Civil Society Organizations and local communities in the south of Mexico are responding to the attacks on their environment. Several organizations, including Global Exchange, CIEPAC and COMPITCH organized a first of its kind Forum on Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge in San Cristóbal de Las Casas in June, 2001. The event brought together over 180 different organizations from 15 different countries representing indigenous and peasant farmer communities, providing an open space for discussion, alternative proposals and capacity building. The Forum was the culmination of several months of workshops dedicated to popular education on biodiversity.
The Forum issed this declaration making the event annual. In 2002 the Forum was held in Xela, Guatemala. The declaration for the second Forum can be read here
A Spanish language site 'Biodiversidad' was established to continue this dialogue throughout the years, and post details of upcoming local events.
