Date of Workshop: October 27 - 29, 2017

Workshop Coordinator: Julia Quaedvlieg

Madre de Dios, a biologically and culturally diverse region in Peru, is home to more than 30 Indigenous communities, with many residents relying heavily on forests and forest resources for their livelihoods. This region, one of the most isolated in the country, is experiencing rapid change due to the influx of people seeking economic opportunities in gold mining. The immigration surge has altered landscapes and communities, leading to a loss of connection between young people and their forest homes as they migrate to urban areas in search of education and employment. With the future of these communities at stake, there is a pressing need to engage youth in shaping the path forward.

In November 2017, a Youth Visioning Workshop was held in Madre de Dios, coordinated by Julia Quaedvlieg. The event brought together youth from over ten communities to discuss their aspirations and the future of the region. Among the participants were Indigenous youth from the Organizacion de Jovenes Indigenas Madre de Dios (OJEIMAD), students from COAR school, and members of the RONAP Brazil nut harvesters (castañero) association. Communities represented included Palma Real Native Community, Alegría, Triunfo, Alerta, Boca Inambari, Iberia, Santa Rosa de Huacaria Native Community, Laberinto, Diamante Native Community, and Puerto Maldonado city and its suburbs.

During the workshop, participants voiced their deep connection to the forest. One youth shared, “Forest(s) represent life; they provide us with food even without having money or technology.” Another emphasized the importance of sustainable development, saying, “My dream is to finish my studies and go back to my community to help my people with tourism. I want to start by preparing forest management plans, so there is no illegal logging.”

The workshop also produced a video that documented the experience and highlighted the youth’s vision for their future and the future of Madre de Dios.