Nicaragua

Reflect has a relatively long history in Nicaragua, and is used by diverse organisations throughout the country. In Tipitapa, through Handicap International, the Reflect process has evolved to a point where there are a number of small collectives emerging to respond to the diverse issues raised, and in Boaco ASPRODIC has found Reflect so effective that there are now no more people who define themselves as illiterate and there has been a positive impact on power relations with the communities. Cuculmeca work with Reflect in Jinotega. In Matagalpa, Grupo Venancia have integrated many elements of Reflect into their work on gender and power relations and hosted and co-facilitated an international workshop on Gender and Reflect in 1997 and AVODEC are now developing a pilot scheme in Jinotega with women from three communities. Cuculmeca

Networks: The Nicaragua Reflect-Action network was formed in early 2000 after various attempts to capture the diversity and growth of Reflect-Action in the country. The network aims to reinforce institutional capacity building and participatory processes, to work with local networks to enrich their practices and link local, national and international resources. The network is coordinated by four institutions: ADVODEC, Xochiquetzal, Grupo Venancia, Handicap International, Cuculmeca and Asprodic, each linked to other organisations, and two further organisations are in the process of joining. Locations for the monthly meetings are rotating, allowing participants to be exposed to each other's work, and the network enjoys high levels of autonomy and have established their own dynamic of coordination and communication.