derechos de petición (Colombia)

rather than translate literally I would render this as: similar to freedom of information requests (known as FOIA requests in the US - but just freedom if information in the UK and Canada - and since this is understandable in the US I would go with that).

Kudos to Peter Cousins, of FOR, who used this phrase in a newsletter talking about the new book by Javier Giraldo about the peace community of San Jose. As he puts it, "The substance of the book meticulously recalls the acts and threats of violence against the Peace Community over the 13 years of its existence, and details the derechos de petición (similar to freedom of information requests) concerning these attacks which have been sent to various governmental representatives, and either ignored or treated superficially."

the black caucus (US)

bancada de congresistas afrodescendientes, o la bancada negra

fue como tradujeron a Angela Davis en este articulo sobre racismo en Colombia

great social justice translation/bilingual media work opportunity

did you hear about the great protests in Copenhagen for climate justice? want to be part of the fun and excitement in the next round?

Climate Justice Now! is looking for Mexican and other students from the region committed to climate justice to serve as CJN!-COP16 interns/press room support at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP16) in Cancun Nov. 27-Dec. 11.

Students interested in helping must be committed to fighting for climate justice and working to support grassroots activists, leading policy thinkers and researchers, especially those from the global south.

Ideally, each student should be FLUENT in Spanish & English so they can work fast, in the frenzied UN conference space. Each student MUST have her/his own cell phone and her/his own laptop, with functioning WIFI--and with SKYPE up and properly functioning.


Students will be in and outside of the official conference hall and they might be assigned to cover external side events.

Responsibilities will include, but will not necessarily be limited to:
• Assisting on internal and external media operations: Press releases will be in English and Spanish, at least. It will be a MAJOR PLUS if interested students speak any other UN languages...French, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese.
• Logistics

• Blogging in English & Spanish.
• Note taking: Interns may be asked to divide up and cover sessions deemed relevant by the CJN! and strategic affiliates. They should be expected to take session notes in English &/or Spanish and may be asked to write blog entries or co-write press releases on these sessions--in cooperation with our press team--in English or Spanish.
• Possible co-support, rapid research as needed and requested for marginalized observer and country delegations.

Again, ideally each student will be FLUENT in Spanish & English so they can work fast.

These positions are unpaid. Students must arrange and fund their own travel to Cancun.


Interested applicants send resume to Lauren Gifford at laureng@dartmouth.edu

great training for social justice interpreters

At Wayside, in Virginia, Dec 3-5

WHO THIS IS FOR:
Bilingual social justice activists and workers who would like to learn more about interpreting and translating in a social justice context to empower immigrant communities and build alliances across communities.

SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE:

* Interpreter Role and Ethics
* Interpretation modes
* Use of interpreting equipment
* Differences and similarities in social justice interpreting
* Impact of language barriers in social justice movement building
* How to create a multilingual space

More info here

it's a piece of cake

pan comido

now if only finishing my dissertation were that easy!