On March 7, the 2024 series of Regional Dialogues began, a virtual event serving as a forum to discuss and share innovative approaches to governance and community participation in the Andean mountains. This significant meeting, part of the Adaptation at Altitude project, supported by International Cooperation (SDC) and executed by our strategic partner CONDESAN, reflects Switzerland’s commitment to the sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Over 80 attendees from diverse mountain regions joined this exchange platform, which featured simultaneous interpretation to facilitate rich multicultural discussion. The session was opened by the Andean Mountain Initiative, presenting valuable progress and outlining future challenges in promoting inclusive and democratic management in mountain landscapes.

The event continued with a series of talks showcasing local experiences and lessons learned, highlighting the vitality of community initiatives in Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and beyond. These narratives not only showcased the resilience and creativity of our mountain communities but also underscored the significance of consolidating endeavors and expertise for enhanced sustainable development.

The event fostered an open dialogue on how the inclusion of local voices in governance can enrich and strengthen conservation and development strategies in the mountains. In closing, the final reflections from María Argüello, executive director of CONDESAN, reminded us of the challenges we face but also of the hopeful path we are collectively building.

This regional dialogue is part of a series of regional meetings to be organized between March and July 2024, to promote collaboration and mutual learning among mountain communities. From Swiss Cooperation, we take pride in supporting initiatives such as these, which align local efforts with global visions, reaffirming our commitment to a sustainable future for all.

Source: CONDESAN

Useful links:
Site Diálogos Regionales (Regional Dialogues) 2024

Resources:
Video (esp) Diálogo 1, Gobernanza y Participación (Dialogue 1, Governance and Participation)
Video (esp) Diálogo 2, Gestión Integrada del Conocimiento (Dialogue 2, Integrated Knowledge Management)
Video (esp) Diálogo 3, Conservación, restauración y producción sostenible en las montañas andinas (Dialogue 3 Conservation, restoration and sustainable production in the Andean mountains),