Last fall we asked you to donate to realise the Encuentro. The gathering of environmental defenders from accross the Andes and Catapistas gave rise to Network of Territories for the Right To Say No. Catapista Truike was there to soak in the care, hope and resilience of the Defenders. Read her report below. Inspired but haven’t donated yet? It’s not too late! Click this link and fund our partners in the Andes.

In November, we embarked on an intriguing journey during the Right to Say No Andean gathering (or Encuentro del Derecho a Decir No) —an exchange week in which we united with representatives from our partner organisations. Capturing the essence of this experience is challenging, but let’s try it with these three words: care, resilience and hope. 

Care. We were together to share our experiences and to connect with each other, but also with the nature and land we defend. We gathered in Ecuador’s capital Quito and the city’s wider region where our partners Acción Ecológica and Red de jóvenes del Chocó Andino (RJCA) are protecting the area from upcoming mining projects, both big scale and small scale. Through the huge Quito Sin Minería campaign they pushed the government to hold a referendum on the future of mining in the area. The referendum was successful and ensured that the nature reserve ‘Chocó Andino’ is saved from future extractive projects. We visited the reserve, talked to the people that envisioned an alternative future for their territory, felt their energy and pride for the land they defended. We visited some of their projects on ecotourism and sustainable farming, which offer a sustainable future for the Chocó Andino, unlike extractivism and its environmental decay. It’s a beautiful place, its variety of flora and fauna, the social fabric, the communities, culture and social history all reinforced the significance of preserving this land. It were their direct actions and events that made people aware of the impacts of mining and made them show up for the referendum. Through the land we also connected with each other, we listened to each other’s stories, shared each other’s pains and victories. We gave advice and learned from each other. We felt an enormous amount of mutual care and support. 

Resilience. A few Catapistas were taking part in the Encuentro, with others we were connected via exchange activities through the movement weekend that took place at the same time. The other participants of the gathering in Ecuador represented different communities and movements from Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. Each of these activists’ stories was moving. Some are already for decades striving for justice after mining disasters took places that destroyed whole regions or they are fighting against mining projects that are contaminating the area for ages and therefore need to go against an embedded culture and economy based on the existence of mining. Others are mobilising and are setting up big campaigns because mining companies are exploring the wider region, still untouched by extractivism and contamination. Some are taking up the role as social leaders of their communities or frontline defenders and are therefore facing death threats and repression. Others take up supporting roles in bigger environmental organisations and movements that unite different communities through bigger campaigns or provide legal support to the frontline defenders. Different realities, but there’s one common thread in their stories: their relentless resistance against large-scale mining activities threatening their surroundings. People who continue to fight for justice at the risk of their lives because the stakes are even higher if they don’t. Stories of strength and resilience in the face of big, powerful and manipulative multinationals. Their strength arises from a deep love for their communities and territories, transcending the fear of consequences in their pursuit of protecting what they hold dear. 

Hope. Together, we envisioned the future, strategized on how to collaborate more and stand stronger in protecting our lands, our shared planet. Hope prevails, even when the opposition is big and powerful. The seeds of a new network were planted: la Red de los territorios por el derecho a decir no (Network of Territories for the Right To Say No). Stay tuned for more news about this initiative. Energized and armed with renewed determination, we left with a collective commitment to make the world more just. A world free from the destruction of mining, where community and land get a central place again. As we return to our movements and communities, we share our newfound knowledge, spreading the catalyzing effect of the Encuentro – a source of hope and renewed power towards positive change. 

Thank you to every participant for contributing to this journey and to those whose donations made the exchange possible.

Want to get yet another look at the Encuentro? Read Connor’s report here.