Topa-Erreka 98

1998/06/01 Erreka Plataforma Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ekologia
• Ingurumena

On 25 April, the Erreka Environmental Platform organized a meeting and exchange of ideas called Topa-Erreka at the Civic Centre La Bolsa in Bilbao.

The Topa-Erreka emerged after the ecocopetas carried out last year in Navarra. In fact, we sent a survey to attendees to get their opinion on what happened there, and many of them commented on the need for more meetings or the convenience of doing it more often. In view of this, we thought that the following was the Erreka platform itself. It was decided to do so in Bizkaia, but open to all countries.

Topa-Erreka Day is divided into areas, with the aim of responding to the diversity of interests that exist today, and so in the morning we talk about four theoretical topics: Alternative energies, Environmental education, Consumption and ecology and, finally, World situation. In the afternoon session we organized four workshops: Preparation of nonviolent action, Mutual listening, Use of computer networks and Urban travel.

It can also be said that the objectives set above have been satisfactorily fulfilled:

• A broad participation, since we did not want to make any decisions in these meetings, but to expand ideas and talk about the new challenges we have today and find where we are.
• To approach people who so far are not within the environmental movement, encouraging their participation.

As for participation, it should be noted that it has been greater than expected since eighty people approached the debates and workshops held. The most chosen topics were Alternative Energies and Environmental Education, while in the case of the workshops were Mutual Listening and Urban Travel.

Once the workshops were completed, to celebrate the Meeting, the valuation sheets were distributed and a general meeting was held in which the opinion of the attendees was collected.

Note the following:

• Participation in groups. It was great, that is, almost everyone spoke.
• Suitable environment for communication. People found no difficulty in communicating, they could communicate easily.
• Lack of time to delve into the issues. Although participation was important, we did not have the opportunity to deepen. Although the breaks were lost there would not be enough time.

It should also be noted that some familiar faces of the environmental movement were not seen in the place, so one of the most important challenges that has remained for the future is the collection of a new and old food.

Finally, note that during the afternoon several groups of Hego Euskal Herria met to analyze the project for the creation of the Erreka platform in Araba, Gipuzkoa and Navarra, including the environmental platform Erreka. The decision was made to hold a new meeting in October to discuss the perspective of the environmental platform Erreka, which would occupy all of Hego Euskal Herria.

The step has also been important on the mountain, but we still have a lot to do. We hope that with the impulse of the meeting we will be able to respond adequately to the challenges. Yes!