Interview of Austreberta Luján, Chatino Indians Community, Oaxaca region in Mexico

Production and consumption of organic Jamaica coffee of quality according to principles of solidarity economy.

Chilo Villareal, Januar 2004

In anderen Sprachen : français - Español

I. What is the main goal of your economic activity?

Production and Marketing of organic quality jamaica

II. Are you engaged in a DIFFERENT economy? How does it differ from the dominant economy?

It differs in that it benefits small producers, the Solidarity economy that pursues the common good. Without exploitation.

III. What does ABUNDANCE mean to you? Is material abundance an aim or the means to achieve something else? What is that something else?

Abundance is having means of production and having a stable job, having communication, freedom, democracy, etc.

IV. What VALUES do you and your fellow workers put into practice in your daily life and in your work? Is it possible, in your opinion, for these values to become the predominant values of society as a whole? How can they be mainstreamed?

The values we put into practice are organized cooperative labor, mutual aid, responsibility, commitment to the community, loyalty, participation and honesty.

V. What innovations have you developed in terms of organization, management and appropriation of the fruits of labor?

The participation of directors in administrative activities, the participation of members in consensual decision-making in General Meetings.

VI. Do you think working in solidarity networks or in solidarity production chains is important? What are these in your opinion?

Yes, I believe it’s important. A solidarity network is a group of people or organizations who have committed themselves to support each other in product promotion and trade, in seeking common benefits and solutions to the problems that arise. This requires an adequate knowledge of the products and of the organizations.

VII. Does your activity influence the life of the community? How and in which spheres?

Yes, it influences training to produce better and enhance product quality, it influences by generating economic resources from the sale of products at a just price, and by creating new jobs.

VIII. What is work in your experience? What’s its value and meaning in life?

Work is all the activities that I perform within a project towards my own improvement and that of others. To me it means: livelihood, satisfaction, realization, dedication, love…

IX. What role do WOMEN play in a cooperation and solidarity-oriented economic initiative?

Women play a predominant role, because they are more sensitive to needs, because of their perceptiveness, creativity, consistency, greater endurance.

X. How can public policies and the State contribute to the advancement of a Socio-Economy of Solidarity?

Acquiring the awareness, language and spirit of the Socio-Economy of Solidarity. Providing material and economic means, logistics, personnel, funds, etc.

XI. Do you believe the globalization of cooperation and solidarity is possible? How can it become a reality?

By becoming increasingly involved not only in words but in action, through our experiences

Sources :

Vision workshop of the WSSE

See also: