Encounter the Spirit of God within the struggle for social justice in Latin America.

Experience some of the social, political, economic, religious and cultural realities of Mexico  through direct encounters with the people.

Make a ‘preferential option for the poor’ by giving priority to the voices and experiences of the poor, indigenous and other marginalized people.

Encounter the prophetic dimensions of diverse local communities of faith and hope.

Name and challenge practices that support inequality in matters of gender, race, class, sexuality, economics and ecology.

Analyze the unjust relationships that exist between the North and the South.

Understand the negative impact of U.S. and Canadian foreign policies and businesses.

Move beyond individualistic behavior; experience and recognize the values of community.

Become empowered to work for social transformation on a personal and collective level.

OUR HISTORY

In May of 1977, the Cuernavaca Center for Intercultural Dialogue on Development welcomed its first group: students from the Divinity School at Duke University in North Carolina. Since then CCIDD has received more than 500 religious, social justice, academic and professional groups from Canadian and U.S. colleges, universities, high schools, churches and non-governmental organizations. From direct encounters with Mexicans and other Latinos in their communities, homes and places of work and worship, some 10,000 people from the United States and Canada have learned about the roots of poverty and oppression in Latin America and Christian commitment to social transformation. CCIDD was founded by Ray Plankey, a lay missioner from the United States who had previously worked in Chile. He and others created CCIDD to “promote experiential understanding of rural and urban poverty in Latin America and the Christian struggle to transform society.” With encouragement and support from Cuernavaca’s progressive and ecumenically-minded Catholic Bishop Sergio Mendez Arceo, and leaders from other churches, CCIDD embarked upon its mission. From humble beginnings in rented hotel rooms, CCIDD moved to its present location in 1981 and expanded the site in 1985.