Communities of the Sierra de las Minas resisting for the defense of their territory

Sierra de las Minas is an important water catchment and biosphere reserve in Guatemala, confronted with extractive mining. The “Centro de Reflexiones” strengthens the capacities and knowledge of women and men from communities in resistance. Through a model called “Rakun Akal” (sons and daughters of the Earth), political training workshops are organized on indigenous law, human rights, community organization and communication, food sovereignty, and nature protection. Equal access for men and women is ensured. The goal is to help communities build their own pathway towards alternative development models, based on the people’s rights to autonomy and self-determination as political citizens, recognizing their Mayan identity Q’eqchi’ and Poqomchi’.