Between March 20th and 23rd, the Communication Workshop for the Defense of Rights and the Common Home took place in Soloy, in the Besikö region, Ngäbe Buglé Indigenous Region. Organized by the Community Organization School of the Commission of Justice and Peace in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Panama office, the event brought together around forty participants, including community leaders, activists, and indigenous rights advocates.
The objective of the workshop was to enhance the communication skills of the attendees, providing them with tools to effectively communicate the challenges they face in their communities, especially regarding environmental protection and human rights. Over four days, participants engaged in sessions on creating clear messages and utilizing both digital and traditional media to reach a wider audience.
Facilitators, specialized in communication and activism, provided practical guidance for designing effective communication campaigns. There was an emphasis on the need to tailor messages to different audiences, and group exercises were conducted to develop campaigns suited to their own situations.
The workshop also served as a platform for exchanging experiences and strengthening networks among participants from different communities in the Ngäbe Buglé Indigenous Region. The initiative aims to empower communities in defending their rights and territory by providing knowledge and a space for collective planning.
In summary, the Communication Workshop for the Defense of Rights and the Common Home was a step towards more effective communication in the struggle for indigenous rights and environmental protection in Panama, with expectations that the acquired skills will have a positive impact on the future activities of the participants.
