Northwest Development Education Association? by Betty Barton The Northwest Development Education Association is a non- profit international development education organization. The purpose of the organization is'to foster ‘a global awareness by learning about and linking with the international world. Northwest Development shares information about development issues concerning all peoples of the world; issues such as econ- omic and social distortions, environmental degradation, population pressures and declin- ing resources. A number of guest speakers sponsored by NWDEA. have spoken to school students and the general public in Terrace on issues of global import. In the past two years, speakers have included’: Walt Taylor, who observed the Nicaraguan election process; Kathy McDonald on Papua New Guinea; Ray Walker, ‘Scott Corp and Nancy Bose on southeast Asia; Randy Garrison from the South Pacific People’s Foundation of the plight of Irian Jayans (people of the Irian Jaya province of Indonesia); Forest Richard and Keith Geier on their experiences with Canada World Youth in Indonesia and Costa Rica; and Shannon Mark on an anthropological tour of China. CUSO (Canadian University Service Overseas) reps Dilly Nanji and Shirley’ McCarthy spoke at Northwest Community College, explaining their . pro- grams and recruiting volunteers. In co-sponsorship with the Terrace District Teachers’ Asso- ciation, NWDEA brought here an African a cappella choral ‘group and the play Trial of Kicking Bear. In co-operation with the Terrace & District Multicultural Association, TDTA and NWDEA, Tibetan lama Tsenjun Rimpoche spoke at Skeena Secondary School and at a luncheon provided by the Multicultural Association. “NWDEA also supports over- seas projects by selling products and crafts from subsistence farmers and artisans of develop- ing countries, These products generally come from people who are inexperienced in exporting and who would otherwise not have access to such a market. The most recent display and sale of products from Third World Countries was at the Terrace Art. Association’s Christmas Arts and Crafts Show in the art gal- lery. The - Northwest connection currently includes members in Smithers, Hazelton, Kitimat and Terrace. NWDEA is funded primarily by CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency). They also receive Support from other individuals and organizations locally, prov- incially and nationally. If you’re interested in joining, | - tional membership fees are nominal; Call Jim Bathgate at 635-7094, Kathy McDonald at 638-1056 or Nancy Ross at 638-8393 or write NWDEA, Box 207, Terrace V8G 4A6. Terrace Review —- Wednesday, January 29, 1992 17 International: Development Week is being recognized in Terrace next week. Northwest: Development Education's Liz Ball and Kathy McDonald spoke with the Terrace Review about the organization's purposes and plans. See this week's Coming Events for more details. Terrace woman to work — for change in Nicaragua by Betty Barton A Terrace woman is leaving the. community with her family ; to live in Nicaragua for several © years. At the inauguration of Interna- Development Week, Frances Birdsell will be one of the first 10 recipients of the 1992 Development Education Awards. She is also the only B.C. recipient. TERRACE TO: IN 3 DAYS YOUR AIR TICKET MAY COST YOU MORE! SEAT SALE ENDS JAN. 31 The awards will be presented at an official awards ceremony in Ottawa, sponsored by CIDA (Canadian International Develop- ment Agency). Frances is being recognized for outstanding devo- tion to international development education over the past 12 years, both through her role in North- west Development Education and through private efforts outside that organization. She was sup- ported by CUSO, Oxfam and Co-development in her applica- tion for the award. Then, through a National Selection committee of a national network of peers in international develop- ment, she was selected — to receive one of the awards, a journey to Nicaragua with all expenses paid by CIDA up to $5,000. Currently, Frances works as a consultant mediating an inte- grated resource management plan for the forest area around Terrace. She is also actively involved with the Gitksan Wet’- suwet’en and the Terrace Women & Development group, which she helped to found in 1987, As soon as school is out in June, Frances, her two daughters and their dog will be packing their bags and driving to Nica- ragua for a period of three to five years. Frances says, "It's a door opening and I’m stepping through it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years." In Nicaragua, she proposes to study the current situation and oppor- tunities for change for women and indigenous peoples in Nica- Tagua. Frances feels that with UNO in power, and a re-assessment by the Sandinistas of their _ accountability to their roots, the Frances Birdeell: A critical moment for change. next few years present a critical moment for change. This is an opportunity for women’s and indigenous peoples’ organiz- ations to make representations for policies and practices needed to re-build broad consensus on economic, social and cultural issues. The Gitksan Wet’suwet’en people in northwestern B.C. are particularly interested in making links with the Miskito people of the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua. Frances hopes to work with non- governmental organizations in Nicaragua to facilitate the links the Gitksan would like to estab- ‘Ush. The Terrace Women & Devel- opment group has long felt a keen desire to learn more about © the reality of women’s lives in other parts of the world. While: . she is away, Frances will write articles for the feminist and community-based newspapers and magazines in B.C. and for the United Chuich Observer.