Stories about Conversations for a Better World from November, 2009
Ecuador: Kichwa Women Oppose Oil Exploration on Native Lands
It is a popular saying in Latin America that women always get what they want. For 20 years, fearless women from the Kichwa community, an indigenous group in Ecuador, have been resisting against oil companies’ presence on their lands.
Papua New Guinea: Ursula Rakova Leads Relocation Efforts
Activist Ursula Rakova has been leading efforts to relocate the residents from the Cataret Islands in Papua New Guinea, where it is estimated that by 2015 all of the islands will be completely submerged because of climate change.
Nicaragua: Farmers express thoughts on Rural Development through video
The Alzar las Voces (Raise the Voices) project in Nicaragua brings farmers in rural communities the possibility to speak out through video telling of their concerns, their projects, their wishes and ideas.
Morocco: Aicha Ech Chenna Wins Opus Prize
In Morocco, women who get pregnant out of wedlock are often shunned from their communities. Activist and social worker Aicha Ech Chenna has been working for almost 25 years to help such mothers and their children. Now, her efforts are being rewarded.
India: Women Farmers Stand Against Climate Change
A group of women in India have demonstrated that despite the existing gender inequity and their low economic status, they can become a powerful resource to tackle climate change and reduce the emissions that cause it.
Latin America: The Rapid Spread of Desertification
Desertification is silently but rapidly spreading around the world and Latin America is not escaping its devastating effects. While deserts are natural formations, desertification is a process of degradation of lands affected by climate change and human destruction.
Bolivia: Water Shortages Due to Melting Glaciers
The disappearance of glaciers in the Bolivian Andes Mountains is causing a concern because the future water shortages will affect the availability of suitable drinking water for a vulnerable migrant population.