IDCE Fellows present Julio Cochoy

Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
Higgins University Center, Lurie Conference Room

Author and activist Julio Cochoy is speaking on the Guatemalan Civil War and its effects on women. He will talk about the work he does to improve the lives of the women in his community.

Cochoy wrote "Voces Rompiendo el Silencio de Utatlan" or "Voices Breaking the Silence of Utatlan." Published in 2006 with funding from the United Nations, the book documents the testimonies of 35 victims of the Civil War from the Santa Lucia Utatlan community.

Julio Conchoy is an economist and a Maya-Quiche Human Rights activist from Santa Lucia Utatlan. He has worked to promote human rights as a member of the staff of the "Procuraduria de los Derechos Humanos" in Guatemala (the Human Rights Ombudsman in Guatemala). He currently serves as director of "Maya Skills," an organization he founded in 2007 to create decent employment for the women who are members of the "Victims Committee of Santa Lucia Utatlan." He is building a network of volunteers and supporters in the United States to help market the handmade jewelry created by the women of Maya Skills.

Light refreshments will be provided and Maya Skills handmade jewelry will be available for purchase after the talk.

If you have any questions, contact Kristin Sherwood.