Have you heard about Ecuador Buen Vivir movement before? In 2022, there a huge disturbance in Ecuador. For 17 days, over 14,000 people, mostly Indigenous Ecuadorians, gathered in the city to protest. Because of these protests, the government had to talk to Indigenous leaders for 90 days. As a result, oil block growth and new mining contracts were put on hold for a while.

Ecuador Buen Vivir Movement: “Buen Vivir” means “living well together.”

“Living well,” or “Buen Vivir,” is more than just a catchphrase; it’s a cause for the health of people and the environment. It’s very different from Ecuador’s old strategy, which was to depend heavily on extracting natural resources. Early on, there were hopes and promises that Buen Vivir ideals would be incorporated into government, but this did not happen. The government didn’t live up to its words, even though the law said it would support Buen Vivir and the country was even praised internationally for taking a new approach to protecting nature rights.

Ecuador Buen Vivir Movement: A Fight for Ideals

It became hard for Ecuador’s economy to get out of its cycle of debt and resource abuse. After not paying some of its debts, Ecuador looked to China for loans, which made its growth even more dependent on natural resources. One example of an attempt to depart from this plan that ran into trouble was the Yasuní-ITT initiative, which failed in the end. Disagreements within the country and pressure from other countries made it harder to move forward on a more sustainable road.

Ecuador Buen Vivir Movement: Power and Hope for Indigenous People

With the help of groups like CONAIE, the Indigenous movement became a strong force for change. They have pushed for higher environmental and social standards by being able to organize and make alliances both nationally and internationally. Indigenous Ecuadorians have win wins through their protests. It’s including having their debts forgiven and getting the government to change its policies.

A Look Ahead

Indigenous people are still leading the way for a more fair and long-lasting society, even though there are problems. Their dedication to the ideas of Buen Vivir gives us hope for a future where profit is not the most important thing. As the climate problem gets worse, it becomes more important than ever to switch to different ways of developing. As they follow the ideals of Buen Vivir, Ecuador’s Indigenous groups make plans for a better future.

That being said

The fight for Buen Vivir in Ecuador is part of a larger movement around the world for environmental and social justice. Indigenous communities’ strength and unshakable dedication to living in harmony. Life with nature a source of hope for a more sustainable future. Even when things go wrong. As we face the challenges of the 21st century. Following the concepts of Buen Vivir may help us create a world where everyone can thrive, like people and animals.