A focus on conscious consumption

On July 8, Salvador was the host of the International Sustainability Seminar - Commitment to Conscious Consumption, which gathered over 200 people, presented the main results of the Terramiga Program and promoted a discussion on the importance of conscious consumption.

Originating from an agreement signed in 2006 in the amount of US$ 2.35 million, Terramiga is an initiative created through a partnership between the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), the Multilateral Investment Fund (FOMIN), the Odebrecht Foundation and the Bahia Southern Lowlands Sustainable Development Institute (IDES). Its main objective was to develop models that could reduce rural poverty, boost agricultural productivity and good practices, reduce the environmental impact and create access to products with higher added market value. In 2009, the Mitsubishi Corporation began supporting the initiative.

During the seminar, Roberto Lessa, Vice President of the Odebrecht Foundation - Social-Production Area, highlighted the achievements and continuity of the actions. “When consumers know what is behind a product, they will have no doubts when it comes to choosing,” said Lessa. “The challenge is getting this message to them.”

The funds from Terramiga were used to support 1,000 families who work to produce manioc root, heart of palm, piassaba and fish. In five years, the partnership helped boost the production, monthly income of the members and earnings of the cooperatives associated with the Bahia Southern Lowlands Environmental Protection Area Mosaic Integrated and Sustainable Development Program (PDIS), supported by the Odebrecht Foundation.

Luciana Botafogo, FOMIN/BID Sector Specialist, emphasized that these are the results desired for the actions supported by the institution. “We seek to generate for our beneficiaries measurable impacts and we believe that the only way to increase our activities is through projects such as Terramiga,” said Botafogo.

Different lectures were presented during the International Seminar. PDIS was presented by Mauricio Medeiros, Executive President of the Odebrecht Foundation. “We don’t get anywhere alone,” said Medeiros. “We are service providers, and through programs such as Terramiga, we have found the synergy to make the dream of a more just Brazil a reality,” he said. For Yu Shiobara, Director of the Mitsubishi Corporation do Brasil, the project defends the family famers and environmental conservation. “That is why we value our participation in the initiative,” said Shiobara.

The President of the Pratigi Environmental Protection Area Intermunicipal Consortium (CIAPRA) and the Piraí do Norte Mayor, Heráclito Menezes, recalled the importance of the integration between different institutions as a major differential of PDIS: “With this coordination and the commitment of each one, we will develop benefits for all,” said Menezes.

The highlight of the event was the exhibit by Rich Harwood, considered a reference in community development. The founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation has been dedicated for over 20 years to transforming public and political life, prompting individuals, organizations and communities to make significant changes.