Overview

The 7th International Youth Intercambio 2019 brought together youth representatives from CAN’s partner organizations. Youth from Mexico, Nicaragua, and California (Watsonville and the University of California, Santa Cruz) gathered in Santa Cruz County for a four-day exchange that included trainings and knowledge exchange on a variety of topics, including: agroecology, seed saving, urban gardens, community autonomy, and migration. The youth exchange created a critical space to share and reflect on the daily struggles they confront as they work to transform the food system in their communities. The youth exchange instilled a sense of international solidarity, as participants connected how the work they are doing in their local communities contributes to justice in the food system at a global level.

 

 

 

Connecting Across Borders and Generations ZINE

Working with UC Santa Cruz’s People of Color Sustainability Collective, the Youth Network created their own zine, “Connecting Across Borders and Generations.” The zine presents the group’s perspectives on food sovereignty and the importance of having a network of alliances
.
 
See zine here!

The Shared Kitchen (Cocina Compartida)

The ever popular Cocina Compartida was a moment for everyone to join together to cook, eat, and share traditional and favorite recipes from their home regions. Recipes included Quesadillas Mexicanas (with squash flowers), Indio Viejo (Nicaragua), Tomato with Pumpkin Seed (Mexico), Banana Bread (CA) and much more!
 

Intercambio Testimonial

 
Darling Campos Rayo became a member of the Youth Network in 2011 when she was a youth promoter at a first-level coffee cooperative in her hometown of La Reina, Nicaragua. Now, she is the Coordinator of Cooperative Development at the Union of Cooperatives Agusto Cesar Sandino, San Ramon (UCA San Ramon), a grouping of eighteen cooperatives (including the first-level cooperative in her hometown). We asked her what she learned about herself by participating in the Youth Network:
I value my work as as a woman and as a young person. I know I have contributed my grain of sand for a good cause. I understand that I must raise awareness [about food sovereignty] among my family and my cooperative. It makes me proud of my roots to be here representing so many women and young people from my country. I know that I can do more for them by promoting our culture, our crops, our coffee.
 
 
 

New Publication in Spanish!