People of the world sail together through the amazonian waters as part of the IV International Meeting of Affected People
By Camila Fróis / MAB, Rafael Zan / MAB
Under the Amazonian sun, a group comprised of popular social movement leaders from 45 countries embarked this Sunday (November 9) on a symbolic crossing of the waters of the Guajará Bay, in Belém (PA). The trip, which brought together representatives of different social movements, was part of the program of the IV International Meeting of People Affected by Dams and the Climate Crisis. Since the beginning of the week, the event has brought together 350 people from all continents to discuss energy sovereignty, climate justice and build collective solutions.
The purpose of the Amazonian experience was to offer participants direct contact with the territory and culture of the country hosting the meeting, so that they could feel and understand the Amazon not only as a landscape, but as a political territory and a place of resistance. Therefore, the immersion served as a space for learning and exchange with the city as a backdrop.
The gateway to the Amazon, the capital of Pará has a rich history and a frenetic urban rhythm, with large river traffic jams. The flow of vessels arriving and departing from the port in the morning includes everything from large ships and three-story passenger boats to barges and boats belonging to riverside dwellers who live in communities in the forest, especially in the Marajó archipelago. The city’s culture is also quite vibrant, blending the rhythmic sounds of guitar music, the tingling of jambu (a local herb), the flavor of açaí, and the swaying rhythm of carimbó (a traditional Brazilian dance) that enlivened the experience.
History and Resistance in the Heart of Belém
In the first part of the day, participants took a walk through the historic center of Belém, led by professor and historian Michel Pinho, a researcher of the city’s social history. The tour was structured as a public lecture, with reflections on the role of Black, Indigenous, and riverside (ribeirinhas) communities in the formation of Pará and on the resistance struggles that marked the region, such as the Cabanagem, a popular revolt that occurred between 1835 and 1840 against the exploitation and authoritarianism of the colonial elites.
“The aim is to look at Belém from other perspectives. The city is not just what appears in official narratives, but the result of many conflicts and resistances. This history needs to be told by those who built it,” stated Pinho.
The group concluded their walk at the Ver-o-Peso Market, which is considered the largest open-air market in Latin America. Here visitors learned about the popular dynamics that drive the local economy and observed how riverside life sustains the culture and food of Belém.
Located on the banks of the Guajará Bay, the market was founded in 1901 and, along with the Meat Market, is considered the largest open-air market in Latin America. In total, it extends across an architectural and landscape complex of 25,000 square meters, where the aforementioned historical buildings are located. In the corridors, vendors offer fish, fruits, açaí, herbs, spices, roots, “magical perfumes,” and artifacts of folklore that, according to local knowledge, cure all ills. The offerings also include many tropical fruits, such as muruci, pupunha, cupuaçu, and ingá, as well as chickens, fish, shrimp – both dried and fresh – and crab. In total, between 12 and 15 tons of fish are sold, many of them considered prized species, such as the pirarucu, known as the “cod of the Amazon.
Crossing the Guajará Bay
The ferry ride across Guajará Bay in Belém (PA) was a historic moment where participants from five continents sailed together in an act of unity, solidarity, and cultural connection. Boarding began with the contagious sound of carimbó music and the aroma of feijoada prepared to welcome the delegation. As the people boarded, Amazonian rhythms mingled with African beats and a diversity of accents from all parts of the planet.
At the front of the vessel, an inflatable world map floated on the water, symbolizing our common home, Earth, and reminding us that the planet we live on is one for everyone.
Beyond the vast Amazonian landscape, one of the highlights of the experience was the live musical performance of carimbó. This rhythm is a cultural expression of Indigenous and African origin, with a strong Caribbean influence, especially noticeable in the skirt and hip movements. Developed in the state of Pará, it is recognized as an important cultural heritage of Brazil and represents the combination of Indigenous, African, and Portuguese traditions, a vibrant celebration of Amazonian diversity.
The moment was marked by a mix of languages and stories, but also by a shared feeling: that of belonging to a global struggle against climate injustice and against the power of large corporations.
“We are building the world we want to live in, a world without imperialism, without racism, without capitalism. A world where the life of every person has value, anywhere on the planet,” stated Caitlin Schroering, from the United States, a member of the Solidarity Committee with MAB (Movement of People Affected by Dams).
She recalled that she was in Belém for the first time in 2008, for an international exchange program, and that since then she has observed important advances in the global articulation of social movements. “At that time, I learned about environmental colonialism. Today, I see that the same forces that exploit the Global South continue to operate, but I also realize that our collective organization has strengthened.”
Also among those participating was Miguel Artega, from Barcelona, a member of the Alliance Against Energy Poverty, who highlighted the educational and transformative nature of the meeting.
“It has been a great experience to learn about something new to me: understanding what the energy system is. The energy system is something that transcends governments and the global system. And this becomes critical when people don’t have the economic means to pay for electricity and water, and companies cut off service without offering any alternative,” he assessed.
He explained that the interaction with leaders from so many parts of the world is the highlight of the experience for him. “The most wonderful thing was meeting people from different countries, kind and caring, and learning about the system of each country, each organization, and also having this opportunity for such joyful interaction,” he added.
African Voices
Among the African representatives, the experience had a special meaning.
Iris Kashindi, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, explained that, for him, strengthening the international struggle for the social rights of the population is very important.
“It’s not the first time I’ve participated in spaces to discuss local community and climate justice. I’m part of the coordination for my community and I work in territorial monitoring. Being here is a great opportunity, because we have suffered for a long time from the impact of large dams, in various parts of the world, but especially in Africa. That’s why it’s so important for us to be together, combining forces and sharing experiences. MAR (Movement of People Affected by Dams) is an essential space for us to unite, defend our resources and fight together against dams and for the causes of climate justice,” he said.
Regarding the Amazonian immersion, he said that it provided the chance for everyone to get to know each other better and understand the cultural harmony that exists between the countries.
“It’s a very good energy for us. In Africa, we also have this type of music that we hear here; it’s not something new for us, especially because there’s a lot of synergy, right? The most important thing is to share this energy, work together, and create a collective dynamic. Food, dance, and joy are forms of cultural exchange. Here, I noticed, for example, that Brazilians cultivate rice differently than we do. These moments show the value of sharing knowledge, practices, and ways of life.”
His compatriot Louis Lukombo, a leader of the Ingá Communities (Central Congo), related African struggles to Latin American ones.
“For me, this meeting is very important because it allows us to share common difficulties, but also to exchange ideas, seek solutions, and experience cultural events that bring us closer together. This experience makes me reflect on possible solutions to the impacts of dams, which, although they have some utility, also bring many problems. We followed the Mariana disaster and came to offer our solidarity. In Africa, we suffer from the power of large corporations, the same ones that caused tragedies like this, and which today represent neocolonialist forces dominating our countries,” he stated.
He adds that the greatest power of the meeting is to show people from different continents that they are not alone in the struggle. “This exchange shows that there are many of us, in different places, living through similar situations. From this meeting, great ideas are being born. I want to understand how we can continue exchanging, learning, and strengthening each other. I congratulate the organizers of the event for this initiative,” he concluded.
While the boat crossed the Guajará Bay, people’s stories mingled with songs. It was more than a trip: “it was a symbolic crossing to a new world born from the encounter, the sharing, and the rebellion that runs in the veins of the rivers and the people,” says Caitlin.
Global Integration and Solidarity
For MAB (Movement of People Affected by Dams), the Amazonian experience synthesized the spirit of the IV International Meeting of People Affected by Dams and the Climate Crisis: to bring together people of different origins, strengthen ties, and project a common agenda.
“By promoting this type of activity, we reaffirm that the fight against dams and the climate crisis is not only technical or environmental, but political and human. Those affected from all over the world are showing that solidarity is the answer to the injustices imposed by capital and corporations,” highlighted Jaqueline Damasceno, a member of the event’s coordination team.
During the entire day, participants of the IV International Meeting got to know the city and the culture of Belém. Photos: Nívea Magno / MAB e Cida Pereira / MAB
The meeting takes place between November 7th and 12th in Belém (PA), and brings together social movements, popular organizations, and affected communities from around the world. The event is promoted by the Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB) and discusses the structural causes of the climate crisis, the role of transnational corporations in the energy sector, and alternatives built from within the territories.
