Community Outreach/ International Relations Department

The extraordinary work and success of El Centro de la Raza in international affairs is rooted in the era of the initial occupation of our facility. At that time the war in Vietnam was at its height, and Latin America and many other countries were in political and economic turmoil. With the formation of a committee to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Nicaragua in 1972 and, later, to protest U.S. involvement in the military coup in Chile, our international activities evolved until we established the International Relations/Community Outreach Department in 1977.

Through this department we maintain contacts with national and international Organizations seeking peace in Asia, Africa Latin America and the Middle East. Youth and adults from all walks of life work together on projects ranging form art exhibits, poetry workshops, art classes and hosting visiting dignitaries.

The department promotes programs for peace and understanding with countries around the world through cultural and educational exchanges. These programs build people-to-people ties by sponsoring tours, educational and cultural presentations and speakers. The department provides educational resources including films, slideshows and literature.

Key activities include:

Hope for Youth

In this program, our youth participate in conferences and exchanges with other young people to share experiences and learn from each other in a positive, multi-ethnic environment. The program features art, poetry and community organizing, both on-site and in the public schools. A poetry book, Word Up! which has received extraordinary public attention, was published by program participants in 1992.

Community University

This program promotes education, community involvement and social and political activism. We study the message and challenge put forth by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - to develop a society that promotes social and economic opportunity for all people- based on his book :Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

International Relations

We organize and host delegations to and from other nations, strengthening relationships through the arts, culture, business and economic exchanges. The exchanges often involve peer-to-peer interchanges; for example, lawyers from other nations come here and teach their native legal practices as they learn the laws of the U.S.

Museum/Art/Gallery/Gift Shop

Hosts and exhibits art from the Americas, as well as receiving and honoring visiting artists.

International Resource Center and Bookstore

Our bookshop offers a wide selection of literature ranging from wors by El Centro de la Raza youth to international authors. Historical and cultural information on Latin America and other countries of the world is available.

Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is the basis of a program provided through El Centro de la Raza. The course promotes education, community involvement and social and political activism. This book, as well as others, are sold in our book store.

Speakers Bureau

Schedules nationally and internationally acclaimed speakers for debates, meeting and conferences, Topics of discussion include developing countries, ethnic and racial issues, liberation, peace and justice.

The relationships and ties developed with individuals, organizations and other nations have taught us, inspired us and lifted our morale. They have shown us that we are but a small part of the entire human family and that we need to work together to promote peace and strength for ourselves and for others.

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