Laura McClusky and Michael Niman: Struggles of Southern Belize; A Three-Part Discussion

Southern Belize is majority indigenous Maya. Mostly rural farmers, Maya have been engaged in a decades long struggle for self-governance and for land. In recent years, International courts have judged in favor of the Maya and against the Government of Belize. Yet, Maya demands are still not being met. Meanwhile, the new President of Guatemala has been pushing on the century old controversy of Belizean sovereignty. Military skirmishes  have been taking place in the south as Guatemalans and Belizeans fight for border maintenance along the Sarstoon River. Lastly, educated Maya running short-staffed thinly resourced organizations have been at the forefront of these struggles.  Education is one of the ways Maya can help themselves and protect their heritage and the nation of Belize. The Maya Educational Foundation has limited resources to help. The talk will cover the basics of all three of these topics