The Reventazón Model Forest (FMR) in Costa Rica: a sustainable development project based on dialogue and inclusion

The Reventazón Model Forest (FMR), is a social platform set up to promote sustainable management of the territory of the province of Cartago in Costa Rica. It encourages the development of local participatory networks for the promotion of conservation, education and local development actions that contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources.

“Are you going to leave again? ". This is what I have heard for almost 10 years with each announcement of a departure to a country in the South. At the time, I had begun reading Landsberg's writings. ^[1]A German Jew converted to Christianity, professor of philosophy, he left Germany in 1933. Anti-Nazi activist, teaching in Spain until the start of the civil war, he… Continue reading One of his texts, Reflections on personal commitment, notably made the link between values and personal commitment: “Formula of my happiness: a great wealth of experiences ordered in such a way that nothing is denied, nor anything equalized”. ^[2]Landsberg Paul-Louis. Reflections on personal commitment. In: Twentieth Century. History review. No. 60, October-December 1998. pp. 118-123. I saw there a call to discover elsewhere and the other. Thus followed years of volunteering in Latin America. Continuing from previous years, in April 2012 I looked at all the websites dedicated to volunteering to be able to go away during the summer holidays. One announcement particularly caught my attention. This was proposed by the BIJ ^[3]For more information see www.lebij.be (Bureau International Jeunesse) in partnership with LOJIQ (Les Offices Jeunesse Internationaux du Québec) as part of a “Duetto” program and concerned the participation of a Belgian volunteer as well as a Quebec volunteer ( e) a socio-environmental project in Costa Rica. After being selected, I flew to Central America. For almost three and a half months I worked in the FMR office ^[4]The FMR office is located at the Tropical Agronomic Center for Investigation and Education (CATIE) in Turrialba, Cartago province. in permanent coordination with the various partners in the project. Part of my work resulted in the production of an explanatory brochure on the FMR, the design of a web page and a guide on land conservation processes. To do this, I had to participate in numerous activities and other events in order to gather information. My mission was also to facilitate communication between the associates of the FMR in order to contribute to the achievement of the objectives: I had to ensure that I facilitated dialogue between the members of the project and the indigenous communities present in the province of Cartago. . ^[5]With an area of 3,125 km2, it is one of the 7 provinces of Costa Rica. The Reventazón Model Forest in Costa Rica The Reventazón Model Forest (FMR) ^[6]The FMR is made up of a collective formed by several governmental, non-governmental and private organizations. The sources of funding for the FMR are mainly donations… Continue reading , is a social platform set up to promote sustainable management of the territory of the province of Cartago in Costa Rica. It encourages the development of local participatory networks for the promotion of conservation, education and local development actions that contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources. The FMR aims to help communities explore economic opportunities while maintaining a balance between social and economic values. The FMR offers territorial management ^[7]The Reventazón Model Forest has also demonstrated that land use planning has enabled better management of environmental services. intended to support sustainable development by effectively using all resources and human capital through the implementation of integrated strategic plans. The report entitled “Millennium Ecosystem Assessment” ^[8]The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was initiated in 2000 at the request of Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the United Nations. As indicated by his name, … Continue reading concludes that in the last 50 years, humans have transformed ecosystems more rapidly than in any other period in human history and that as a result, ecosystem degradation could worsen significantly during the first half of this century. The document highlights the need for change at the institutional and environmental governance levels in order to create the conditions for effective ecosystem management. It also refers to the exclusion of local actors in decision-making processes as a significant source of conflict. ^[9]Conflict management inherently requires the involvement of various actors including those who often disagree. The FMR thus provides an effective platform to improve the… Continue reading Following this logic, the FMR presents itself as a process in which a diversity of actors work together and share a common vision of sustainable development. It thus makes it possible to confront different interests and to distinguish future challenges in accordance with local particularities. The creation of alliances being the key to this process: Government, civil organizations, indigenous groups, NGOs, private companies, scientific institutions, in short, any organization that has an interest in issues related to sustainable development can integrate into the forum of consultation with a view to defining a consensual strategic plan. Indigenous participation: essential Indigenous participants bring a unique understanding of the forest ecosystem, an understanding that they have been able to develop after centuries of privileged contact with the land. With traditional forestry experience, indigenous people have more than their place in the decision-making processes of territorial management. The FMR platform offers a space to speak to people generally excluded from the decision-making process. Everyone has an “equal voice” around the table. The common vision of sustainable development of their territory was built taking into account the history, culture and knowledge of the indigenous people. In fact, other members of the FMR recognize that, without the participation of indigenous people, the implementation of programs and other development projects would probably not be realized. The exchange of knowledge and expertise thus strengthens the viability of the project. Dialogue: the key to success The project is intended to be ambitious but achievable; therefore, as many elements as possible must come into play when developing the strategic plan. The FMR is developing numerous projects. Some of them concern reforestation, land use. With the help of scientists, techniques are being studied to combine socio-economic development and sustainable use of natural resources. On paper, the intention is perfectly laudable, but when two cultures, two "techniques", one traditional, the other modern, meet, if there is no dialogue, the project is doomed to failure. 'failure. The first stage of these projects is therefore, above all, that of dialogue. Since indigenous communities are directly affected by these programs, it is not enough to impose your idea under the sole pretext of positive repercussions. If communities do not understand the project, they will not integrate it. If they cannot participate in the process, and therefore contribute their knowledge, explain their fears, a gap will widen between the two parties, undoubtedly generating a conflict and most certainly nipping the project in the bud. In this logic, I was led to meet several of these communities. At first shy and sometimes embarrassed not to understand what they were saying to me (because of the accent), I quickly felt at ease. And for good reason, while they taught me words and expressions, I spoke to them about my country, its customs. A relationship of trust was naturally established. This was based on exchange, equality, curiosity. It was therefore without difficulty that I was able to bring up the subject: a reforestation project. While the scientific participants feared distrust from the communities, they were quick to give me their opinions and recommendations which were taken into account, and which proved very useful to the smooth running of the project. The FMR places great emphasis on the exchange of knowledge. It also encourages the arrival of volunteers and students from all over the world. When several people meet and share their experience, their vision of things, a whole process of personal and general enrichment takes place. Ideas are confronted, compromises emerge and this is how innovation takes shape. At the end of this volunteering, my idea about sustainable development was reinforced through valuable conversations. Together for a fairer society: the “win-win” of voluntary commitment The volunteer is considered a person offering their time and skills in the service of the most deprived. However, we must not forget to specify the reasons for our commitment and the benefits we will derive from it. Indeed, commitment cannot be entirely devoid of any personal interest. This does not mean that personal and general interests must be opposed, on the contrary. And, it is very reassuring to know that not everything in this world can necessarily be exchanged for money. As Landsberg clarified, “The historical character of our life demands commitment as a condition of humanization” ^[10]Landsberg Paul-Louis. Reflections on personal commitment. In: Twentieth Century. History review. No. 60, October-December 1998. p118. : whatever the reason for which the volunteer gets involved, it is linked to his values, his humanity. In return for their commitment, the volunteer gains personal enrichment. We are part of a multicultural society, we are in constant contact with people from different cultures. However, the key to a fairer society is the exchange between all these particularities, leading to understanding of others, to sharing with others. Reaching out to others It is through dialogue and taking others into account that we can hope to build a more united society. And whether it is personal or general interest, the process is the same: avoiding conflict through the integration of everyone involved. It is imperative, in view of today's society, to add our stone to the building of social justice. Our society is more and more centered on itself and the fear of others feeds more human beings every day. Reach out to others, forget our fears, understand that alone we will not build anything. Get informed, get involved, travel. So many verbs for the same word: sharing. Volunteering, a vector of change in the South… Volunteering allowed me to establish myself more easily in local life, thus promoting intercultural exchange and dialogue. In fact, I made the choice to live with the locals. Proximity put me in direct contact with people in their daily lives. The volunteer status also aroused enthusiasm for me. The idea of a young European graduate coming to work for free in a country other than her own aroused curiosity, and therefore, dialogue. Proximity also played an important role in the trust my neighbors placed in me. Also, I was able to quickly integrate the problems that the population was facing, which helped me a lot in formulating local needs and the conditions for social change when it came to establishing an action plan with the various participants in the project. Volunteering is therefore itself reinforced by the links created between people, implying trust, solidarity and reciprocity. …and to the North! Volunteering also has repercussions in the North. Indeed, in addition to new skills acquired and enriched experience, it allows us to question certain of our practices, our modes of development, our relationship with others. Volunteers also have a role to play in raising awareness of international issues: sharing their experience with those around them is a first step. Choosing to volunteer in a country in the South is an option, but the commitment is not limited to that and the trip does not necessarily result in a plane ticket in hand. You can read, watch documentaries, participate in events, debates, volunteer in Belgian organizations, youth centers, youth movements, etc. Whatever the initiative, small, ambitious, personal and collective, it is strengthened by adding to the others. The path towards a united society sharing common values is taking shape slowly and is fraught with pitfalls, but what is certain is that it is achievable... provided we build it together. Volunteering as a driver of development Volunteering is useful, it offers the possibility of participating in development and allows civic action at all levels of society. Drawing on the particularities and skills of each person, volunteering strengthens the capacities of different partners and stimulates the search for lasting solutions, thus increasing the chances of conflict resolution. Sarah Fortuna

Attachments