Dear FCO friends and supporters,
In 30 years’ time, most of the world’s population will reside in urban areas, according to the United Nations Population Fund. Its 2007 “State of the World Population” annual report predicts a higher concentration of poverty in cities; an increase in shantytowns; a lack of basic services and an increase in social problems, which, if the causes are not now dealt with, will mean ‘a gloomy prospect’ for the near future. To date, we have witnessed major challenges in the global economy, and have seen how this has had a knock-on effect nationally, particularly in Oaxaca, leading to a major economic crisis affecting the quality of life and well-being of our families, as well as leading to political instability and social problems on numerous occasions.
At the Oaxaca Community Foundation, we believe that greater efforts need to be made to ensure a wealth of economic and social opportunities for indigenous communities so that they can avoid the devastating outmigration to cities that the report predicts and that is already affecting their communities. At the same time, we encourage genuine respect for their autonomy, dignity, culture, and a world vision and believe that there is a lot to be learned from their sustainable ways of life, if only they can retain the opportunity to develop.
In this edition, we highlight a variety of the Foundation’s initiatives that express our solidarity with indigenous communities. You will find a article on the amazing native traditions and customs of the Guelaguetza; a report on our online video blogs where indigenous community members are invited to express their views on a range of issues; and we invite you to discover the ‘Plaza 8 Regiones’ restaurant, one of the many organizations we support that are successfully seeking alternative means of generation revenue.
As always, we hope that this bulletin will prove of interest to you and encourage you to reflect deeply on the challenges faced by the indigenous communities in the State of Oaxaca, where only by communal participation and direct civic action can progress be made. Let's gather strength and construct alliances for our development!"
Yours faithfully,
Jaime Bolaños Cacho Guzmán
Executive Director
Jaime Bolaños Cacho Guzmán
Executive Director
