wing think tank, works on issues of pro-active social and economic development.

ISD The Social Initiative for Democracy is a non-governmental organization that specializes in citizen participation efforts. It began with a focus on voter education and has now expanded its work to include the promotion of citizen participation in local government

Las Dignas

Women for Dignity and Life. Feminist organization that educates and provides training to groups concerning gender issues. They are also involved in advocacy work and creating public policy that promotes the rights of women.

MAM The Melida Anaya Montes Women's Movement was formed in 1992 to respond to the needs of women in the context of building economic and social justice and democracy in Salvadoran society. Their work includes feminist education, grassroots organizing, and leadership building to encourage women to run for political office, and supporting maquila workers in their struggle for decent working conditions.

SUTTEL Unified Union of Telecommunications Workers. Organized in June 998 by the former leadership of ASTTEL after three unsuccessful attempts to get ASTTEL certified by the Labor Ministry as a union. SUTTEL's first attempt has been denied, but they have appealed to the Supreme Court and are awaiting the results. SUTTEL/ASTTEL was formed the to fight the privatization of El Salvador's telecommunications network. Once the privatization happened, their focus became struggling against the firings of workers involved in the unionization effort.

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II. Political Parties in El SalvadorFMLN The Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front was founded in October

1980 as a coalition of five political-military organizations that came together just as the country's age-old economic, social and political polarization was about to explode into civil war. The FMLN believes that Salvadoran society will flourish and develop only under conditions of authentic democracy. While drawing on a variety of ideological influences, the FMLN bases its political and economic positions on the interests of the poor and disenfranchised. The FMLN was made a legal political party in 1992, as mandated by the Peace Accords. In the 1994 elections, the FMLN ran as part of a coalition for the presidency with the Democratic Convergence and the MNR. In December of 1995, the FMLN dissolved the 5 individual parties and unified to make one party. The former parties were: FPL: Popular Forces of Liberation, formed in 1970. PCS: Salvadoran Communist Party, formed in the 1920's. PRTC: Central American Revolutionary Workers Party, formed in 1975. ERP: Renovated Expression of the People (formerly, the People's

Revolutionary Army), was formed in 1972. The ERP's leadership declared itself social democratic and split from the FMLN in 1995 to form the Democratic Party.

RN: National Resistance, formed in 1975. A faction of it split from the FMLN to participate in the Democratic Party.

In 1997, the FMLN participated in legislative and municipal elections. They won 27 legislative assembly seats and 52 municipalities, including San Salvador and many working-class suburbs of the capital. Their strongest work in the legislative assembly, such as struggling for forgiveness of the agrarian debt, the fight against privatizations, and advocacy around the anti-mining campaigns, has been done in coordination with social movement organizations. Most recently, in 2009, Mauricio Funes was elected President of the Republic, the first time ever an FMLN candidate has won national office.

ARENA National Republican Alliance. Founded in 1981 by Major Roberto D'Aubuisson (also founder of the death squads), ARENA is the party of El Salvador's oligarchy, the elite that has traditionally dominated the country's economy and politics. In the past, elite has meant those with land and export crops (coffee, etc.). However, with the growth of globalization and neo-liberal economic policy, a newer elite based in banks and finance has emerged. In the 1994 elections, Armando Calderon Sol was elected president. In 1999 Francisco Flores was elected President of the Republic, and in 2004, Antonio Saca.

GANA Gran Alianza por la Unidad Nacional is the newest Salvadoran political party, formed in January 2010 as a split-off from the ARENA party by previous ARENA president Antonio Saca and dissident colleagues on the business right. Equally right-wing in its orientation as ARENA, it has 11 seats in the National Assembly as of the 2012 elections, in third place behind ARENA (33) and the FLMN (31).

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PDC Christian Democratic Party. Founded in 1960, the PDC was based on a reformist, modernizing program. In 1972 the PDC joined a center-left coalition, UNO, which won the presidential elections only to have the army seize the ballot boxes and sent candidate Napoleon Duarte into exile. In 1980, after a civilian-military coup, Duarte was called back from exile to head the government junta. In 1984, U.S.-sponsored elections put Duarte in the presidency as the centerpiece of the U.S. counter-insurgency strategy. ARENA's Cristiani beat out the PDC for the presidency in 1989. In 1997, they won 8 legislative assembly seats. The PDC often negotiates and votes with ARENA in order to survive.

PCN National Conciliation Party, founded in 1961 as the official party of the military. The PCN usually votes with ARENA, although at times takes an opposing position in order to maintain independence. Many of their supporters are from rural El Salvador.

USC Social Christian Union: formed from the joining of the Social Christian Renovation Party (PRSC), which was founded in 1995 as a split off from the PDC, the Unity Movement Party, a moderate to conservative evangelical party founded in 1993, and the defunct National Solidarity Movement (MSN). It is a centrist party, though it is moving towards the left. For the 1999 presidential elections, the USC runs in coalition with the FMLN.

PLD Liberal Democrat Party. Formed as a split-off from ARENA when its leader, Kirio Waldo Salgado, was left out from the group that was getting rich from the privatization of the banks. The PLD is bit more towards the center than ARENA. They will occasionally vote with the FMLN in order to support measures they deem as anti-Crisitani. (Cristiani was responsible for the bank privatization.)

PAN National Action Party. Formed in November 1999. Strongly affiliated with APROAS, an organization of paramilitaries from the war.

CDU The United Democratic Center was founded on November 22, 1998 from five existing centrist political parties to serve as a third viable option in the 1999 presidential elections. Acknowledging that the probability of winning the elections is slim, they are looking towards the 2000 legislative and municipal elections. The CDU is composed of: PD: Democratic Party. Founded in 1995 by the leadership of the ERP and

the RN (see above), the PD defines itself as social democratic, although in practice it has sided with the right.

CD: The Democratic Convergence was organized in November, 1987 as an electoral alliance of 3 political parties: MNR (National Revolutionary Movement), MPSC (Popular Social Christian Movement) and PSD (Social Democratic Party). The MNR has since left the Democratic Convergence and the UDN (Nationalist Democratic Union) has joined.

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III. Electoral bodies and bodies created by the Peace AccordsTSE The Supreme Electoral Tribunal oversees the entire electoral system of El

Salvador and is the only body that can register citizens. It is a five-member board composed of two independents named by the Supreme Court oneeach from the three political parties that won the most votes in the previous presidential election.

Junta Permanente de Vigilancia

Oversight Committee set up to oversee the work of the TSE. Each registered political party has the right to a representative on the Junta de Vigilancia.

PDDH Governmental Office for the Defense of Human Rights. It was formed after the signing of the Peace Accords in 1992 and has been a respected institution in El Salvador. The office has intervened in labor rights cases and in cases of violence against gays. There is also a section that specializes in women's rights.

PNC The National Civilian Police. The PNC replaced the National Guard, Treasury Police, and National Police. The PNC is under the authority of the President and explicitly independent of the Armed Forces. It is responsible for maintaining public order, with a pluralist and non-discriminatory selection system. Former members of the FMLN are members of the PNC. The PNC has been responsible for repression of demonstrations by the labormovement and other sectors of the social movement.

Resources on El Salvador

Books:

Inside El Salvador, Kevin Murray, Interhemispheric Resource Center, 1995Fighting to Learn: Popular Education and Guerrilla War in El Salvador, John L Hammond, Rutgers University Press, 1998.Promised Land: Peasant Rebellion in Chaltenango, El Salvador. Jenny Pearce, Monthly Review Press, 1986.Revolution in El Salvador: From Civil Strife to Civil Peace. Tommie Sue Montgomery, 1995 Westview Press.Hear My Testimony: Maria Teresa Tula, Human Rights Activist. Lynn Stephen, 1994, South End Press.Promised Land: Death and Life in El Salvador. Scott Weight, 1994 Orbis Books El Mozote Massacre: Anthropology and Human Rights. Leigh Binford, 1996, University of Arizona Press. The Culture and Customs of El Salvador. Roy C. Boland. 2001, Greenwood Press.One Day of Life. Manlio Argueta, 1983, Aventura (Vintage Books), 1983.

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Internet resources:U.S.—El Salvador Sister Cities: http://jeffbogdan.net/usessc/index.php. U.S. Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1109.html

Videos:Maria’s Story. Pamela Cohen. (Appeared on POV on PBS) 1991.El Norte. If the Mango Tree Could Speak.RomeroSalvadorVoces inocentes (Innocent Voices)Enemies of War

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