The socio-economic and environmental impact of the north-south migration in the Valley of Longevity, Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
Institutional Affiliation
Associate Professor, DCRS, NSU
Start Date
3-11-2023 2:30 PM
End Date
3-11-2023 4:00 PM
Proposal Type
Panel
Proposal Format
Virtual
Proposal Description
The socio-economic and environmental impact of the north-south migration phenomenon in the Valley of Longevity, Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
This panel results from the collaboration among researchers that were part of the DCRS, Ecuador Global Practicum on Sustainable Development and Conflict. The research site for these experiences was the Valley of Vilcabamba in Ecuador. The authors hope that the four presentations will provide a better understanding of the conflict between north-south dynamics and ways to empower the local communities to protect their natural resources and culture, to maintain their sustainable livelihoods system in the midst of globalization.
The following researchers have co-authored this panel:
Elena Bastidas, Associate Professor, DCRS, NSU
Gwendolyn Smith, POF Foundation, (NSU Alum)
Jennifer Lawer, Penn State University (NSU Alum)
Peter Kent, Doctoral Candidate, DCRS, NSU
Veronica Chin, Doctoral Candidate, DCRS, NSU
Nykolus Alvut, Doctoral Student, DCRS, NSU
Meghan Frank, Doctoral Student, DCRS, NSU
Jennifer Schneider, Doctoral Student, DCRS, NSU
Andrew Duffy, Doctoral Student, DCRS, NSU
Damaris Hall, Doctoral Student, DCRS NSU
The four presentations investigate:
- The sustainable livelihoods system of the Valley of Vilcabamba: A stakeholder and baseline study.
- The theoretical and ideological frameworks of north-south migration phenomenon: The Case of the Valley of Longevity, Ecuador..
- Social cartography, a participatory research methodology to engage stakeholders in the exploration and transformation of conflicts; and
- The evaluation and potential impact of a women's microfinance program to improve the lives of the poorest families in the valley.
The study is in the Valley of Vilcabamba, Ecuador, also known as the Valley of Longevity. A small quaint town in the south of the Ecuadorian Andes filled with "good vibes" and scenic landscapes. The area has a temperate climate year-round, rich vegetation, and good food sources, and the water is rich in minerals. This unique combination makes Vilcabamba an increasingly desirable place to live for not only native Ecuadorians but individuals from many other parts of the world and varying walks of life. Historically, the native people of Vilcabamba have traditionally lived up to 110 years old. Some of the factors which are believed to contribute to their longevity of life include the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables, which make up a dominant portion of their diet; the use of the local river as a water source for both drinking and bathing; the daily exercise that is part of their agricultural activities, and an environment that encourages a stress-free and worry-free lifestyle. Since the early 80s, the news of Vilcabama has spread internationally, and today, over 2000 people worldwide have made this small town their home of choice. Among retirees, Vilcabama is considered one of the most desirable locations. Several social, environmental, and economic factors draw them to this unique location.
The sustainable livelihoods system of the Valley of Vilcabamba: A stakeholder and baseline study
The first presentation provides the context and background of the study. Using the Sustainable Livelihoods System Framework (DFID, 2001), the researchers analyze the different capitals -human, natural, financial, social, and physical- of the different stakeholders in the area. The analytical framework helps order complexity and clarifies the many factors that affect livelihoods. The people-centered analysis begins with the simultaneous investigation of people's assets, their livelihood outcomes, and their strategies to achieve these objectives. This information is used in a stakeholder analysis that serves as a baseline study of this multilayer case.
The theoretical and ideological frameworks of north-south migration phenomenon: The Case of the Valley of Longevity, Ecuador.
The second presentation positions the study within the north-south migration body of literature. It illustrates key factors that impact conflict in the global north-south migration through the theory lenses. Transnational gentrification and assimilation theories provide the theoretical framework for analyzing the case study. In addition, the researchers developed a new theory for examining the migration patterns relevant to the situation in Vilcabamba, which they characterize as 'retro-colonialism.' Retro-Colonialism examines specific lifestyle migration motives and their influence on the conflict situation.
Social cartography, a participatory research methodology to engage stakeholders in the exploration and transformation of conflicts.
The third presentation provides an overview of the participatory research methodologies used in this case study. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of social cartography. Social cartography is an approach to reaching a better understanding of the self-defined goals and aspirations of local communities and, at the same time, fostering mutual learning. The team not only used social cartography to collect and analyze information for this research, but they also evaluated the methodology on its potential for providing conflict resolution practitioners with a participatory tool that helps explore conflict situations while engaging with local communities and discovering diverse ways of uncovering positions and interest and reaching a mutual understanding therefore, facilitating the resolution, management or transformation of conflicts.
The evaluation and potential impact of a women's microfinance program to improve the lives of the poorest families in the Valley of Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
Finally, the team uses a gendered political ecology conceptual framework (MERGE, 1999) to evaluate the potential of a women's microfinance program that will focus on improving the lives of the poorest families in the valley. The logic of the conceptual framework covers the prospects for community participation in development projects, conditioning, and limiting factors, the relevance of gender for successful and equitable management of resources, and the importance of learning processes and institutional strategies for project sustainability.
The socio-economic and environmental impact of the north-south migration in the Valley of Longevity, Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
The socio-economic and environmental impact of the north-south migration phenomenon in the Valley of Longevity, Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
This panel results from the collaboration among researchers that were part of the DCRS, Ecuador Global Practicum on Sustainable Development and Conflict. The research site for these experiences was the Valley of Vilcabamba in Ecuador. The authors hope that the four presentations will provide a better understanding of the conflict between north-south dynamics and ways to empower the local communities to protect their natural resources and culture, to maintain their sustainable livelihoods system in the midst of globalization.
The following researchers have co-authored this panel:
Elena Bastidas, Associate Professor, DCRS, NSU
Gwendolyn Smith, POF Foundation, (NSU Alum)
Jennifer Lawer, Penn State University (NSU Alum)
Peter Kent, Doctoral Candidate, DCRS, NSU
Veronica Chin, Doctoral Candidate, DCRS, NSU
Nykolus Alvut, Doctoral Student, DCRS, NSU
Meghan Frank, Doctoral Student, DCRS, NSU
Jennifer Schneider, Doctoral Student, DCRS, NSU
Andrew Duffy, Doctoral Student, DCRS, NSU
Damaris Hall, Doctoral Student, DCRS NSU
The four presentations investigate:
- The sustainable livelihoods system of the Valley of Vilcabamba: A stakeholder and baseline study.
- The theoretical and ideological frameworks of north-south migration phenomenon: The Case of the Valley of Longevity, Ecuador..
- Social cartography, a participatory research methodology to engage stakeholders in the exploration and transformation of conflicts; and
- The evaluation and potential impact of a women's microfinance program to improve the lives of the poorest families in the valley.
The study is in the Valley of Vilcabamba, Ecuador, also known as the Valley of Longevity. A small quaint town in the south of the Ecuadorian Andes filled with "good vibes" and scenic landscapes. The area has a temperate climate year-round, rich vegetation, and good food sources, and the water is rich in minerals. This unique combination makes Vilcabamba an increasingly desirable place to live for not only native Ecuadorians but individuals from many other parts of the world and varying walks of life. Historically, the native people of Vilcabamba have traditionally lived up to 110 years old. Some of the factors which are believed to contribute to their longevity of life include the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables, which make up a dominant portion of their diet; the use of the local river as a water source for both drinking and bathing; the daily exercise that is part of their agricultural activities, and an environment that encourages a stress-free and worry-free lifestyle. Since the early 80s, the news of Vilcabama has spread internationally, and today, over 2000 people worldwide have made this small town their home of choice. Among retirees, Vilcabama is considered one of the most desirable locations. Several social, environmental, and economic factors draw them to this unique location.
The sustainable livelihoods system of the Valley of Vilcabamba: A stakeholder and baseline study
The first presentation provides the context and background of the study. Using the Sustainable Livelihoods System Framework (DFID, 2001), the researchers analyze the different capitals -human, natural, financial, social, and physical- of the different stakeholders in the area. The analytical framework helps order complexity and clarifies the many factors that affect livelihoods. The people-centered analysis begins with the simultaneous investigation of people's assets, their livelihood outcomes, and their strategies to achieve these objectives. This information is used in a stakeholder analysis that serves as a baseline study of this multilayer case.
The theoretical and ideological frameworks of north-south migration phenomenon: The Case of the Valley of Longevity, Ecuador.
The second presentation positions the study within the north-south migration body of literature. It illustrates key factors that impact conflict in the global north-south migration through the theory lenses. Transnational gentrification and assimilation theories provide the theoretical framework for analyzing the case study. In addition, the researchers developed a new theory for examining the migration patterns relevant to the situation in Vilcabamba, which they characterize as 'retro-colonialism.' Retro-Colonialism examines specific lifestyle migration motives and their influence on the conflict situation.
Social cartography, a participatory research methodology to engage stakeholders in the exploration and transformation of conflicts.
The third presentation provides an overview of the participatory research methodologies used in this case study. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of social cartography. Social cartography is an approach to reaching a better understanding of the self-defined goals and aspirations of local communities and, at the same time, fostering mutual learning. The team not only used social cartography to collect and analyze information for this research, but they also evaluated the methodology on its potential for providing conflict resolution practitioners with a participatory tool that helps explore conflict situations while engaging with local communities and discovering diverse ways of uncovering positions and interest and reaching a mutual understanding therefore, facilitating the resolution, management or transformation of conflicts.
The evaluation and potential impact of a women's microfinance program to improve the lives of the poorest families in the Valley of Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
Finally, the team uses a gendered political ecology conceptual framework (MERGE, 1999) to evaluate the potential of a women's microfinance program that will focus on improving the lives of the poorest families in the valley. The logic of the conceptual framework covers the prospects for community participation in development projects, conditioning, and limiting factors, the relevance of gender for successful and equitable management of resources, and the importance of learning processes and institutional strategies for project sustainability.