At Semillistas, we believe that restoring a forest isn’t just about planting seeds. It also involves nurturing the ideas, relationships, and words we use to build collective projects. The way we name reality influences how we understand it and, consequently, how we act to transform it.
With that conviction in mind, on June 29 we held an internal training session led by our colleague Javi titled “New Languages for Social Change: Trends and Concepts for Discussing Projects.” It was a participatory space for reflection and learning in which we explored some of the conceptual frameworks that are becoming increasingly relevant in the social and environmental spheres.
Throughout the session, we addressed issues such as the difference between the social economy, the third sector, and nonprofit organizations, reflecting on what characterizes each and what their role is in social transformation. We also delved into the human rights approach, incorporating concepts such as rights-holders and organizations that safeguard those rights—a perspective that is changing the way many projects are designed and communicated.
The session also opened the door to topics related to participation in digital environments, the significance of free software, the possibilities of so-called data spaces, and some initiatives that seek to democratize the development and use of artificial intelligence through cooperative and open models.
Beyond the content, the meeting was an opportunity to share questions, experiences, and points of view among those of us who are part of Semillistas. We view ongoing training as an essential tool for continuing to grow as an organization and for improving the way we carry out our projects in forest restoration, citizen participation, and land stewardship.
In addition, the session was recorded and is now available for viewing online. Sharing knowledge is part of our understanding of collaborative work: the more accessible it is, the greater its ability to inspire new projects and strengthen collaborative networks.
