AMERICA/BRAZIL - Repam: spaces for the solidarity market in 91% of the local Churches in the Amazon

Wednesday, 16 February 2022 amazon economy ecology human rights local churches

Celam

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Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) - A survey by the Pan-Amazonian Eclesial Network (Repam-Brazil) has shown that 91% of the archdioceses, dioceses and prelatures of the Brazilian Amazon have permanent spaces for the marketing of agroecological products, family farming and solidarity economy. As the note sent to Fides informs, the data has been published in the research "Comercialização Solidária na Amazônia brasileira" which aims to identify and strengthen spaces for the marketing of agroecological products and solidarity economy in the Brazilian Amazon. The research also aims to contribute to the construction of development alternatives that take into account the integral protection of the Amazon. Data collection was carried out between June and July 2021, with the participation of the Amazon Regional Conference of the Bishops' Conference of Brazil (CNBB), representatives of ecclesiastical circumscriptions and leaders of projects and communities accompanied by Repam-Brazil. Of the 57 circumscriptions of the Brazilian Amazon, where Repam-Brazil operates, 51 participated in the survey. The data indicates that most of these spaces are traditional fairs that bring together different modalities and products, supplying communities and even entire cities with vegetables, fruits, small animals and other items produced by farmers. In 28% of local churches there are Solidarity Economy Fairs, which bring together urban and rural solidarity companies, but also cooperatives, marketing networks and other solidarity economy experiences, according to Repam. In addition, 19 municipalities have spaces for marketing, of which 5 are organized by archdioceses, dioceses and prelatures.
Survey participants have also reported some challenges to be addressed, such as financial incentives for production, technical advice, product transportation, strategies to take advantage of non-market products, and partnerships. Among the reflections offered by the research, Repam highlights the urgent need to "rebuild production and consumption models to take care of the Amazon".
"The territorial projects and initiatives that accompany the Network reinforce the call of Pope Francis to sign a new pact for the economy. These experiences are not focused on profit and unbridled exploitation, but rather on exchange, solidarity.
For this reason, REPAM-Brazil will continue betting on these alternatives to break with the current models of production and consumption and promote socio-economic justice together with the communities". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 16/2/2022)