Report: Hydroelectric Power Plants in Brazil and north of Turkey

The outcome of Hydroelectric Power Plants in Brazil and north of Turkey

(Recolonization and Popular Struggle Against Merchandisation of Natural Common Goods in Our America - COMPA)

[Portuguese a baixa]

In this discussion it was possible to discuss different dam projects in Brazil and Turkey with different objectives, but with many features in common. The expansion project of the Brazilian government energy generates an incalculable environmental and social impact in the Amazon region, and there are indications that this energy expansion will not be restricted to Brazil, as other Latin countries as Bolivia, Peru and others also need to generate more power.

Through this exchange of experiences was shown a partnership between resistance groups in Turkey who are fighting against the installation of dams on one of its major rivers, as well as in Brazil is building an integrated group around the resistance against the installation of the largest dams of history of the Amazon. This effort to link the fight in defense of the four Amazonian rivers, which must undergo this process, and the two Turkish rivers is very important to amplify the strength of this campaign.

Nesta discussão foi possível discutir diferentes projetos de barragens no Brasil e na Turquia com diferentes objetivos, mas com muitas características em comum. O projeto de expansão energética do governo brasileiro gera um impacto ambiental e social incalculável na região amazônica, e há indicações de que esta expansão energética não ficará restrita ao Brasil, pois outros países latinos como Bolívia, Peru entre outros também precisam gerar mais energia.

Através desta troca de experiências foi sinalizada uma parceria entre grupos de resistência na Turquia que lutam contra a instalação de barragens em um dos seus principais rios, assim como no Brasil está se formando um grupo integrado em torno da resistência contra a instalação das maiores barragens da história da Amazônia. Este esforço de ligar a luta em defesa dos quatro rios amazônicos, que devem sofrer este processo, e os dois rios turcos é de suma importância para amplificar a força desta campanha.

Report: Useless Projects

The outcome of Useless Projects (Struggle Against the Notre Dame des Landes Airport) - Les Alternatifs

The establishment a new airport at NDDL means the destruction of 2000 ha of agricultural land and the dismantling of farms and their households. It is a useless project without economic results which denies democracy. Against it almost 40 organizations (trade unions, parties, inhabitants of the area, users' associations.. and the alternatifs) joined forces in order to provide legal and psychological support. How do the Alternatifs see their role in this coordination? They have enlarged the local struggle (music festival, mass pic-nic..) making it to a national and political concern, so that the usual disparaging comments “They are only a few inhabitants, a few greens” could be avoided.

1.The struggle went through different organizations and fought for unity in a big meeting at NDDL.

2.The Alternatifs gave a national and international resonance by inviting famous personalities.

3.We asked the coordinate at the presidential elections to commit themselves to an abolition of this project

4.1000 elected representatives set up a venture to raise money for a new independent survey which led to the same results as ours.

5.It took a hunger strike lasting 28 days involving representations, inhabitants and peasants to obtain the suspension of land evictions as François Hollande was made to promise such a step.

6.And now we this project to other useless projects through a European Forum which is taking place from the of July at NDDL itself.

Report: Compost for the City

The outcome of Compost for the City - Consumers' Rights Association, Mersin

We are from Consumers Rights Association's in Mersin. We're looking for solutions to make organic surface of the cities into the compost. In 2005,we started the project for compost and our movement centers are our schools and women. For separates organic items for compost, we have communicated NGOs, organizations, associations, foundations, some places which supply food only. We gave them seminars have to separate organic surface for compost. Also, we applied some examples in schools. Now, we've signature campaign municipalities to support and take responsibility. We continued this project along with universities. ETO( Organic Agree-Cultural Organizations) and ECOTAR ( Control and Certificate of Ecological Agree-Cultural Organizations). During the workshop, we have listened and learned experiences about compost from foreigner participator which are very important infos we believe. For example, in the santral separation compost building. If the oxygen level pass the %50, there might be an explosion.

Report: Anti-nuclear Struggle

The outcome of Anti-Nuclear Struggles - SOS Istanbul, Yeşil ve Sol, RAGA Spain

There is an anti-nuclear struggle in Spain against a construction project of a nuclear waste deployment. In local terms, it will destroy the recently emerging ecological agriculture in the region and accelerate the ongoing emigration from the region. Although the nuclear lobby is running a big campaign involving the media and the government, the nationwide campaign has a strong tradition and considers the project as an opportunity to highlight the shift of power to bigger enterprises as well as underlining the ecological destruction of nuclear power in general.

On the other hand, the Anti-nuclear Platform in Turkey had a 20-year struggle against the first nuclear power plant project in the country. The projects were suspended 10 years ago, but were reintroduced by the current government, who shows a determined attitude towards the two projects, one on the north and one on the south. The main argument of the anti-nuclear movement is that the projects are located in earthquake locations.

Report: Privatizations and Cuts

The outcome of

The Struggles Against the Privatizations and Cuts in Public Services in the Area of Villarrobledo - RAGA Spain, Les Alternatifs

and

Privatization of Water - Les Alternatifs

La Mancha is rural without historical political struggle until recently. 2011's public service cuts in health and education mobilized people not previously politically engaged, ie school children's parents.

The biggest of 7 street demonstrations involved 4000 people from Villarobledo. Workers from different organizations headed the movement in turn so it remained “democratically horizontal”. This approach engendered no new organizing body although other meetings resulted in some being co-opted into trade unions so they left the movement.

Others remained in the movement. In conclusion, although their claims were not heard, many people reached a higher level of consciousness and will remain in the movement. They will hopefully find new ways through direct action of challenging bureaucracy.