Protect the Amazon Rainforest and its Guardians

Coalition building is a fundamental aspect of the Javari Project. Today, this coalition consists of local and international organisations, advisors, and advocates, all committed to supporting this invaluable territory and the Indigenous Peoples who call it home.

This assembled network of organisations and individuals are leading experts in indigenous health, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods. In this update, we wish to highlight the coalition building efforts and introduce the following partners:

1. Centro de Trabalho - a Brazilian non-profit association, founded in 1979 by anthropologists and indigenists. Its mission centers around direct support of Indigenous groups, assisting them with resources and technical expertise to achieve greater political and economic autonomy while respecting their unique sociocultural contexts.
2. Uniao Amanzonia Viva - a voluntary civil society movement that was created to help combat the COVID pandemic that seriously affected indigenous peoples and traditional peoples and communities.
3. Forest Trends - pioneers innovative finance for conservation, promoting healthy forests, sustainable agriculture, clean water, robust climate action, biodiverse landscapes, and strong communities. Their programs and initiatives publish timely research, bring together diverse actors, and apply these approaches to make a difference on the ground, often blazing trails for bold and far-reaching policies in the process.
4. Sensing Clues – helps nature conservation professionals with data-driven solutions to protect, manage and nurture nature.  Their team consists of ecologists, law enforcement professionals, data scientists, and ICT engineers dedicated to co-creating solutions to assess the state of wellbeing of protected nature areas, the pressures and threats they endure and the location and timing for preventative action.
5. Community Development Association of the Marubo People of the Upper Curuçá River (ASDEC).
6. Cultural Sanctuaries Foundation – a global charity that operates at the intersection of culture and conservation. Their mission is to protect and nurture both natural environments and traditional cultures. 

Each partner brings specialised expertise that advances the three pillars of the Javari Project. Together, these efforts create a holistic approach to supporting this region.

We'll pause here briefly from our update to reiterate the three pillars of the Javari Project, as identified and crafted by Indigenous Leaders, for the benefit of those encountering the Javari Project for the first time.

1. Alternative livelihoods - construction of local schools, empowering young Indigenous Leaders through workshops, and the establishment of long-term systems to end communities' dependence on extractive industries.
2. Indigenous health - in-territory access to basic services and life-saving treatments and consolidation of Indigenous medicinal knowledge to cultivate Living Pharmacy models.
3. Biodiversity conservation - conservation projects and biodiversity studies, providing necessary insight into this rich and notably understudied territory.

The Javari Project’s co-founder, Mr. Tadzio Mac Gregor, recently participated in the ChangeNow conference held in Paris. This event gathered the world’s most innovative minds and sustainability leaders, all committed to implementing concrete actions for global progress and spreading these ideas across various industries and geographies. Beyond the valuable learning sessions, the conference provided a platform to discuss the Javari Project's work and foster opportunities for the coalition's continued growth.

The final critical coalition partner we must highlight is of course our GlobalGiving community. Your donations have been instrumental in supporting the above three pillars, including lifesaving initiatives such as the antivenom program.

We firmly believe that it is through the combined strength of all coalition partners that the pillars identified by the key stakeholders will be achieved.

On behalf of the Javari Project, thank you for your unwavering support to their mission.

Links:

• Javari Project LinkedIn

As we bid farewell to the past year, we extend our warm wishes for a joyous new year filled with renewed energy and purpose. Your steadfast support has been instrumental in propelling the Javari Project forward, and for that, we express our sincere gratitude.

Charting our Course for 2024

After coming back from the festive season, the Javari Project team has been hard at work crafting a compelling vision for the year ahead. Exciting plans are in motion, including an ambitious expedition back to the region, a revamped communications strategy, and strengthening of the collaborative alliance with Fundo Casa Socioambiental.

Preparation for Javari Visit Underway

The priority for the first quarter involves meticulous planning of the upcoming expedition to the Javari region. Following an extended travel hiatus due to the pandemic and (now much improved) security concerns, this weeklong expedition will provide the team with ample opportunity to assess on-the-ground progress on our three foundational pillars.

Planning a trip into such a remote and difficult-to-access area of course comes with its own set of challenges, but the team is tirelessly working to iron out all details to ensure smooth sailing for Javari's co-founder Ms. Céline Cousteau and her fellow travelers. This involves getting the necessary fly-over permits, planning food intake, and organising relevant meetings with Indigenous coalition leaders.

Joining Ms. Cousteau on this extraordinary journey are a cohort of seasoned explorers, each bringing diverse and relevant expertise to this endeavour. We are thrilled to confirm the participation of:

• Sônia Bridi, a respected Brazilian reporter and journalist for among others, TV Globo, who directed a documentary on the disappearance of Bruno Pereira and Dom Philips.
• Marcelo Rosenbaum, award-winning designer and CEO of the multidisciplinary design studio Rosenbaum, who uses architecture as a tool for social transformation.
• Flávio de Andrade Silva, a Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro engineering scholar with expertise on building materials.

As you, our GlobalGiving community, have played a crucial role in supporting the Javari Project, this expedition will enable the team to assess progress and provide support in establishing a living pharmacy, building a school, and supplying anti-venom to the Indigenous communities.

Strengthening the Javari Partnership

Having solidified a key partnership with Fundo Casa Socioambiental, the focus is now delving into the intricacies of developing the joint strategy. For those of you not familiar with this Brazil-based organisation, it is dedicated to promoting environmental conservation, sustainability, democracy, respect for socio-environmental rights, and social justice through financial support to civil society initiatives in South America.

As always, a heartfelt thank you from BBS and The Javari Project – we wouldn’t be able to do this with you!

We're excited for the upcoming expedition and to share detailed updates with all of you about the journey to come.