Paraguay Global Forest Coalition

(Vatican Radio) Agronomist Miguel Lovera from the 'Centre for Studies of Rural Reality' based at the 'Catholic University of Asunciòn' is  part of a task force of the 'Global Forest Coalition' which promotes campaigns for a socially just and effective forest policy as well as the rights of Indigenous and other Forest peoples. He speaks to Linda Bordoni about his work in defence of rights and suport of community conservation.

Listen to  Agronomist Miguel Lovera from the 'Centre for Studies of Rural Reality' based at the 'Catholic University of Asunciòn' in an interview with Linda Bordoni:

 

In this interview Lovera highlights the role the Government of Paraguay has played  in the promotion of models of agro-business that take land away from the local communities, poison the soil and water as well as cause massive loss of bodiversity so as to  focus on the production of extensive so-called 'cash crops' that provide big business for multinational companies to the detriment - at many levels - of the people of the nation.

Among the issues he also touches on is the recent encyclical of Pope Francis on the environment 'Laudato Sii, which he views as very important as it provides a link between the scientific and technological realities, reported with very credible  data and the ethical moral dimension of the issue.

Lovera also speaks of how the leaders of Paraguay have been scrambling to put forward their best 'face' by getting much needed public works finished for the Pope's arrival and attempting to conceal or "minimize" the unpresentable situation in which people are living in Paraguay".