The Association of Water Beneficiaries of Tonacatepeque, San Salvador (ABAZORTO) is working with the Movement of Victims and People Affected by Climate Change and Megaprojects (MOVIAC) for the International Conference to be held next November 5 and 6 in San Salvador.

Orlando Aguiluz is a member of ABAZORTO. He says he feels honored to be part of that process and that any social and community organization would consider this a very important event.

He has high expectations for the event, especially because it would give the participants the chance to know about the real situation the country is going through in terms of environmental and social degradation and violence as well as to learn about other experiences in different countries.

Aguiluz believes that the conference will leave us with two messages: the one brought by the participants and the one they will take home. This is a nice example of a global participatory process.

This is a process of consolidation of social movements to put forward proposals on mining in Cabañas, floods in Bajo Lempa, drinking water, agriculture crisis, etc.

MOVIAC is giving people hope and transparency in this social transformation process.
“The people working on the logistics are really dedicated and are putting a lot of effort and love” so that the event will come out perfectly, said Aguiluz.

ABAZORTO has led one of the most successful drinking water supply projects in Tonacatepeque, in San Salvador department. There has been a lot of progress in that area, such as the introduction of water pipes in areas of difficult access.

“This has been a process of consolidation of social movements through different bodies. An example of this is the resistance to mining in Cabañas, as well as the response to the floods in Bajo Lempa. Farmers’ associations are working on a new food programs system, besides other key players in social resistance that will be an essential part of the conference”.

400 regional delegates, 100 international guests, 20 campaigners, communicators and social activists will participate in the event. They will then participate in a solidarity tour to witness the resistance processes both in El Salvador and in Guatemala.

Interview by Josefina Ramírez, of the communications team of CESTA-Friends of the Earth El Salvador.