Green Marge Simpson Dress

"The voice of the indigenous is very important,"

The World Social Forum 2009 will be the first time in the margins of the Amazon, in Belém, the capital of the State of Pará. The region is typical of many problems of Amazonia: The soft forest and its inhabitants have to - the interests of international corporations and the growing appetite for energy on Earth.
Aldalice Cruz de Moura Otterloo organized with the World Social Forum site. EED spoke to her about their experiences and expectations.

How did you react when you heard that the World Social Forum held this year in Belem?

I had first thought: The city has no capabilities, it is not structurally designed for 100,000 visitors. But the second thought was: This is a great challenge and an opportunity to the problems in the Amazon region in the public eye to move.

What impact will the World Social Forum in Belém have, or what it has already?
The first
already noticeable impact is the Federal investment in public transport, public safety and in the construction and renovation of roads and accommodation.
also benefit small businesses and produce many small projects of investment, such as women, food, or carpentry.
NGOs is most important for us to be there to share with other organizations and to form new alliances. Thus, the forces are concentrated in the fight for justice.

What do I do now?

Oh, much, much. The events are two universities in the city distributed. The infrastructure is there some not so much that more than 100,000 people find the place. The government has invested heavily in building this infrastructure. We hope that Belém benefits from the long term - for example, that the large tents that can be set up for the seminars and activities of the World Social Forum, can also be used for future events.

What aspect you are particularly pleased?

that indigenous groups at the World Social Forum will experience a greater attention than before. In Brazil, there are a total of more than 300 tribes are almost 90 of them on the Forum to be represented and speak for their cause. But of the nearly 60 ethnic groups in the state of Pará about 50 indigenous nations will send representatives. Your Voice at the World Social Forum is very important. For just Indian areas threatened by deforestation by transnational corporations or large projects such as the proposed dams on the Rio Madeira. Alone for the project would have several hundred square kilometers of rain forest are inundated.

Interview: Martin Koch, Kirsten Lange