As part of the Mesoamerican Convergence on Sustainable Development and Permaculture, participants were grouped together and asked to reflect on the Mesoamerican reality in relation to various factors. The following represents what the groups came up with during these workshops as translated from Spanish.

Analysis of the Mesoamerican Reality

1. In the Mesoamerican region the society is being governed by politics that serve neo-liberal interests, resulting in socio-economic disequilibrium, with around 70% of the population below the poverty line, without access to basic living services, health care, education, etc. and a dignified way of life. As consequence to these factors, there are high levels of migration, the sale or abandonment of lands, loss of cultural values and identity, and violence. In counterpoint to this, there is an accelerated concentration of wealth and power in small groups.

2. We consider that democracy in the Mesoamerican region is reduced to a permanent electoral practice, in which the true problems of the people are left out of the agendas of the political parties, and prohibit real participation in decision-making. High levels of corruption characterize governments.

3. Natural resources in the region are being progressively deteriorated, and are characterized by: deforestation, water and soil contamination, deteriorated watersheds, forest fires, species extinction, loss of our native biological plasmas, an increasingly higher presence of transnationals exploiting natural resources, displacement of communities in the management of protected areas etc…

4. Because of its geographic location and the increase in climate change, conditions for the occurrences of natural disasters are present in the Mesoamerican region. This situation, in combination with community’s vulnerable infrastructures, results in recurrent disasters that cause severe damage and deteriorate social, environmental, and economic conditions.

1. Describe your understanding of sustainable development and permaculture in light of climate change:

- It is the development of strategies and actions that take into account all forms of life, based in human, cultural, and moral principles, in which permaculture is an alternative means in order to think critically about applying integrated actions in the reality of each moment and at all levels of society.

- Sustainable development is the complete satisfaction of all of the necessities of the people, through permaculture, community organization, and political action.

- We consider that in actuality sustainable development and permaculture aren’t enforced in our societies. As a consequence of climate change, we are very vulnerable. The changes in climate result from a lack of sustainable development, and are created by development that breaks the harmonious relationship between human life and the natural world. Sustainability cannot exist without taking into account the natural processes nature teaches us. Permaculture presents an option because it reproduces these natural processes in agriculture. Nevertheless, to impact the phenomenon of large natural disasters, that are brought about by climate change, it is necessary to consider other factors and interests that are in the hands of the industrialized countries. It is our duty to fight for systemic change so that we can actually live a more just life.

- It is a process of changes that thinks towards the future with a design taking into account the enrichment and continuation of all of the dynamic species including flora, fauna, and humans. Through adequate analysis and respect of customs it imitates nature.

- Primordially, sustainable development secures basic elements (water, food, diversity, appropriate shelter, clean air, renewable energy, fertile land, and education to secure the future of coming generations) for the survival of the chain of life. Changes made respect the consequences for the next seven generations.


2. What would be a model of sustainable development for our Mesoamerican reality?

- A model that allows us to put in place actions that function in common with each of our realities, facilitating democratic processes at every level, guaranteeing the recuperation of our origins, and with the condition that processes benefit and integrate the most vulnerable (struggles of the people).

- The model of development would be for pueblos that are autonomous, productive, conservationists of their natural resources, and defenders of their regional biodiversity. It would be for pueblos that are participatory, integrated with respect for cultural identity, and partaking in local, national, and regional organization. It would utilize appropriate technology that doesn’t break the equilibrium or affect the environment’s resources.

- A regionally egalitarian and unified model in which resources would be respected and distributed in a just manner. A model in which the pueblos decide their culture, form of education and government, with sound nourishment, produced in harmony with nature.

- Efficient use of natural resources like air, light, and water. Efficient use of the land and native species. Diversification of crops. Learning to produce that which we consume. The design of a plan of reforestation, protection, and adequate use of natural resources.

- Initiatives should be designed in the form of ecologically integrated systems. These systems should provide their own necessities and return their own inversions during the period of their existence.

Change should be based in ecological principles:

1. water catchment
2. ecological homes
3. tree planting
4. creation of seed biodiversity
5. construction of spaces for the community