The formative workshop for the integral development of the community took place at the learning center of “ICHIMEAME” Creel, Chihuahua on the 23th and 27th of March 2006. The main objective was to train new ideas, to both personnel from our office and the indigenous consultants & traditional authorities related to the forest. Also we should be conscious to it’s many derived benefits, and to the attention they so deserve. This meeting came about with the assistance of 45 indigenous men and women from the four ethnic groups from the Sierra Tarahumara.

This workshop is divided into five projects which are to be conducted in the coming months of June, July, September & November of this year. The modality of the workshop is to create knowledgeable individuals who will expand their acquired expertise to the respective areas.

The first Project which was recently completed consisted of the following themes:

• Exchange personal experiences, know one another, and to be aware of what the forest both offer us & provoke us (joy or fears).

• We dwelled on the attainable based on three basic principles such as social, economic, and environmental.

• We elaborated on four Basic questions:

a) What actions can we alone par-take in?
b) In what particular areas do we need to be trained?
c) What is it that were going to do, and do we need outside help in doing so?
d) What is it that we cannot accomplish, even with help from institutions?

• Three projects submitted by the participating members under “FODAS” were carefully analyzed.

• An outline was formatted on the coming projects which are to be held in the near, midway, and long run.

• List of activities to be accomplished between both men & women in their respective communities.

• We discussed on how to accomplish a workable plan which will be indicative to:

a) Territorial structure.
b) Reforestation.
c) Agrofostería.
d) Agrosilvopastoril.
e) Lombricultura.

In addition to the scheduled themes, two other conferences were held covering:

1. Forestal matters.
2. Care and conservation of the local cattle herds.

The main themes that were covered in the training courses conducted by Dr. Beatriz Azarcoya were the following:

Technical subjects

• Territorial structure
• Reforestation
• Forestal Economy
• Forestal technology
• Agroforestería
• Agrosilvopastoril
• Agroecología
• Organic Agriculture
• Ecotécnias
• Water Harvest
• Manejo de escurrimientos
• Micro-bowls
• Apparatus “A”
• Curvas a Nivel
• Terrazas de formación lenta
• Terrazas de media luna
• Lombricultura
• Fertilization Production
• Iron-works

Methodology

• Concept of process
• Initial contact
• Diagnostic participants
• Planification participants
• Evaluation participants
• Genertic analysis
• Genertic focus
• Genertic perspective

Subjects on technics & working tools

• Opened history
• Unabridged history
• Analysis of concentrated modes
• Seasonal Calendar
• Binominal Problem/Solution
• Binominal Teaching/Learning
• Binominal Planning/Evaluation
• 360º Analysis
• Transitions

With these conferences the first project came to a close, leaving the remaining four to be later attained.

The workshop was conducted by Dr. Beatriz Azarcoya: external consultant for the “Organización de las Naciones Unidas de la FAO” and the program for the development of PNUD; General Director for the “Fundación Agra y Médico Ambiente A.C.; educated in Columbia, Bolivia and the “Universidad Autónoma de México” and “Santo Domingo” in Puerto Rico.

The doctor is the author of the following books:

- Medicinal Plants.
- Ladera Horticulture.
- An Experience of the SARAR Methodology in Forestry.

This training will contribute to fortify the necessary tools that are required in answering the objectives set forth by the program “Manos a la Obra” brought about by the governor for the forestal region.

In conclusion, I’d be grateful in that this task be implemented and accepted by the citizens of Chihuahua.