CREER Forum #1 Synthesis
CREER Forum #1 Synthesis
Date of the session: Monday, March 13th, 2006.
Duration: from 5: 00 p.m. to 6: 30 p.m.
Number of participants: 13
Objectives: To inform about CREER and begin the process of developing projects in accordance to CREER´s mission and vision statement (see attachment #1).
Agenda:
Introduction:
Joshua explained briefly about the nature and purpose of CREER (see attachments) and asked everyone to introduce themselves.
Recap:
Kristin did a recapitulation about the previous session.
Introductory speech:
Since this was Mauricio´s first time visiting this area he explained his purpose in being here and his intentions. He spoke about globalization and migration as processes conceived in a way that can be influenced, by reflecting on them as a group.
He also referred to his possible role as a “bridge” between the foreigners` group process and the costaricans` group process, by participating as a facilitator in both.
General discussion:
As part of the general frame of the meeting, everybody was invited to participate with a question about the experience of being a foreigner in La Florida and a reflection about the topics exposed previously.
The conversation was carried openly, and the group found its own direction for the discussion of the topics, centred on the community.
Topics brought forth:
The topics listed below intend to synthesize the main ideas that were extracted from the general discussion:
- Communication of “issues” between Ticos and Gringos
- Preservation of land, property, people and culture in the village
- Fear of losing the Ticos
- How to work together as “one”community
- Wages
- Investments/education
- Food, water
- Healthy ways to provide financial support
- Building Tico businesses
- Tico forum/ Gringo forum
- What do the Ticos want vs. need
General conclusions:
The topics listed above represent concerns of the community of foreigners of La Florida and the Diamante Valley. There’s an intention to reflect about the bridge that exists between “locals” and “new comers”, to observe the reality of what has happened with other communities, and support increased awareness through the general discussion of the successes, problems and needs of La Florida and the surrounding villages. In order to come up with projects and solutions, the meetings will continue to be held monthly, dealing with the topics that come up within the process.
The foreigners acknowledge the importance of holding forums with the Costa Ricans of the community, and want to eventually establish an open communication between both groups. The intention is for the needs of the Costa Ricans to reveal themselves through group process with the Costa Ricans, and then the integration of the groups shall give us clarity about most effective ways to create a strong and healthy community.
Establishing a general forum where the projects for the whole community are conceived and elaborated came up as a possible objective for the near future.
The group suggested to work with the same facilitators along the process, to ease its continuity. Joshua, Kristin and Mauricio decided to establish Mauricio as a permanent collaborator for CREER. His commitment includes integrative assistance for the upcoming meetings upon research and detail oriented work. On his next visit to La Florida, Mauricio will spend time with some Tico families of the valley with the intention of getting to know each other, and explaining the beginning ideas of CREER and Tico forums.