Introduction to participatory communication for sustainable development

by Andrea Visinoni
European Co-director, EU Project - COL/B7-5041/1/95/028
"Sustainable development of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta"

The "Introduction to participatory communication for sustainable development" manual, published in Spanish, was produced for the project UE - COL/B7-5041/1/95/028. It presents cases and methods for information, communication and capacity building to be applied for natural resources management in the National Park of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia.

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, on the Atlantic coast of Colombia, is a region of high biodiversity (ranging from summits 6,000 metres above sea level to coral reefs and containing numerous types of tropical forests, ranging from rain forests to dry forests) and a complex cultural structure (the five principal etnic groups are: Kogis, Arhuacos, Wiwas, Kankuamos and Yayúu). The 21,000 Km2 area comprises both countryside and several medium-sized urban centres (Santa Marta, Valledupar and Riohacha), with a total population of approximately 1.5 millon inhabitants.

The project "Sustainable development of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta" is the result of international cooperation between the European Union and Colombia and is coordinated by the Environmental Ministry. Its objective is to promote a management which is ecologically appropriate for the ecosystems and biodiversity of the region in order to improve environmental conservation and the the well-being of the local populations.

(Only available in Spanish)

Click here to see more information about the manual.