Teams of church reps from Europe, Latin America and Africa will pay solidarity visits to church and civil society movements in Uruguay, Bolivia and the Democratic Republic of Congo from 9 to 16 July.

Seven men have been arrested over the alleged rape of 60 women or girls from Bolivia's Mennonite community. Up to 40,000 Mennonites live as farmers in Paraguay and Bolivia.

Bolivia has a very troubled history, which until 1982, was characterised by many coups and counter-coups. The controversial policies of President Evo Morales, elected with an almost unprecedented majority of votes, have exacerbated tensions between different ethnic groups. He faces massive challenges with regard to poverty, civil unrest and illegal drug production and exportation.

In an unusual diplomatic move, Methodist Bishop Eugenio Poma, an indigenous Aymara Indian from Bolivia, has become his country's ambassador to Denmark. Poma also used to work for the World Council of Churches.

Poor people in mineral-rich developing countries are missing out on the benefits of higher commodity prices while large transnational oil and mining corporations make record profits, a new report says.

A Bolivian NGO backed by church and other development groups has almost totally eradicated death-in-childbirth and significantly diminished infant mortality in one of the poorest regions of the country.

A Bolivian NGO backed by church and other development groups has almost totally eradicated death-in-childbirth and significantly diminished infant mortality in one of the poorest regions of the country.

The overwhelming victory of Evo Morales, the radical indigenous leader, in Bolivia's recent presidential election has been warmly welcomed by partners of Christian Aid, the UK-based international development agency supported by many of Britain's leading denominations.

A popular coalition built around indigenous Indians, power workers, peasants and civil movements - including trade unions and radical Catholics - has erupted against years of poverty and inequality in one of Latin America's poorest countries.