VII Festival "Madre Fértil Tierra Nuestra"  ~  "Fertile Mother Our Earth"

Agua Dulce
Dulce Esperanza

 
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En el ‘Año Internacional del Agua” - JUNIO 2003
   

 
 
Festival Information 
 

Introduction

As known, the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development - UNCED - held in Rio de Janeiro in June of 1992, gathered over 120 heads of States, official representatives from 172 Governments, as well as thousands of members of NGO's and the mass media. This large event, also known as the Earth Summit, "offered a unique opportunity to establish the basis for the major shift required to put this planet on the path towards a more secure and sustainable future. At the core of this shift is the need for fundamental change. Of particular importance is the need to integrate the ecological dimension into education and culture as well as in economics." (Maurice Strong, Secretary General to the UNCED). 

One of the major Earth Summit achievements was the Agenda 21, which constitutes the most comprehensive and far reaching programme of action ever approved by the world community in order to have a blueprint for global principles, rights, responsibilities and actions to affect the transition to sustainable development. 

Chapter 36 of the Agenda 21 urges to promote education, the raise of public awareness and training, as a critical way for achieving environmental and ethical attitudes, values, skills and behaviour consistent with sustainable development and for effective public participation in decision-making. One of the objectives of this Chapter is "to achieve environmental and development in all sectors of the society on a worldwide scale as soon as possible". The need for environmental and development education, linked to social education, has to be achieved and promoted from primary school age through adulthood.  

"Agenda 21 tells us what our governments have agreed; it is a wish list, a dream; we can make it reality" (A Kids Guide to Agenda 21). 
 

"Madre Fértil Tierra Nuestra" FESTIVAL

In order to achieve these aims, new actions for an integrated management of the environmental and social problems such as poverty, hunger, illiteracy and the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend for our well-being, have been addressed to prepare the world for the challenges of our new century. "Integration of environment and development concerns and greater attention to them, will lead to the fulfilment of basic needs, improved living standards for all, better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer more prosperous future. No nation can achieve this on its own; but together we can - in a global partnership for sustainable development." (Agenda 21, Chapter 1, 1.1) 

But… how to get people involved locally facing this great challenge? By establishing community-based mechanisms for popular participation with the assistance of and in cooperation with appropriate international, national, governmental, non-governmental and local organizations together with the private sector, to promote sustainable development. 

In this sense, Culture offers an appropriate means to further environmental awareness with an ethics that can guide the change of attitude on unsustainable practices in the Mesoamerican isthmus. 

"The daily efforts of each one of us, is important. What matters is the voice of your heart. If you are a writer, write with great passion; if you are a painter, paint with great passion; if you are an environmentalist, defend Nature with all your heart. This is your invitation to help". (A Children's Edition of Agenda 21) 


Background

In sustainable development, everyone is a user and provider of information. That includes data, information, experience and knowledge. The need for information arises at all levels. Both, public and private sectors should encourage and support innovative actions to promote sustainable development and effective public outreach. 

"Countries and the United Nations system should promote a cooperative relationship with the media, popular theatre groups, entertainment and advertising industries to mobilize their experience in shaping public behaviour and consumption patterns. Such cooperation would also increase the active public participation in the debate of the environment." (Agenda 21, Chapter 36, 36.10 b) 
 

Overall Aim

To support and contribute with an innovative multidisciplinary approach, to the worldwide, Central American and nationwide policies agreed at the Rio's Earth Summit for conservation and sustainable human progress. 


Specific Objectives

1. To introduce an environmental scope in the Central American cultural heritage integrating arts and ethical values with modern communication methods and folk media. 

2. To create cultural and artistic venues on a regular basis for the ecological-orientated programmes of various population groups in Central America - in particular, women, youth, elderly, indigenous communities and children -. 

3. To promote popular participation in the annual Festival "MADRE FERTIL TIERRA NUESTRA" ("FERTILE MOTHER OUR EARTH") to be held in June. This Festival was founded in 1997 in Costa Rica and has already achieved national and international recognition. 


Activities 

1. Invitation to Central American artists and from other nationalities, to participate in the Festival, which main theme is: "Our Natural Environment". It has been specially created for plastic arts, music, dance, theatre, photography, film and video presentations. 

2. Information to the general public about parallel activities programmed for the Festival such as environmental-related seminars, workshops, lectures, competitions, and special exhibits to educate and entertain. 

3. Coordination with local institutions such as ministries, schools, universities, cultural centres, local media, Ngo's, etc. The active involvement of national and international organisations and the private sector supporting this initiative is vital for the success of the Festival. 

4. Joint celebration of the "International Month for the Environment". 

5. Production of promotional and educational materials as a result of the Festival (posters, CD's, souvenirs, catalogues, etc). 


Strategy 

Based on the experience gained over the last three "MADRE FERTIL TIERRA NUESTRA" Festivals, it is here proposed to expand the local concept into a more regional outreach. In this way, it is possible to meet the above premises. It is desired to have this initiative approved and declared as a "Project of Regional Interest" by the Central American Integration Secretary (SICA) of the Environment and Development Central American Commission. 

In order to achieve the expressed goals, it is necessary to have total support locally and submit the present proposal to any potential sponsor. It is important to also develop a compelling mechanism for establishing appropriate long-term relationships with national and international organisations interested in understanding and preserving the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Neotropics 


Preliminary Honorary Board 

Claudio Lauria, Director Gavá Intl. Environmental Film and Video Festival (Spain)
Amy Hetzler, Director, Missoula International Wildlife Film Festival (USA)
Rolf Johnson, Paleontologist and filmmaker Milwaukee Public Museum (USA)
Mark Plotkin, Ethno-botanist and writer (USA) 
Lilliana Madrigal, Executive Director Amazon Conservation Team (Costa Rica) 
Carlos Mejía Godoy, composer/singer Fundación Mejía Godoy (Nicaragua)
Gisela Alonso, Director General Agency for the Environment (Cuba)
Barry Paine, BBC presenter/narrator and writer (England)
Neil Harraway, Executive Producer FOX-Natural History Unit (New Zealand) 


Preliminary Executive Committee 

Elda Brizuela, Producer, EB Films (Costa Rica)
Ana Cristina Rossi, Environmental writer (Costa Rica)
Manuel Obregón, composer/pianist (Costa Rica)
Jean Pierre Knockaert, President Landscape Foundation (Belgium) 


Festival Executive Director 

Nydia Rodríguez, Environmental Communication Consultant (Costa Rica) 


Festival Organizer

Isla Chora