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Partnership Actions (PAMS) South America
Current PAMS Projects
Transdisciplinary training for young peasant leaders in agroecology, food security and sovereignty and endogenous development in the Municipalities of Charazani and Independencia of Bolivia
Duration: June 2011 to present
Executing Agencies: Agroecología Universidad Cochabamba (AGRUCO), Center for Postgraduate Studies in Ecology and Conservation of the Institute of Ecology of La Paz - UMSA
Partners: CDE
The negative effects of global change, such as climate change, are particularly visible in rural environments where agriculture is the main source of economic activity. Seeking to mitigate the harmful impacts of such change, this PAMS aims to support social learning processes that improve the socio-economic capacity of affected governments and civil society. Its approach is designed to promote mutual communication and knowledge exchange between researchers and local actors. A course will be developed to train young community leaders in sustainable endogenous development. Experts from several universities will support this course which addresses short-, mid-, and long-term issues.
Improving knowledge sharing between organic cocoa producers, their regional cooperative “PIAF-El Ceibo” and related research projects for agricultural diversification in the Yungas, Bolivia
Duration: April 2011 to present
Executing Agency: Fundación PIAF-El Ceibo
Partners: CDE
In research on diversified agroforestry systems, organic cocoa production was identified as a form of land use with very high potential for sustainability in this region of Bolivia. Despite previous coordination efforts, local cocoa producers’ participation was low. Hence, the main objective of this PAMS is development of a knowledge base within the local cocoa producers’ cooperative, with the aim of enhancing social learning processes. In this way, more than 1,500 producers may be incorporated into knowledge management concerning sustainable agroforestry practices. A pilot project about optimal tree planting will also be included, followed by a larger-scale project on the same topic. Continued research on agricultural biodiversity will complement the project.
Completed PAMS Projects
Fighting against poverty reproduction: exploring strategies with young men and women who live on informal waste gathering
Duration: January 2009 to June 2010
Executing Agency: Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Laborales - Programa de Investigaciones Económicas sobre Tecnología, Trabajo y Empleo (CEIL-PIETTE), Buenos Aires
Partners: IHEID
This PAMS aimed at improving the situation of young waste workers in Buenos Aires. In-depth interviews and group discussions showed that the lack of education among waste workers is one of the most important factors that contribute to their vulnerability. They often do not attend school because they have to work, and also because of the lack of available schools within an accessible distance. As a consequence, a programme for the completion of the secondary school was established in the Community Centre, making it easier for waste workers to attend.
Download policy brief (Spanish / PDF 983 KB)
Extractive industries and biosphere reserve management: a social learning and capacity building initiative on socio-ecological sustainability
Duration: January 2009 to April 2010
Executing Agency: Instituto del Bien Común (IBC), Lima
Partners: IHEID
Oxapampa province of Peru is rapidly moving towards establishment of a biosphere reserve, and simultaneously facing unprecedented extractive industry exploration and development activities. Research revealed a lack of preparedness of local authorities and social stakeholders to face these new dynamics. In this PAMS, social stakeholders (local authorities, associations, public health officials, and indigenous federations) were strengthened in their ability to negotiate with extracting industries. Moreover, researchers and their local partners developed tools to monitor the negative impacts of extractive industries in the biosphere context.
Formulation of proposals on management of protected areas, biodiversity and natural resources as a contribution to the constituent assembly of Bolivia
Duration: March 2007 to March 2008
Executing Agency: Agroecología Universidad Cochabamba (AGRUCO), Cochabamba
Partners: IHEID
This PAMS project took an active role in the Constituent Assembly of Bolivia. It supported indigenous communities in the formulation of proposals for the sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity and sustainable endogenous development. The PAMS offered permanent accompaniment, guidance and training for Assembly delegates. The proposals formulated by the indigenous communities were supported by scientific evidence. Most of the proposals presented to the Assembly today appear in the new constitutional text.
Support to local risk management in Bolivia
Duration: January to December 2007
Executing Agency: Fundación La Paz (FLP), La Paz;
Fundación para el Desarrollo Participativo Comunitario (FUNDEPCO), La Paz
Partners: IHEID; OXFAM
Despite the threat of natural disasters, adequate risk management policies are rare at the local level in Bolivia. This PAMS aimed at improving local risk management by including civil society actors in governance processes. Strategies for risk management were developed in six rural communities. Together with residents, workshops were organised to create “vulnerability maps” illustrating the most important threats, risks, and vulnerable areas in each community. In addition, Emergency Operation Centres and contingency plans were established for each municipality, to coordinate the efforts of local and national authorities, armed forces, firefighters, and health services in the event of an emergency. These experiences led to important insights about the social and political processes related to risk management in Bolivia.
Download Outcome Highlights (PDF / 1.27 MB)
Download policy brief (Spanish / PDF 1.52 MB)
Contact
For regional PAMS information:
Elizabeth Jimenez, Regional Coordinator, South America
For general PAMS information:
Eva Maria Heim, Coordinator of Partnership Actions
| Outcome HighlightsPolicy briefs |
