Lotta Topp In Bondage

hydropower vs. Manpower

¡Buenas tardes!

And again, entry into a topic that is not so "light fare". I received an email with a few comments and I think that the articles can also be quiet something more serious, because ultimately this should indeed be the core of my developing country experience.

The International Day for the protection of rivers. This was on a river in Veraguas, the Rio Cobre, a day of action planned. A young woman who is already known in large parts of the country for their commitment to the rights of indigenous and rural people, organized on their property a small triumph ceremony that will be built in the adjacent river water power plant.
The event was enriched by stakeholders from across the region, have addressed the inspiring words or achievements of the gathering. Many people with the help of people like Larisa, the young lady on the assert image, their interests.

Larisa (left) at the opening of the event

An indigenous guest speaker in Nagua Dress

The subject of water power plants ( hidroelectricas ) is here in Panama, as in other parts of the world is a very controversial issue. On the website of Action Internationalrivers.org actions World presence and actions reported a small film shows just what exactly is being done. So far I have only met in a village in the directly affected people and heard their views. In CEPAS I have made myself wise among the employees who work with people in villages together. CEPAS is an avowed opponent of Hidroelectricas , therefore, is struggling to see the interests of a small minority. In the village of Los Pilones of which I had reported sweating, is one of the most controversial works are built. The people here protesting against the relocation, because the big companies offering them poor or even no compensation and that only verbally. If it now is is concerned, the seven families to relocate, which had nothing in their hands when they leave then really the area. They also argue that they lack large crops if they live in other parts of the country. From CEPAS is said also that people from the countryside, especially the indigenous people are not prepared to live in the city - especially since many of them were not even there.

"Our rivers, our land, our rights - no, the dam"

Even the people at the rally today were of this opinion. You want to continue to sell their rivers, since they say that they have so Zuganz no more water and that water is dirty. If you now to a German hydropower think that across the country are found, it is natural to why the resistance is so great. In Germany, this system works the "clean" Engergie excellent! And for us it sounds absurd that the water is 'contaminated'. The consequences of the dams in Germany had been positive. Especially tourism and infrastructure are a strong plus.

All are about to demonstrate for their rights.

Then you have to remember, however, that we are in a developing country ... This is unfortunately not all perfect. The companies use corrupt officials or the naivety of the country people who simply know the value of one hectare of land and not be satisfied even with $ 20 instead of $ 1,000 are. In Santiago, we see there every day, such as factories derive its really strong smelling sewage on the street and then into the nearest stream.
However, one can not in my opinion, fail to recognize the economic potential. People have in most cases, no electricity and the connection to a road which links to the necessary care and school is missing in large parts, or is in very poor condition. With a Krafwerk might find this infrastructure, as well as jobs.
Another concern is that the current Panama do not benefit, but is fed into the Central American power grid and only the companies take their profits from it. For this reason and also from the above, it is true that we are all not to be as easy.

Yes, that's me, the cry of "¡ Ríos para la vida! " (Rivers for Life)

All participants have formed a queue of people - and the traffic is passed in front of and behind us!

However, one should not reject the principles on the principle of this project. In an interview, the German Ambassador Mr. Gray mentioned that the EU has made considerable funds for these types of projects (approximately € 15 million) and that this guarantees a good solution would be incompatible.
However, one would have to negotiate this with the industrial sense. And that takes time, negotiation skills and the best knowledge of the law. To the poor to help people from the land it would need to provide assistance. For now 80 projects which are planned in Panama, the negotiations are a lot - but is not without it!

documentation for CEPAS

The event I attended with fun and here and there helped. For CEPAS I filmed and pictures taken. In Cantadera Gesag and guitar music was sung properly on the subject - this kind of music is from the rural people, the campesinos often used for general topics. My videos will come in the next few days on the Internet. improvise

La guitarra

everywhere ... Here with a tape-recorder

The well-known Panamanian singer María Cantadera had come to support

Tomorrow morning we are invited to a radio interview to talk about their experiences. Since the radio station Radio Veraguas in our building of CEPAS is, we are not far and the presenter, we already know well.

As I sit at the radio show " Aprendamos " (Let us learn!)

The links to films from the event come here in the next few days. Until now only one on Youtube, one of the guest speakers to talk himself into a rage - but until now only in English ...

So happy to write comments - even about the look of the blog, where I've screwed something. :)

¡Hasta luego

!

your Niklas