JuanCarlos

JuanCarlos

My personal work is related to the management of integrated landscape, the community forest management and, therefore, the collective and indigenous rights as well in this regard several Mexican laws merge with the traditional community system (usos y costumbres), that govern each forest community.

The production, policy and relations system in the western world, specially in large urban areas, operates based on principles such as private ownership, contractual relationships and individual rights. on the other hand, and at the same time, there are a number of small forest communities that often have a primarily oral system, with specific traditions, activities, rights and obligations, but all of them from a community perspective.

Both systems reflects a particular way of understanding the world. In other words, each worldview represents a unique understanding of nature and human ethics, rights and responsibilities; nevertheless, both perspectives need to face and understand each other in order to have a real sustainable development.

Therfore, in order to address issues related to territory, land and natural resources rights, it is crucial to build up bridges between the 2 coexisting legal systems: written rights and traditional law of forest communities and indigenous people.

In this context, I would like to learn from other perspectives and experiences regarding collective action and advocacy, always looking for better policies to promote legal empowerment for forest communities.