Environmental Conflict Resolution

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Aldeas de Paz, through its Mexican branch named Transformación de Conflictos Socioambientales, is building a community work center in the city of Chetumal, Quintana Roo. Although the regional base will be in Chetumal, the scope of the activities to be carried out will have a wider action range including the Othón P. Blanco and Bacalar Municipalities. Volunteers will be able to choose their activities among a wide range of activities to be carried out in the city of Chetumal, Laguna Guerrero, Laguna Milagros, Bacalar town & Bacalar lagoon, the Sugarcane area at the Rio Hondo riverbank, and the town of Mahahual (consider that the list of activities available depend on the length of stay and time of the year). The Chetumal work center is focused on bringing volunteers closer to a series of activities that have a positive impact on the social, environmental, and economic reality in the Mexico-Belize border region. The activities offered are oriented to confront a recent phenomenon: the rapid economic development of the Mexican Caribbean region at the expense of environmental deterioration and negative social impacts. The volunteers will be part of well oriented actions that seek to reverse this trend and generate the necessary change for a sustainable and sustainable future.

About Aldeas de Paz programs in Mexico
Our Mexican programs are focused on socio-environmental conflicts management and transformation. Aldeas de Paz has partnered with local grass root NGOs that are committed to these tasks and that are helping us generate local change and impact. It is possible for any volunteer to divide its time on the different locations and programs. A two weeks minimum stay is required in any program. We encourage volunteers to take advantage of the different areas to visit in Mexico and we propose activities to do and places to see. Help us establish these programs and let’s start generating local changes in the different communities where we are working in Mexico. With Aldeas de Paz you can travel around Mexico and get to know new projects, people and challenges. This program is the first of its kind with Aldeas de Paz!

Volunteer placement, apprenticeship or internship
You can join this program as a volunteer, apprentice or intern. As a volunteer you are free to commit any number of hours per week. That's up to you! As an apprentice or intern however you probably have to fulfill requirements set by your school or university. Please inform us of your school or university internship requirements in advance so that we can work out your personalized work plan together. Also tell us about your personal expectations and goals. We are happy to give students academic credit or provide a report outlining the learning outcomes and deliverables achieved during your placement.

What to expect
Help local stakeholders and researchers monitoring environmental conflicts! We seek volunteers to be part of activities to improve the social and environmental context of the Mexico-Belize border region. This program contributes to ongoing local initiatives and is developing multimedia material to document environmental impacts that will be useful in the short, medium, and long term. A weekly work agenda is built in a personalized way with each volunteer in which they can choose to participate in activities from a variety of projects that suit their personal or professional interests. The volunteers will be part of well oriented actions that seek to reverse this trend and generate the necessary change for a more sustainable future. Day-to-day activities will be agreed between the volunteer and the program coordination in the city of Chetumal after confirming the placement. However, notice that some activities may not be available at certain times of the year.

Activities can include but are not limited to

• Be part of the elaboration of a written study and video documentary on environmental conflicts in the Chetumal region through interviews, surveys and city tours. Assist with the production of filming and photography of the oral interviews and stage shots, as well as the subsequent organization and editing of the documented work.
• Be part of cleaning brigades in green areas and mangroves on the Bahía de Chetumal and Calderitas boulevards, as well as design and implement adequate signage to prevent future contamination. This activity is also carried out in public swimming spaces and protected natural areas of the town of Bacalar.
• Help the staff at the Othón Pompeyo Blanco Canine and Feline Care Center on rescue and care activities for dogs and cats.
• Be part of activities for manatees conservation at the Center for the Care and Rehabilitation of Aquatic Mammals (CARMA) in Laguna de Guerrero.
• Participate in support activities for the care of rescued animals in the Payo Obispo Chetumal Zoological Garden.
• Be part of the organization, promotion and improvement activities of the Museum of Mayan Culture in the city of Chetumal.
• Be part of maintenance, care and conservation activities of the archaeological sites of Oxtankah, Dzibanché, Kinichná, Kohunlich.
• Teach English language classes to elementary, middle and high school children in need.
• Be part of surveillance activities and forestry studies with the forestry authority in Chetumal.
• Contribute to the conservation and study of native bee hives and traditional beekeeping with researchers at a local academic center.

Requirements
No previous experience or special skills are required. A environmental conflicts management volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and has to have a desire to take initiative; friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Motivation and desire to learn about the community development field as well as passion for community work and grassroots development. We seek that the volunteer experience supports both a comprehensive experience for the person who participates and for all the members and beneficiaries of our community. Each volunteer will receive a personalized schedule according to his/her needs and availability of activities. A minimum time commitment of 4 hours/ 4 days a week is expected for all volunteers. We expect that volunteers adapt to program needs with flexibility, responsibility, commitment, patience, and perseverance, among other significant qualities. It is necessary for volunteers to meet certain requirements:

• At least 18 years of age at the start point of the volunteering period.
• At least intermediate Spanish competence (A2 completed) is suggested. It is possible to receive volunteers with less knowledge of Spanish, but it will limit the activities in which they can participate. Multimedia activities and documentation activities can be done without previous Spanish knowledge.
• Respect for the other and openness to discover new ways of life and cultural practices.
• Preference will be given to those candidates who have work experience with people in vulnerable situations or in environmental conflicts contexts.
• A valid medical insurance throughout your stay is mandatory.
• Candidates will be interviewed through video call by the NGO staff.
• An ideal volunteer is proactive, result-focused but still patient and willing to engage in activities autonomously while still having our support and supervision.

Availability
This program is ongoing throughout the whole year.

Time Commitment
A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required and can be extended up to one year. Activities are usually held during weekdays from 10 am to 6 pm, but a personalized schedule will be organized with each volunteer on a weekly basis.

Placement Location
Chetumal, Quintana Roo, México.

About your Placement Location
Chetumal, a small city with just under 170,000 inhabitants and capital of the Mexican State of Quintana Roo.

Our Volunteer Guesthouse Apartments and our Host Family home stays in Mexico
The Foundation’s popular volunteer guesthouses apartments are located in strategic areas of the different towns where the work is conducted. Although the towns of Malinalco, Chalma, Chetumal and Cardonal (Mezquital Valley) are different and have different cultural vibes, all of them are scenic, laid back and peaceful towns, with friendly and easy-going inhabitants, living their life with tourism, commerce, agriculture and fishing activities (Chetumal). Malinalco is a popular "magic town" of Mexico where people from different countries have settled. Chalma is a religious Sanctuary and cozy town. Chetumal is a small and student city, although it is the capital city of its region. Cardonal (Mezquital Valley, Hidalgo, Mexico) is a more isolated setting but immersed in an awesome natural landscape! Our Volunteer Guesthouses Apartments are extremely conveniently located with shops, services and touristic spots nearby. All places where we work are safe and volunteers will get to know that the insecurity reputation of Mexico is not generalized and should be understood through its regional contexts. A shared room with three beds is the standard option (Four in Chetumal). Upgrades are available for double and single room occupancy and home stay with our lovely host families. Free wifi and access to a washing machine is, of course, standard at all Aldeas de Paz facilities. Living together with volunteers from all over the world is a unique chance for cultural exchange and can be an exciting and new way of living compared to anything you’ve ever experienced before. It has certainly been a key experience in the lives of many past volunteers! Volunteers work and live together and learn how to be empathetic and considerate of others’ needs. They often share their free time, house cleaning tasks and cooking (optional). It means they also become close, develop lifelong friendships and have immense fun along the way! We feel that it is important to highlight that we have created an environment of respect and consideration.

Travel Logistics
The Foundation will do everything to make sure our volunteers remain safe during their arrival and stay in Mexico. On arrival at Chetumal Airport (best option, international flights with a leg in Mexico City or Cancun) or at Cancun International Airport (six hour bus ride to Chetumal) you will be welcomed by our English speaking driver who will help you personally during your transit from the airport to your accommodation. For arrivals at Cancun, the driver will take you to the bus terminal granting you peace of mind and tranquility. The driver will purchase your bus ticket while you catch the direct and comfortable bus to your placement location. Travel-time on the bus from Cancun is six hours. On arrival at the placement location, fellow volunteers and our Staff will welcome you and bring you to your accommodation.

Costs & Benefits
Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and to offer financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. The minimum contribution starts at US$ 155 per week (after the second week) and includes Spanish language classes and accommodation at our fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a special program donation as well as a personal welcome service and pick-up at the airport, transfer to the bus, bus fare and free transfer to your placement location.

This is included:

• Airport/Bus Station welcome service & transfer from Chetumal airport to the accommodation
• Fully equipped Accommodation in Chetumal, Mexico at a shared bedroom with maximal four people
• Wi-Fi internet
• Kitchen and washing machine available
• Placement introduction
• Certificate after completion and the possibility of student credit
• Follow-up meeting at work once a week
• Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement
• Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff
• Information about adventure packages & in-country travel

Special Offer
Volunteers and interns receive free language lessons throughout their placement duration. Classes focus on developing four basic communication skills: listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Students are encouraged to speak Spanish right from the very first day, using it in typical real-life situations as soon as they step outside the classroom where learning continues as they are immersed in the Spanish language and Mexican culture.

Contact Information
Project/charity name: Fundación Aldeas de Paz
Address: Samana, Dominican Republic
Whatsapp: +1 829 7055 123
E-Mail: mail@peacevillages.org
Webpage: https://www.peacevillages.org/chetumal-conflict-resolucion/
Facebook: https://www.facebook/AldeasdePaz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AldeasDePaz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AldeasDePaz
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Peacevillages