Luis Alonso González Ayala comes from El Salvador, studied law and political science and focused on ecological aspects. Today he heads a department of the CIR partner organization UNES and is active in various networks on water and agriculture. Luis is one of the three speakers who will visit various places and activities with us from October 22nd. Places where we sometimes discuss the question: How can the Global South be compensated for the effects of climate change (mainly caused by the North)? Especially in the run-up to the climate conference in Egypt (November 7 to 18, 2022), the topics of climate finance and damage and losses play a central role. Perspectives like Luis's are very important. Because Central America is severely affected by climate change and yet is hardly represented in international climate negotiations. Our tour aims to change that.

Climate finance, agricultural policy and indigenous rights

At network meetings and public events in various cities, Luís, Marlen Corea from the Honduras Development Center and an NGO representative from Nicaragua report on the effects of the climate crisis in their home countries. They become “speakers” who also make political and financial demands. While Luís focuses on water scarcity, agriculture and necessary   adaptation measures for El Salvador, Marlen advocates indigenous participation in climate policy negotiations. She is part of the indigenous Lenca community. Our third expert from Nicaragua focuses on fair climate financing instead of climate protection on the back of the Global South.

From Brussels to Budapest

The first stop is called Brussels. Here the speakers meet EU parliamentarians and take part in a round table together with young climate ambassadors. Then they continue to the lignite village of Lützerath, which is threatened by excavation, where they network with local climate activists and discuss experiences and joint strategies. In Münster, the speakers will then take part in our “Conference for a world economy in which we want to live” (already fully booked!) - and will also speak there about their experiences and demands. Then it goes to Berlin. Several internal rounds of talks are held there with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, among others. Several press events as well as open lobby meetings and panels with politicians working on climate and development policy are also planned. At the end of the tour we will go to two events in Prague and Budapest, where our GameOn partner organizations NaMysli and MTVS invite you to a "Climate Justice Breakfast" and a climate policy discussion round: namely journalists, climate ambassadors and our Central American guests.

Strengthen activist networks across borders

Overall, the three speakers can expect a diverse and interactive program with varied formats. In this way, cross-border activist networks are strengthened, civil society is sensitized through perspectives from the Global South and their long-overdue demands are heard and taken seriously in European politics.

The CIR will accompany and report to all three on the stations. Follow us on social media to never miss an update!

The trip takes place in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Bread for the World and is part of the international campaign Game On - Don't let climate change end the game. The activity is co-financed by the EU and organized by the CIR.

Event Notes

• October 26, 2-4 p.m., Lützerath: Panel on decolonial climate activism and parallels between forms of extractivism in Europe and Central America, organized by Lützerath Bleibt/Ende Gelände

• October 30, 4-6 p.m., Berlin: Network meeting and panel, organized by BUNDjugend in cooperation with Bloque Latinoamericano