Democratizing Environmental Components of Latin American Integration

Uruguayan Study Center of Appropriate Technologies

To engage stakeholders in South America in the environmental aspects of regional economic integration processes.

During the 1990s, most Latin American countries pursued trade liberalization and economic integration policies. One characteristic that these various trade and integration negotiations have in common, however, is a lack of attention to environmental issues. This is a critical problem, because the export pattern throughout Latin America is based on primary products, with 70 percent being unprocessed or minimally processed natural resources. Since many of the most important export products are natural resource-based commodities that have suffered significant price decreases in recent years, countries have been forced to increase the rate of extraction of those resources, causing a corresponding increase in negative environmental consequences. Multiyear funding will support efforts to get stakeholders -- citizens' groups, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government officials and others -- involved in the effects of economic integration processes on the environment. Activities will include conducting a series of workshops in four countries to engage new civil society and government actors; organizing an international workshop to share Latin American perspectives with U.S. and Canadian NGOs and policymakers; and conducting outreach to government officials, directors of agricultural and forestry associations, and researchers to inform them about the project and encourage their participation. Uruguayan Study Center of Appropriate Technologies is an independent NGO dedicated to the study and promotion of technologies for sustainable development.

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