Danka Bogdanovic
July 31, 2024
Not only plants and animals, and therefore biodiversity, are threatened by forest fires. Air pollution is also a major problem. Large cities such as Santa Cruz and La Paz, as well as large rural areas, have repeatedly measured very poor air quality over the last few months. In both Santa Cruz and La Paz, the inhalation of air was so harmful at various times that face-to-face teaching at schools and universities was no longer possible. not possible was. Bolivia has been in the midst of a steadily worsening crisis for some time now. Economic crisiswhich is further exacerbated by the economic losses caused by the forest fires.
A major controversy in Bolivia is the extent to which human influence can be held responsible for the fires. The unusually severe and long dry season is an important factor. But the practice of "chaqueo" - the Starting small fires in fieldsto prepare them for a new order - has led to disaster. In the hot and dry climate, such slash-and-burn practices quickly get out of control and spread to forest areas. However, there is disagreement among the country's politicians as to whether this should really be seen as a trigger. The ruling MAS party sees its good relationship with small farmers as an important pillar of its legitimacy and is therefore very cautious with Criticism. The fact that people are reluctant to talk about the forest fires as a national disaster with complex causes and responsibilities can also be seen from the fact that it was only in September and after long protest campaigns that the national State of emergency was proclaimed.
In this politically deadlocked situation, networks of civil society organizations are trying to keep the forest fires a topic of discussion. Through protest campaigns, exhibitions, concerts and panel discussions, the main aim is to show that we humans share responsibility. Only our decisive action can lead to a reduction in fires in the coming years. The film festival for human rights Bajo Nuestra Piel (BNP) has been one of our partner organizations in Bolivia since this year. In a short-term project funded by Connexio develop, BNP is holding film screenings and discussions on the topic in both urban and rural communities. Belén Dávalos from BNP believes that looking to the future is particularly important:
"Environmental disasters like this are a reality in our country every year and are becoming increasingly serious. That is why it is essential to carry out information and awareness-raising campaigns. I believe that the Bolivian population can be mobilized and motivated through the power of cinema to demand adequate political attention to the emergency. We are also counting on the great openness of children, teenagers and young people."
Bélen therefore also sees the project as a contribution to the longer-term task of opening the eyes of Bolivian society to environmental and conservation issues. This is why BNP is not involved in the project alone, but in collaboration with a nationwide network of similarly minded organizations.
"The aim is to create an informed, aware and committed society that is committed to preserving and caring for the Bolivian Amazon."
Text and photo: Roman Gnägi, Connexio develop
Connexio develop supports the Bajo Nuestra Piel, as the aims of the festival are in line with Goal 16 of the Sustainability goals The goal is to "promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels".
The festival takes place all year round and stops in each of the six departments in Bolivia. The aim is not only to show films but also to create space for a dialog between viewers to discuss the themes and questions raised by the short, feature, documentary and fiction films.
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