Promotion of innovative approaches for the protection of biological and cultural diversity – Peru and Bolivia
Problem analysis
Peru and Bolivia are countries known by their rich and diverse natural resources. Due to the effects of climate change as well as pollution and the degradation of the environment, in recent years the biodiversity of both countries has been suffering.
A few legislative tools to promote environmental protection have been approved in those Andean countries, although the main difficulty remains their implementation.
Project/practice formulation
The project was conceptualised as an effort to improve some of the most urgent issues related to the promotion of the right of the child to a healthy environment and the protection of the environment. Among other emerging issues are water conservation, the protection of biodiversity as well as environmental education.
For that reason, the primary objective of the project is to improve children's capacity to adapt to climate change and contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 13, 15), the ecological rights of children and the right to intercultural education.
The main target group of this project was composed of 10.417 children aged 6-18 but also 4.068 young people and adults aged over 18 years old. Other target groups were extended communities and family groups. From a geographical standpoint, the project was focused on both rural and urban areas in 8 regions of Peru (5) and Bolivia (3).
Implementation
Children and young people involved in this project focused on the protection of biodiversity and promotion of educational activities. The project further contributed to the improvement of eco-agriculture practices as well as the protection of water sources, including rivers and clear water springs.
Through the collaboration with different actors including policy makers, the project contributed to the development of new policies and laws aimed at the protection of the environment.
To give an example, one outstanding result was the formal protection of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, recognised as a subject of rights, via the Senate’s Declaration N° 471/2020-2021 and the Chamber of Deputies’ Declaration N°004/2020-2021.
A number of strategies including the creation of modules on good practices related to environmental protection were created to be integrated into schools’ curricula. The project also focused on the training of educators and teachers on issues related to the importance of biodiversity, water resources protection and environmental conservation.
This project is also remarkable for its focus on intercultural education. Educational activities related to the environment also comprised ancient and traditional practices including music and the importance of ancestral knowledge. Some initiatives were specifically aimed at water protection and included various members of the larger communities.
Results / M&E
The objectives of the project were modified due to the unexpected start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, the areas of primary concern shifted and were later focused on emergency measures in the areas of sanitation, education, and vegetable production. Despite these challenges, the project delivered excellent results.
Focusing on education-related results, by the end of 2021, a total of 150 activities of intercultural education were implemented, affecting at least 30 schools of primary and secondary education.
