[NEW CAMPAIGN COMING SOON...]

Over 20 years ago, Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST) was born. Through continued grassroots organizing, political education and mass nonviolent action, over 350,000 landless families have won title to land – roughly one million people! These families now farm over 20 million acres of agricultural lands, ensuring their own food security as they continue to develop a sustainable socio-economic model that offers the world an alternative to today’s corporate globalization. Not to mention the MST’s contribution to reimaging rural life with access to schools, health clinics, basic infrastructure and cultural activities.

The Context

Since 2003, Brazil and the Landless Workers Movement (MST) have tirelessly awaited for the promises of land reform from the recently elected President Luis Ignacio ‘Lula’ da Silva, who historically defended Land Reform as a means towards economic development. After 3 years in power, roughly 133 million hectares, or 56% of Brazil’s arable land, remain in the hands of 1% of the landowning elite. Meanwhile, government inaction has led over 150,000 MST families to build encampments on or near unproductive estates. Another 4.8 million landless families survive without food security, unorganized and with little hope or land to cultivate. The exodus from rural to urban areas continues, while organized workers continue to face the brutal violence practiced by Brazil's rural elite – 28 rural workers were killed between January and August 2005.

The 5th National Congress of the MST

It is in this context that the MST has called for its 5th National Congress, scheduled to take place June 11th - 14th of 2007. Held every five years, the MST’s National Congress represents the MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL GATHERING of MST families and friends. The 5th National Congress of the MST will host over 20,000 people, representatives of settlements, encampments and solidarity organizations from across Brazil and abroad.

The objectives of the 5th National Congress are:

  • To promote a space for meeting and for the cultural exchange among the landless rural workers, members of the MST
  • To promote a gathering to meet with social movements and organizations in Brazil and abroad which share with the MST the objective of building more just societies
  • To debate and define actions for the next five years, in order to strengthen the organization of the landless rural workers towards achieving more dignified conditions in settlements and camps and for permanently keeping the land conquered
  • To debate the Program for Agrarian Reform for Brazil
  • To debate the need to build a Popular Project for Brazil
  • To share experiences of struggle and achievements

International Support Campaign

Historically, the Friends of the MST have launched campaigns to help support important MST events. In 2005, the Friends of the MST raised over $10,000 in support of the MST’s National March for Agrarian Reform. This year, we are committed to supporting the MST's effort to bring together over 20,000 landless workers and activists for the 5th National Congress - a space for debate, discussion, reflection and plans for action. With your support [NOTE: All donations are fully tax-deductible], the FMST has already made several significant contributions to this effort. And with your continued support, FMST intends to make another financial contribution on May 1st!
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Support the MST's 5th National Congress with a:


1) Delegate Sponsorship: $25.00
Sends one MST delegate to the National Congress

2) Collective Sponsorship: $100.00
Sends collective of delegates to the National Congress

3) Action/Reflection Sponsorship: $250.00
Provides the MST with funds for the printing of readers, workbooks and other educational materials to be used by delegates during debates/discussions at the National Congress

4) Friend of the MST Solidarity Co-Sponsorship: $500 - $5,000
Opportunity for US social movements and/or not-for-profit organizations to demonstrate their support for the MST’s National Congress

**Donors of $100.00 or more will receive a copy of the award-winning documentary, ‘Los Sin Tierra – Por Los Caminos de America’**[SEE http://www.mstbrazil.org/?q=node/84]
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This is a historical opportunity to support the MST in their struggle for a more just society. Get involved! Donate today. Write to your friends & family, informing them of this effort and asking them to contribute. Contact the FMST to host a HouseParty, film-screening, fundraiser or other solidarity event in your community. Other ideas or proposals, contact us! Contact info@mstbrazil.org.

Need help writing a fundraising letter to friends and family? Click on this link to find the FMST template! Set your own fundraising goal and contact friends, family, co-workers and other community members:http://www.mstbrazil.org/?q=mstcongresslettertofriendsfamily

MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TODAY! ALL DONATIONS ARE FULLY TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!!
Donate online at:
http://www.mstbrazil.org/?q=donate

Donate by check, cash or money order, made payable to:
FMST – Global Exchange
c/o Juan Reardon
PO Box 7307
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Let us know your donation is for the MST’s National Congress by writing the word CONGRESS on your check, money order, etc.

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