ISSUE48: FEBRUARY-APRIL 2007
network of research and training centres/programmes
Documentary
shows struggle to protect biological corridor
The desperate and sometimes violent struggle by indigenous communities to
protect a biological corridor linking two protected areas near Mexico City
is depicted in a new video documentary from UNU Media
Studio.
Voices of the Chichinautzin shows how proposed major development projects in the corridor wouldhave had significant environmental impacts. Recently, illegal logging has emerged as a new challenge to the area's sustainability.
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| Morelos State Autonomous University scientist Topiltzin Contreras is joined by UNU staff via videoconference from Tokyo at the launch of the documentary in Mexico. |
Scientists from the local university are now working with community groups and government agencies, and harnessing traditional knowledge to find a long-term development path that balances the need for conservation with the need to secure local livelihoods. The answers to the problems facing this corridor can be found in the voices of the people who live in the Chichinautzin corridor.
Morelos State Autonomous University hosted a special event to promote the documentary as part of celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Chichinautzin Biological Corridor. UNU Centre staffers Brendan Barrett and Luis Patron participated via video conference from Tokyo.
Noted forest activist Ildefonso Zamora, who appears in the documentary, spoke at the event, which was attended by 250 people from Chichinautzin communities, the director of the Chichinautzin Biological Corridor and students and professors of the university's biology department
The documentary was directed and co-produced by Patricia Sims, and co-directed and produced by Luis Patron. The trailer, available in English and Spanish, can be viewed at http://voices.unu.edu.
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Ayuquila
River documentary
wins award of excellence
The UNU Media Studio video documentary Saving the Auuquila River has won an award of excellence in the education division of the Society for New Communications Research awards programme.
The society honors innovative individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and media outlets for the use of social media, ICT, mobile media, online communities, virtual worlds and collaborative technologies in the areas of media, marketing, public relations, advertising, entertainment, education, politics and social initiatives.
The Saving the Ayuquila River video documentary and online case study was developed by UNU Media Studio in collaboration with the University of Guadalajara, Mexico and illustrates how scientists can work with communities and business to bring about positive environmental changes.
"The UNU Media Studio's programme exemplifies the mission of this awards program: the successful and innovative use of new communications solutions and social media practices to enhance communications and relationships," said Mike Manuel, SNCR Best Practices committee chairman.
The Society for New Communications Research is a nonprofit global think tank dedicated to the advanced study of new communications tools, technologies and emerging modes of communication, and their effect on traditional media, professional communications, business and society.
© 2008 United Nations University