Back to home page - Next page WHO WE ARE The Link was established in 1986 following the popular overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua which had ruled the country for 30 years. The aim of the Link is to provide friendship and encouragement to a country trying to build up democratic forms of government. The Link is a voluntary membership based body open to individuals and organisations. It is democratic and meetings are held each month at City Hall in Norwich. An important development in 1999 was the decision by Norwich City Council to add El Viejo to the existing list of formal civic twinnings, with Rouen in France, Koblenz in Germany, and Novi Sad in Serbia. The Link is recognised as the official organisation for the operation of the civic twinning with El Viejo. The Link is affiliated to the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, the national organisation linked to Nicaragua. WHAT WE DO The activities that the Link undertakes are set out in the objects contained in the Link's constitution. They are; To encourage the establishment of contact between individuals and groups in Norwich and Norfolk and El Viejo, Nicaragua. In collaboration with the Municipal Council of El Viejo, and other partner organisations in El Viejo as appropriate, encourage and promote the provision of material, practical and financial support for projects in El Viejo with particular reference to; the advancement of education, including access to education; public health, including projects relating to water supply, drainage and housing, and support for general health provision; The alleviation of poverty. Improving awareness of the situation in Nicaragua in general, and El Viejo in particular, by providing information to members, schools, press and broadcasting media and other organisations in Norfolk and Norwich.