CATAUNIDOS Seminar

This week was absolutely incredible. I spent two days at a seminar here in BH hosted by INSEA. The purpose of the conference was to discuss the strengthening and expansion of the CATAUNIDOS network. CATAUNIDOS - a combination of "catador" (scavenger) and "unidos" (together) - is the name for the BH municipal area network of recycler organizations. Currently, there are 9 participating cooperatives and associations. 14 other groups were invited to the conference to discuss joining the network. In addition to inviting representatives from these 23 organizations, we also invited representatives from the municipal governments - key partners in any attempt to build/strengthen wastepicker organizations in local communities. The overall attendance at the event was roughly 150 catadores and 50 technicians/municipal government representatives.

The first day consisted of panel discussions to discuss challenges and opportunities for building networks of catadores and integrating them into structures of solid waste management across the country.

The first person to present was a representative from the federal government, which has an inter-ministerial committee formed by the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Social Development that focuses specifically on supporting catadores. In the last 10 years, thanks to efforts by the National Movement of Catadores (MNCR), the PT-led government has adopted numerous laws and decrees meant to provide support to the cause. This committee is leading the way - but obviously putting words into action, getting local partners to sign on and finding funding have not been easy.

The second representative was from the Entrepreneurial Pledge for Recycling (CEMPRE), an association of businesses working to promote recycling among the business community and guarantee the insertion of organizations of catadores into the industry supply chain. CEMPRE provides logistical support for the economic aspect of these endeavors and helps to increase the supply of separated, recycled materials.

The other representatives on the various panels included the director of recycling programs for the solid waste management agency of the state government of Minas Gerais, a leading representative of the MNCR, a director of CATAUNIDOS, representatives from the Bank of Brazil and Petrobras (two key financiers of these endeavors), a rep from INSEA, and two representatives from CATASAMPA, a large and successful network of catadores in Sao Paulo.

The second day, participants broke down into group discussions, with catadores and municipal government representatives separating to discuss various challenges and potential actions that could be taken in regards to strengthening the CATAUNIDOS network. The seminar closed with the director of INSEA talking about future steps beginning at the end of this month to begin executing the previously devised action plan that would involve working in each of the municipal areas with participating groups. Basically, the practical effect of the seminar was to build camaraderie and a mutual vision of the challenges/opportunities available while also preparing all actors involved for the undertaking that will formally begin at the end of this month.

Obviously it was exciting for me to learn so much about these initiatives from so many different perspectives and get insight into various logistical issues covering a wide range of topics: 1. Public policy and political support 2. Business management issues and economic models 3. Technical issues of waste management, collection processes and available technology/equipment, and 4. Social mobilization both among catadores and with the community at large.

But honestly, I was more excited just about the general atmosphere I witnessed. It honestly felt like I was at a giant two-day party. Things weren't always happy - at some point when people talked about the difficulties they were facing and the threat of their organizations collapsing I was on the verge of tears. But overall, the environment was incredibly uplifting.

Between panel discussions, there was a theater group from the MNCR that led everyone in songs, dances, and even brief skits. Everyone was dancing and singing. The lyrics of the songs were beautiful - talking about the difficulties of life in the landfill but pride in the work and the cause and the love of recycling. The skits were even more impressive. In what was probably my favorite part of the entire event, the theater group put on a brief skit where one of them dressed up as a snobby mayor obsessed with reelection and another dressed up as an arrogant foreigner (yes...American) trying to convince the mayor to give him a contract to build a giant incineration plant to burn all the trash and get all the people out of the dumps and landfills. (Yes, this is a daily struggle catadores deal with - fighting powerful businessmen trying to sell the latest waste management technology that almost always is shockingly environmentally irresponsible and also completely marginalizes the catadores as important political actors with a stake in the system.) For the skit, the theater group allowed various catadores to take turns jumping in to the scene in order to convince the mayor instead to support them in building a joint waste management/recycling program that would be more environmentally friendly and provide better economic opportunities for the poorest community members.

The skit was absolutely hilarious, the actors were great and the entire room was laughing nonstop. But even more impressive to me were the catadores themselves. Although I knew that there was strong leadership within the MNCR, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical as to how involved the average catador actually is - I imagined a few charismatic people surrounded by a group of strong, passionate government officials and NGO workers that really kept the movement alive. Man, was I wrong. I was amazed by how intelligent, articulate, passionate and proud they all were. Time and time again, whether it was taking the stage for a skit or song, leading a panel discussion or contributing an idea in group sessions, so many different catadores stood up to speak their mind and blew me away. This is truly what a grassroots movement is all about - a group of people who believe in their cause, who support each other as a tight knit community, who are willing to fight the power structures that continue to oppress them and who are willing to laugh and have fun along the way. I was so moved by what I saw that words can barely describe it.

Obviously, there are huge challenges we are facing moving forward on a variety of fronts. But after this week, I'm ready to dive in 100%. This is truly one of the most amazing movements I have ever witnessed and I am so honored to have this opportunity to participate during my time here in Brazil. I can't wait to report back with my next update.

Probably the most frustrating thing for me about the seminar is that both days I forgot to bring my camera. I really would have loved to share pictures and maybe even some video with all of you. Represenatives from INSEA were taking a lot of pictures so hopefully I will be able to get my hands on some of those and post them. Regardless, I am going to another seminar next week in the North of Minas Gerais (a notoriously poor area of the state) and I will be sure to bring my camera then. So check back soon!