Eva Schmitz
Latin America • Agro-commodities • Partner work • Palm oil • Capacity Building • Human rights
Evidence is mounting that the current path of global development will lead to an ever increasing destruction of our natural habitat, a widening gap between rich and poor and the strengthening of anti-democratic powers with grave effects on human rights around the globe. Yet simultaneously we also see a huge amount of resilience and adaptability not only by people but also by nature itself, presenting us with a multitude of solutions for some of even the gravest problems of our times. Both ENDS recognises the need to tackle the most negative impacts of present day developments, such as harmful industries, intransparent financial systems or bad governance, and at the same time sees the equal importance of stimulating positive initiatives and bottom-up approaches which promote development in line with human rights, environmental justice and equitable, fair societies which benefit all citizens. This holistic approach towards sustainable development makes Both ENDS a very motivating, engaging and inspiring place to work.
The main focus of my work lies in tackling the social and environmental impacts connected to the large-scale production and trade of agricultural commodities, infrastructure projects and extractives. My main efforts go towards supporting affected communities in the defending of their land and claiming of their rights through legal means and other grievance mechanisms. More specifically in my work I have always been interested in the Latin America region. Especially now with the political and economic situation rapidly deteriorating in much of the region it means that the work of organisations like Both ENDS - and even more so our local partners - has become more important than ever, even if also more difficult and dangerous. I furthermore have a strong passion for fostering alliances around the globe, connecting people for increased impact and building the leadership capacities of young environmentalists around the world.
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Dossier
Wetlands without Borders
With our Wetlands without Borders program, we work towards environmentally sustainable and socially responsible governance of the wetlands system of the La Plata Basin in South America.
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Dossier
Large-scale infrastructure
Large-scale infrastructural projects have detrimental effects on local people and the environment, while their benefits are felt elsewhere. Both ENDS is working to ensure that local people have a greater say in decision-making and is investigating the way these projects are funded.
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News / 21 September 2020
The Pantanal is burning: how a wetland became a hotspot for bushfires
The Pantanal, the world's largest freshwater wetland, is suffering exceptionally devastating forest fires, mostly caused by human activities. Over the past few months, an area as big as Northern Ireland has burned down. Both ENDS's partner organisations call for attention for this ecological and social disaster.
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External link / 19 June 2020
Faith and life in a wetland without borders (Annual Report 2019)
A popular committee succeeded in preventing a licence for a hydrodam in the river Jauquara, Brazil. Building a transnational people's movement to protect the wetland ecosystem: that's what the Wetlands Without Borders programme is all about. "Being connected provides a lifeline for communities."
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External link / 29 May 2019
Wetlands without borders: the La Plata Basin (Annual Report 2018)
The South American La Plata Basin is the largest freshwater wetland in the world. Monoculture, ranching, mining and infrastructure projects are among the many threats to the wetland system, its forests and rivers, and the livelihoods of the many people who depend on them. Our partners in the region work tirelessly to preserve the basin.
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News / 14 November 2018
Celebrating the River Paraguay
Each year on the 14th of November, in the Brazilian city of Cáceres the 'Day of the Paraguay River' (Dia do Rio Paraguai) is celebrated. This tradition started in the year 2000, when civil society mobilized for the first time and successfully campaigned against the construction of the Hidrovía Paraguay-Paraná. Since then, the date symbolizes the close relationship of the people with the river, its culture and the environment.
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News / 26 September 2018
Temporary ban on new hydro dams in the Brazilian Pantanal
Good news from Brazil! The National Water Agency (ANA) has stopped issuing new permits for the construction of hydroelectric dams in the Brazilian Paraguay river basin, which is part of the Pantanal wetlands in South-America. The suspension will last at least until May 2020, after the publication of a comprehensive socio-economic and environmental impact assessment that the ANA started in 2016.
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News / 13 April 2015
The Pantanal, the world’s largest waterland, is under serious threat
For several decades, Both ENDS has been closely following the developments in this large water area in the centre of South America. We work closely with organisations which aim to ensure that the local population knows about these developments and, if necessary, protect it from these changes. But why is this area both so special and important for the whole of South America? And what exactly is threatening this area? C. Cornell Evers, independent photographer and writer, spoke with Tamara Mohr of Both ENDS and Sander van Andel of IUCN to find answers. The result of this meeting is an interesting interview.
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News / 3 March 2015
Sengwer people evicted for controversial - World Bank funded - project in Kenya
Under the pretext of a ‘Natural Resource Management Project’ funded by the World Bank, the Kenyan Forest Service has, again, started to forcibly evict the indigenous Sengwer people from their ancestral lands in the Kerangany Hills and to burn down their houses. This was documented on March 2nd, by a fact-finding team that was sent to the ground by the World Bank’s own inspection panel.