Topics covered in the interview include origins, growth and responsibilities of La Coordinadora, a loose but vibrant confederation of 125 villages. Asociacion Mangle,  organized for the protection of  the Mangroves and Bay of Jiquilisco,  has reached world stature as it preserves “the lungs” of the planet, while Ecoviva, serves a funding and advocacy role. http://vivaecoviva.wordpress.com/,   http://sites.middlebury.edu/equipomonterey

Current challenges include annual flooding, a moratorium on harvesting of turtle eggs, the lack of professionalized work force, sustaining livelihoods, and the need for record keeping and capacity building.

Professor Negro suggests a study of why the Bajo Lempa region is economically improving and able to maintain the designation of ‘’zone of peace” while other areas have diminished capacity and greater vulnerability to violence and poverty.  Community leadership, strategic planning, and election of members to national government propel it forward. Youth programs incorporating radio, arts, culture, leadership training and environmental conservation are some of the solutions.

In conclusion, Adele challenges the audience to further develop the practice of solidarity with other communities that doesn’t foster dependency or hierarchies, but is truly a linking of arms with the other community.

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Click here to stream interview: El Salvador- DN-PP

El Salvador is party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, CITES, Basel Convention, Partial Test Ban Treaty, Montreal Protocol, Ramsar Convention. El Salvador has signed, but not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.