In 2006, the Casa de los Amigos celebrated its 50th Anniversary and rededicated itself to its historic mission as a Center of Peace and International Understanding in Mexico City. The Casa’s mission comes to life through our current Peace Programs: Migration and Economic Justice. Casa staff and volunteers run the programs, which combine direct action, self and community education, and work in solidarity with other Mexican civil society. The Programs are strengthened by our hospitality program and guest house.
Mission
Promote and strengthen economic alternatives in Mexico, especially economies of solidarity (economia solidaria).
Lend support to Mexican partners working for economic justice and against poverty.
Raise awareness in the Casa community around the issues of economic justice in Mexico, including poverty and inequality, and the ways in which Mexican civil society is responding to create a more economically just system.
Our Work
Point of Sale: The Economic Justice Committee, comprised of Casa volunteers and staff, sells a variety of products in the Casa’s reception area made by local Mexican cooperatives: crafts –such as handmade traditional dolls, bags, and scarves – as well as fruit preserves, jams, cookies, and honey.
Solidarity Housing (Hospedaje Solidario): In addition to selling products on their behalf, the Committee works closely to support the work of the cooperatives in other ways. We offer the producers a discount when they spend the night in Mexico City and an opportunity to exchange their products for our hospitality services. Since April 2010, the Casa has accepted theTlaloc, an alternative local currency, as part of a suggested donation for staying at the Casa.
Awareness-raising and Education: The Economic Justice Committee also hosts a variety of monthly events for Casa guests, neighbors, and the greater Mexico City community, including discussions, presentations, and documentary screenings. We also monitor the news in order to keep abreast of relevant current events related to economics and poverty. This work adds to an anthology of written resources we keep on these themes.
Strengthening Ties: Members of the Committee attend events, meetings, conferences, workshops in Mexico City, as a part of the community working on these important issues. The Committee also forms part of the “Permanent workshop on community money,” a study group on these issues.
More Information
To learn more about the Casa’s economic solidarity work, please check out our latest edition of La Voz de la Casa, which focuses on our economies of solidarity.