“Every time I take a step, the world moves out of place” – Music of Siba and the Fuloresta
Photo: Dione Torquato, 2024
The youth training aims to strengthen grassroots organizations in the Médio Juruá, encourage youth participation in the management of the territory, and contribute to local development. The event was held by the Association of Extractive Residents of the São Raimundo Community – AMECSARA and the Médio Juruá Territory Forum, with support from the Médio Juruá Territory Program (coordinated by Sitawi) and the Juruá Institute. On December 1, 2, and 3, 2024, the third module of the training took place at the Padre Derickx Center (Bauana Base), Uacari Sustainable Development Reserve – Carauari, with the central theme “Public Policies in the Context of the Médio Juruá”.
This module included several topics addressed and worked on over the three days of the event, such as the Brazilian political situation, political mobilization, social participation, public policies, advocacy and the Brazilian political system.
In total, there were 77 participants, including young people, representatives of organizations and guest speakers. The event covered communities from the Médio Juruá RESEX, Uacari RDS, the Baixo Carauari Fishing Agreement area and indigenous lands (Kanamari de Carauari – Aldeia Taquara, Deni do Rio Xeruã and Kulina – Aldeia Matatibem), in addition to the municipalities of Itamarati and Juruá.
“The training was a door that opened. I was able to see beyond the walls. Today I see the world differently. It gave us the will to want the best, to fight and not give up. We have to hold hands and not arms, because the hands will eventually give way and let go; the arms, if held tightly, will not,” says young Eriane Figueiredo, from the Nova Esperança community, who participated in the three modules.
There were moments of reflection for the next steps for the youth, together with leaders such as Dione Torquato – Secretary General of the National Council of Extractive Populations – CNS, Vanda Witoto – Director of the Witoto Institute and indigenous rights activist, Renato Rocha – Indigenous Specialist of the Native Amazon Operation – OPAN and David Franklin da Silva Guimarães – Environmental Analyst of ICMBio/RESEX Médio Juruá. One of the highlights was the mapping of public policies that have been achieved, partially achieved and not achieved, partially or not achieved in Médio Juruá.
There was also a moment of spirituality led by Vanda Witoto and the indigenous companions from the Deni, Kanamari and Kulina ethnic groups, to reconnect with Mother Nature, who governs life, and to ask for permission and protection for the days of the event through the smoking of white pitch.
Photo: Digital Key, 2024
According to Raimundo Cunha, president of AMECSARA, one of the event’s implementing institutions, “empowering riverside and indigenous youth politically is very important for the Médio Juruá Territory.” Young people need to understand their rights, duties, the implementation of public policies and the political system. The training addresses precisely this, and is a 10-year plan that we hope to continue within our financial possibilities.”
Leadership training goes beyond a course or meeting; it is an ongoing path towards youth empowerment. “We aim to recognize the territory for its struggle and resistance in the face of adversity, promoting a close look at the present, because young people are not the future, but rather the present,” concludes Raimundo.
In the days following the event, the young people presented their demands to the Management Council of the Médio Juruá Territory and won the long-awaited spot for young people in this important space for dialogue and deliberation. For young Willian Silva, from the Roque community, the training was important in empowering and giving the youth confidence. “We now have the notion that young people are capable and have the power to occupy positions of representation,” the young man says.
The next steps in the process will be to evaluate the execution of the previous modules, define the theme of the next module together with the Fórum do Território Médio Juruá, date, location of the event, guest speakers, in addition to the financial evaluation for the next modules by the institution.
*The text was produced by AMECSARA, with support from the Juruá Institute and Sitawi.
The Middle Juruá Territory Program
Since 2017, Sitawi has been raising and managing financial contributions for the Médio Juruá Territory Program (PTMJ). It also participates in its design and programmatic implementation in partnership with grassroots organizations and local authorities (TMJ Forum, AMAB, AMARU, AMECSARA, ASMAMJ, ASPROC, ASPODEX, ACFRC and CODAEMJ).
The initiative has the Partners for the Amazon Platform (PPA), Mott Foundation, the Green Climate Fund and Natura as financing partners. It also has institutional partnerships with Alliance Biodiversity and CIAT, the Floresta+ Amazônia Project, UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA). The program brings together and supports projects led by the territory, strengthening associations through community-based social organization and supporting the local bioeconomy, in addition to actions for territorial protection, governance, female entrepreneurship and youth.
