Nomads Shield

8/3/2019 Nomads Shield

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Every day, the signals become more clear and more difficult to ignore: tsunamis, hurricanes anatural disasters are reactions to the radical transformation that humanity exerts on the planet

such a degree, that the survival of humanity and other species is threatened.

ace is not a destination, it’s rather a way of life that has to be perused through our good actiontowards one self, other human beings, other creatures

and essentially with our earth which gives us life.

s imperative that we realize the importance of these signals so we can take the necessary stepsglobal community towards making significant actions to counterbalance the obstacles that cha

lenge us.

The predominant development system deforests, contaminates, extracts natural resources excessively resulting in catastrophic environmental consequences.

At the same time societies seem to be submerged in a hypnotic inertia, in which the necessary changes needed to revert these tendencies seem to be ignored.

change in the global conscience is imminent so that we can stop destroying the Earth that we litogether upon with all the other living creatures.

s towards this change that Nomads United was born in order to facilitate the changes that needppen, forming a mounted legion of ecological pacifists who are guided by a desire to open peop

eyes to the importance of living in harmony with nature and other sentient beings.



Section AIntroduction.

he Environmental Crisis Global Warming,

A convenient business Global Cooling

Section BAbout Us

What difrentiates us Mission

Methodology Vission

Achievements Organically around the World

A Breif History In Mexico

Section CActive Projects

Reforestation Festivals EcoltureCultural Diversity programs

EconscienceIntegral environmental education

Section DUpcoming Projects

Pathsways Towards Sustainability Animal Salvation League

Contents



Seccion A

Introduction

The Environmental CrisisGlobal warmingA convenient Business

Global Cooling



IntroductionAs it stands right now, our chances of living comfortably in peace with the world in thefuture is diminishing at an alarming rate.This peace will not be in our futures if we don’t pave a road towards it now, forging it with good deeds towards fellow human beings, other life forms, and especially towards the mother earth to which we owe our very lives.

It is imperative that we recognize and respect these fundamental connections so that theplace of humans in this world can be equalized, a vital factor that will allow us to takethe most affirmative action possible to overcome the obstacles that face us.

Since 1998, this group has been connecting with communities where horses have beenaccepted as part of the natural landscape, along ancient paths and roads in countries such as India, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and most recently in Mexico which offers a new and unique situation in its rich cultural and

biological diversity.The members of the caravan have committed themselves wholeheartedly to this particular way of life and travel in as an organic way as possible. We build, teach, learn, and communicate our message to those we meet in order to create a wave of environmental consciousness that is focused on re-shaping values by encouraging conscious reflectionof how our lives are lived. This we do within a context that recognizes the value of ethnic wisdom and the practical use of ones contemporary knowledge as we seek to fuse thearts, the sciences, and adventure.

We are agents of change and we carefully plant ourselves throughout the world so that in the future we can bare our fruit as solutions to the problems that we are witnessing in

our world today.The members of Nomads United are witnesses, guardians, and guides that shed light onto this road we are forging so that others can travel beside us with greater clarity and sense of direction. This is the first wave of this kind which has a force behind it that is so strong, it has the potential to touch people around the globe, filling their lives with a message of peace from alternative sustainable ways of living.

The messages we would like to leave others with, come from the knowledge of the group members and, more importantly, from the local people we meet along the way that havemuch to offer as eyewitnesses to the realities of everyday life. The diffusion of our mes-

sage is natural, appealing, congruent and harmonious, that with enough will and energy;we can promote conscious changes in order to ease the development of a healthier planet where the people in it are encouraged to have respect for all forms of life.

There are various projects that have been formed by the caravan in different areas of the world, from ecological to social and cultural development. All the aspects of theseprojects fit together integrally so that when combined, the power invested into this movement can give strength to the voice of nature in way that we have never heard before.



The environmental crisisThe progressive warming of the planet, deterioration of the ozone layer,ncreased rate of species extinction, degradation and destruction of natu- al resources, population increase, increasing poverty and illness, intercul- ural and ethnic violence”.

The urgency of these problems points towards one very important obliga- ion: that we need to resolve these problems as quickly as possible in the

most productive and effective manner possible. This objective must be car- ied out at all costs, entailing a generation of new ethics which is founded n promoting the growth and continuation of the diverse expressions of fe that surround us, in the process challenging our fellow people to try nd live within the ecological limits of the planet.

The reality that faces us is marked by enormous challenges that will put o the test the instruments we have at our disposal to implement innova- ive solutions to these manifested problems. There is much that needs to e done to slow, halt, and reverse these problems and they must be doneefore our land reaches a point where the damages done by the overuse of

ts resources is irreversible.We are spending natures capital much faster than what it is being gener- ted!.” - declares Claude Martin, General Director, WWF. In the report “Liv-

ng Planet Report2004” he also ads that human beings actually consume0% more natural resources than the land can naturally produce.

This same problem is also now affecting populations of freshwater and errestrial species, which have diminished an average of 40% between970 and 2000. With these numbers in mind, Mexico has been found to ave the fourth greatest piece of the pie in this destructive process of over onsumption (Jean-Francois Rischard, vice President of the World Bank for urope ).

Mexico has lost already 95% of its own tropical rain forests, 70% of its loud forests and 50% of the temperate forests that it once had. It has een officially calculated that through annual deforestation in Mexico ,he total area lost has reached the 600 thousand hectare mark, mainly of ropical forests, making Mexico 4th in the world with regards to the de- truction of forests and the wildlife within them.

Nomads United is a call to open people’s eyes, to awaken from the inactiv- ty and disinterest that our natures have now assumed because of theypnotic influence of media and highly materialistic contexts that most of

s are immersed in.

Our heads are stuck in the sand, making us ignore and forget the fact that we are heading towards a very dangerous scene, towards what could behe end of humanity as we know it.

We use the voice of the earth, as it seems that humanity needs clearer messages as the ones manifested by the changes in the natural patterns nd pursue alternatives in order to mobilize towards concrete actions that an protect the quality of all life on the planet, Now and for the future.



Global WarmingCarbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet naturalby trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a good thing because

keeps our planet habitable.However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing fo

ests we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in thEarth’s atmosphere and temperatures are rising.

The number of Category 4 and 5 hur-ricanes has almost doubled in the last

30 years.

Malaria has spread to higher altitudesin places like the Colombian Andes,

7,000 feet above sea level.

The flow of ice from glaciers in Green-land has more than doubled over the

past decade.

At least 279 species of plants and ani-mals are already responding to globalwarming, moving closer to the poles.

If the warming continues, wecan expect catastrophic con-

sequences.

Deaths from global warming willdouble in just 25 years -- to 300,000

people a year.

Global sea levels could rise by morethan 20 feet with the loss of shelf icein Greenland and Antarctica, devastat-

ing coastal areas worldwide.

Heat waves will be more frequent andmore intense.

Droughts and wildfires will occurmore often.

The Arctic Ocean could be ice free insummer by 2050.

More than a million species worldwide

could be driven to extinction by 2050.

The vast majority of scientists agree thglobal warming is real, it’s already happing and that it is the result of our activitand not a natural occurrence. The evidenis overwhelming and undeniable. We’re ready seeing changes. Glaciers are meltiplants and animals are being forced frotheir habitat, and the number of sever

storms and droughts is increasing.

There is no doubt we can solve this problIn fact, we have a moral obligation to d

so. Small changes to your daily routine cadd up to big differences in helping to stglobal warming. The time to come togeth

to solve this problem is now.

www.climatecrisis.net



A convenient business?Climate change information has been spread widely throughout the media, though still it seems as thealternatives offered to take action are being softened by how the consequences of appropriate actioncould affect the economy.

Global warming cant only be reverted by what type of light bulb we use or by minimizing energy consumption. It is greatly determined by our ways of development, what we consume, the way we cover theearth with asphalt and cement that traps heat as well, our support to the enormous chains of product

deliveries and corporations that overproduce and extract resources without measure, driven by an everincreasing demand, to which mostly results in a disproportional amount of waste that has very small chances of being reused.

These issues are usually not addressed seriously because it threatens financial institutions, it seems as we are not ready to make the most important decision to actually help reverse climate change, our lifestyles!.

As we are immersed in a corporate and profit ruled world, the outcome is that we are seeking to make profit out of this crisis, otherwise the incentives wouldn’t seem encouraging. Helping the environment acorporations is almost an ironic duality as we foster consumption, profit and ultimately competition ove

cooperation.

President Chirac in a statement said “We need a radical change to revert this scenario”, for a radical result we need to realize that at the bottom line thequestion is...

Are we ready to change our way of life, actually letting go on commodities, certain desires and actuallytake a responsible stance for the benefit of all.

ARE YOU?





Global CoolingMaking the world a cooler place for all! n this era it’s necessary to begin taking measures as a human raceto experiment new ways of development and evolution, so to createmore alternative ways of life.

Since the industrial revolution we have been using technology to

engthen our lives and make them more interesting and comfortable, eventually we have attained a mechanical frequency of life,the question is if we are stepping on natures limits in our growth, if we have become a predominant specie on this beautiful planet it’s time to take responsibility in reshaping our future, otherwise withour current pattern of expanding production and consumption, our evolution will be limited due to lack and degradation of it’s uniqueresources and diversity.

The determining factor in actually reversing climate lays in not only the lifestyle we live but on the values and aspirations of societies.

While most first world countries actually seek in acquiring morepossessions, developing countries are still struggling to meet basic demands and ambition to at least have a lifestyle idealized in themage of first world countries. If this is successful would mean that to have the whole population of the earth living like developed nations would imply that we would need several planets to sustain this scenario, the implications of this on the environment would be disas- trous!

So the question is what makes us legible in proclaiming that we aremarching for global cooling:

Lifestyle:Our way of life and movement becomes a living example of oneof the NGO’s with the smallest ecological footprint, we move withhorses, stick to a organic vegetarian diet, live and camp in naturetherefore we are not in the consumer race for accumulating products, we live and move with the minimum technology and materials to be happy, comfortable and active within a natural environment,n this way we hope to live according to the ideals we try to promote

through our workshops which are a reflection of our aspiring ideals.

Organic transport:Our movement is a living model of how we can live without using cars, nor fossil fuels, we portray the hardships of actually living innature with all the benefits and difficulties that this implies. We intend to demonstrate real communion with animals, nature and rural villages that are inaccessible to vehicles, we encourage the use and restoration of ancient paths and trails, ecovillages and the most of all the beauty and harmony that living and traveling in nature.



Reforesting Deforestation has grown to an alarming rate exceeding by far thindex of reforestations, which revitalize the health of the Earth combat climate change. Our innovative reforestations combinethe plantation of trees fused with a multicultural events and ecoworkshops on beautiful camping places that last from a few dayto several weeks. For more information check reforestation festprogram.

Educating and learning.We have the moral obligation and the responsibility to protect thenvironment for future generations. The importance of environmtal education is raising awareness and providing alternatives thcan inspire change . Our integral system of 7 stages combines ptical messages on environmental themes through dynamic cogniexperiences, music, theater, exciting creative activities and gamThis system produces a profound emotional impact awakening ecological and ethical values, understanding of natural processeempathy and co-responsibility towards the Earth and all its sentbeings.

many of these funds remain trapped in administrative expenses more information check Environmental education program.

ResearchIn coordination with universities and organizations we are creatprograms to responsibly and effectively help communities in thepath towards sustainability, water monitoring, seed dispersion, first ambulatory veterinarian organic clinics, ethno veterinary dbases and surveys among others.

Spreading the message.

Our cultural program has been active since1999, by creating peformances in countless villages in towns in America and Asia. Tprograms consist in providing multi-cultural shows in rural comnities.We play music in many languages and perform ethnic dances, fitwriling, clowns, horse acrobatics, juggling, theatre, puppets anmuch more… We seek to transmit Peace through our movementexemplifies how people from several countries, classes, races ancreeds that can be united with a common intention, transcendinlanguage barriers and customs, a tolerance between ethnic grou

a love for humanity amplified through songs that intend to inspiempathy and a spirit of union between all beings and the earth.For more information check cultural program.These programs are being propagated throughout broadcastingworks like Internet, TV, magazines and radio.In this way we hope to live according to the ideals we try to promthrough our workshops which are a reflection of our aspiring idals. Our methodology is an innovative, creative and direct approto try to solve sustainability issues in an integral way, by applyina diverse array of themes we seek to address these as a complexstructure with interconnected aspects that together can impulse

greater and lasting influence.



Seccion B

About usWhat makes us diffrent from other NGO’S

MissionMethodology

VissionAround the world an step at a time



About usNomads United is an organization that has crossed countries on horseback throughout the worsince1998, forming Organic multi-ethnic mounted pro-earth peace legions .Integrated by more than 300 people, from more than 30 nationalities, that collaborate, live anlearn to create a wave of environmental conscience, a social current, focused in stimulating vaof sustainability, through the several groups that ride through rural areas, to learn and contriinnovative solutions to the critical environmental conditions of the Earth.

The movement began as a romantic dream, though within time it became the biggest and mosculturally diverse horse caravan on the planet. It proves how a group of people from all over thworld, Arabs, Jews, Europeans, Americans, etc, could can be united with a common intention, byond the differences of races or beliefs. Not as an expedition, tour or competition but as a sysof nomadic organic communal life.

9 years have past since its birth and the movement continues growing and touching more remvillages, seeking to open the doors to change through reason and compassion, art and science,that we can attempt to see beyond the spaces that separates to us, harmonize humans among

animals and the Earth.

We go one organic step at a time, we organize events that are a mixture of ethnic music and des rescued from several countries, like Arab, African, Flamenco, dancers with fire torches, acrobatics with horses, clowns and everything to spark a festival of planetary sensations. The latescaravan began in Costa Rica in March of 2004, and it’s already more than 3 years since the cavan took on crossing rural Central America, stopping town by town, village by village bringing message of peace and ecology.

A day as any other is contrasted by the colorful parade of worldwide riders. Little villages wherpeople perhaps never had the chance to leave their country, are suddenly faced with represent

tives of distant nations, lands that many never heard mentioned, thus awakening them to theawareness of the differences and similitude among cultures.There are several projects that comprise this wave of conscience in different areas from ecologand social development, cultural interactions, which together form an integral holistic and nonluting campaign that seeks to address the root causes of environmental degradation without cing a negative impact on the environment.

Our nomadic life, organic and communal, is a powerful proposal for an alternative of a lifestylthat is constantly adapting to growth and change.We live by traveling with our horses, eating vegetarian food, and by touching others with musi

from around the world, dancing to it with fire. We share what we have, camp in a great varietylandscapes, and we take the time to thoroughly understand each place we visit, the people andcustoms, that under other circumstances remain hidden.We exchange our knowledge for the chance to experience different local traditions at the sametime we honor mother nature with all the strength of our spirits in order to protect her througour messages and actions.



How are we different!The lifestyle of its members portrays a balance with nature.The challenge to be freed from fossil fuels and certain habits present society which need to be changed aemonstrated through a different lifestyle.

Members are asked to personally evaluate and re-shape the ways they live in order to meet with that balnce in the shortest time, a necessary transformation process that must be addressed of the individuals articipating in the group.

We seek to achieve a greater unity with the message of ecological respect and in this way, we attempt to reate lifestyles that are not only free of harmful emissions but that also work towards spreading the meage to others so that changes can be encouraged and promoted.

This section is brought forward with the intention of shedding some light on the management and guide-nes of NGO groups in order to look closely and analyze some of the problems that are common to all ofy looking at their actions, the results and consequences, there can arise suggestions as to how the probems can be remedied.

Our comparisons through research on NGOs throughout the world, have found a number of common iss

hat are in need of attention:Many problems stem from the lack of knowledge and effective transmission of the messages found to bictated in their strategies, the sources of information and processes of research by which they receive cributions and how they are applied.

Most donated organizations usually provide information though mostly rely on third party organization xecute fieldwork or activities. Some of these funds remain trapped in administrative expenses.

Signing of petitions: This commonly used strategy rarely influences the decision of public figures. Evenhough it helps to inform the public, the simple signing of petitions does not necessarily inspire change.

ACT NOW ?, Although honorable in intent, the alternatives offered are still tied to the mechanism of pro

uction and consumerism, and rarely produce a significant change needed to revert the mentioned pro- esses.

Realistically, the mandates of most corporate based NGO groups are in a form that is incongruent to thections they intend to promote. For example: the members live in cities, they travel in cars and generally ave the same consumption and unsustainable ways of living that they criticize. Though many groups

make solid efforts to achieve an equilibrium its seems that those involved in certain organizations aremerely messengers rather than actors that seek to live according to the messages they promote.

Throughout the green movement we notice 2 clear distinctions between the corporate environmentalistsnd those ecological activists that apply their work to their way of life. We intend to transcend competitio

s the challenge is for all humans alike thus we need to foster cooperation among all NGO’s and institu- ons.

n our NGO, we seek to ensure that the members have the opportunity to actually live in coherence with rganizations vision of sustainability so that the experience of living these values gives them confidence

when giving this message. This organization proposes a continually evolving process of integrating otherNGO’s in order to generate a successful wave of action for creating greener world.We understand and sympathize with the problems encountered by NGO groups when they are faced withack of alternatives, but we strongly feel the need to illustrate how this problem can be overcome by meaf our way of life, which is a key factor leading us to successfully gain credibility among the communitiehat we seek to influence



Mission

Help to make the earth greener, promote peace and harmony among all living creatures...

Nomads United is a social and ecological project composed by a group of people fromaround the world, different ages, creeds, backgrounds and professions, that have beentraveling by horseback rural areas since 1998, implementing workshops, conferences,spectacles, ecological and cultural events with the following purposes:

*To serve as a bridge to connect cultures, bioregional networks, community networks and individuals around the world, promoting among them an ecological awareness and a healthy life that is harmonious in its relation to nature.

*We promote peace and sustainability for urban and rural communities with the intention of passing on messages of deep respect towards the earth and all creatures.

* To develop an organic and mobile communal system which cares in having a minimal environmental impact, and maximum positive environmental influence; where peopleof various interests, nationalities, ages, races and spiritual beliefs can share in their respect and desire to experience, learn, and spread alternative ways of life that aremore sustainable. At the same time develop technical and artistic abilities aimed toward transforming the world from a place of apathy to a place that has been cared for by the dedication of services for the planet.

*Help the global community to understand and fight climate change directly, throughreforestations, expositions, conferences and workshops..

*The creation and execution of an interdisciplinary approach to research programs and the development of ecological projects that transmit information among civil societies,rural communities, scientific institutions, non-governmental and governmental organizations that exist around the world.

*Promote, educate and support a trans-cultural nomadic community, with alternativeroutes, trails, and techniques for its sustainable development.



Methodology

Our methodology is an innovative, creative and direct approach to try to solve sustainability issues in aintegral way, by applying a diverse array of themes we seek to address these as a complex structure winterconnected aspects that together can impulse a greater and lasting influence.To carry out the objectives, the organization implements the following methods:

*Adopting the legally representing name of “Nomads United A.C”, registered in Coahuila state, Mexico oFebruary 22, 2006.

*The project consists of forming specialized groups in the areas of greater ecological impact who work together to co-design a path that connects to a network of e-communities that share resources, knowledge and a common goal. There are various projects that form part of the caravan, which are focused different areas from ecological to social and cultural development, all of which integrally conform to thsame purpose.

*We understand that our function as a mobile caravan gives us an advantage for certain tasks as well as it carries disadvantages by which many of the activities we perform are done much like other NGO

groups, requiring the participation of other institutions in order to be able to exercise an influence thatwill last in the communities and areas we pass through. This is done by creating a database that calls oother volunteers and students to monitor and execute the projects proposed by the organization.

*Our ideal vision is motivated by an attempt to devise high impact alternatives and unique projects whreducing the ecological impact on the areas as we travel while at the same time upholding an amusing and mobile environment. Added to this is a systematic evaluation of objective results. In this manner, bblending together science, art, and adventure, we have developed a dynamic method that articulates th5 projects, that we have put into action. There are other projects that can be activated in the measure oavailable economic and human resources are available. For this we have designed the Earth Shield Hipeproject that fuses our visions and proposals.An ideal response to the declaration of our vision because this essential aspect eases the creation of a more integral perspective to sustainable development projects.

*The rider caravan, made up of specialists from a diverse range of talents and academic branches, carout their purpose by offering proposals to each of the inhabitants of the territories we visit with an emphasis on cultural activities, which are pertinent to the sustainable development of its community. As- semblies are facilitated in which the same local inhabitants can be part of the decision making process,ensuring that the more urgent issues of their community are given due attention. The caravan also emphasizes the need to understand bioregional variances among communities. By doing all this, a databacan be created that will later be used in conjunction with estimates on the infrastructure of each projecand the profiles of the personnel required to carry them out.

*The enlarged database is put to use by organizations, universities, and networks of volunteers that caoffer suggestions and feedback on the progression of our social services so that the participation of thecaravan can be more suitably realized, continually adapting and modifying its projects. This is importaso that commissioned collections from donors and/or investors in these projects are given with the assuance that they will be used in the most beneficial and appropriate manners.

*We take much care to learn about the indigenous communities, making sure to promote cultural patrimony so that recognition and respect can be given to its customs, territories, spiritual beliefs, and ancient origins, in the process encouraging those in the communities we visit to maintain their native tradtions as well as inspiring them to establish links with other ancient communities and other groups that

are not-indigenous.



VisionWhen the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall comeunto the earth from many colors, classes, creeds, and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green again. They will be known as the warriors of the Rainbow .Old Native American Prophecy

This prophecy speaks of a reallity that we are currently experiencing, even though to make the earth green sounds utopic, as we are actually making the earth more grey everyday more.If Humanity has the capacity to turn it grey, it should hopefully also have the capacity to revert this process.

We would like through our projects to propose the foundations for an alternative system,that seeks cooperation instead of competition. Harmony among human beings and other creatures among nature.

We intend to promote and start more caravans all over the world, and lay the foundations for more strategically connected networks of sustainable communities, than in a closefuture could be one of the best and most durable ways to combat global warming, and improve our relationship with the planet, for the ultimate benefit of all.

Through the comunication networks we promote a more sustainable, natural and less consumeristic way of life, that through our activities and our productions we hope to impulse a wave of environmental awareness that is just waiting to be activated, specially inoverdevelopped countries that are suffering the consequences of enviromental and spiritual degradation.

The caravan started as a dream and a vission, many years have passed and this initiativehas touched thousands of communities and has radically transformed the lives and values of countless people that have passed through the caravan.

We are all responsible of the construction of a new enchanting reality.

The World as you dream it,The dream as you make it!



AchievmentsWe have crossed Ecuador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala eniterly on horses as well as large parts ofIndia, Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico. Promoting environmental awareness, groups of individuals from many nationalities united living in a more sustainable compassionate way of life. Resulting in thebiggest and most culturally diverse horse caravan in the world, as well as a pioneering, original peaceand ecological movement.

Throughout the years we developped a system and a model of a non-polluting eco-community that

moves on horses, supports art, adventure, community life, tolerance among cultures, developping a reaand profound relationship and empathy towards animals and the earth.

Influencing and transforming the lives of hundreds of people who have taken part in the caravan, and local communities where we create activities, demonstrating a new approach on how to live with and treat animals through personal, interdependent and caring relationships.

Researched and developped custom made durable equipment for extensive horse journeys, as well as testing extensively new technologies, in order to prevent avoidable damage on horses, as well as facilitating horse shoeing and animal care workshops.

Creating and promoting an alternative to tourism, replacing cars, buses and restaurants, by horses,

tents and a mobile community life, marking the cross country trails that can be used as camping nodesor horse traveling routes, as well as revitilizing and maintaining ancient trails.

Recording the journeys and activities in 160 hours of video in several formats.

In 2006 UNAM, The most reknown university in Latin America has accepted Nomads United as a part oftheir alternatives as part of the curicular activities involving community outreach. Through this program we started a new phase where we are integrating our programs with interdiciplinary academcis,where we can create research programs and help communities on thier path towards sustainability.

Agents of Change, an initiative launched by MTV and the Interamerican bank of development has chose

NU, among thousands of initiaves proposed and will be aired on MTV during 2007.

Along the years we started creating more programs to help influence a positive change, as a result andthrough time and learning we created these original initiatives. For more information on these themes please consult the active projects section.

Item* India1999

Ecuador2000

Peru2001-3

C.Rica2004

Guatemala2005

Mexico2005-7

Communities** 25 69 94 41 52 62

Eculture 10 3 17 7 7 24

Econscience 7 5 8 14

Reforestations 3*We crossed Nicaragua and Honduras though the Data is still being of gathered.

**Not Counting the communities visited along the way.

Nomads United has allways caught media attention and appeared on several instances on Television,radio and magazines. On 2006 UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program) has published in 25 newpapers in latin america on NU and our environmental programs.

After several years and experience we are ready to expand our movement to influence more communities with new and more effective workshops to promote sustainability through a wave of ecological awareness. (See future projects)



The role of the horses. Being dependant on petrol has been one of the mayor problems of the era, Ngo’s, peace movements still use this resource for carrying their activities which in a way contradicts with their mission, a crucial point that differentiates us.In Central and South America, India and other agricultural based countries, horses have long been utilized for transportation,cargo and farm work.Even today many people still rely on horses to work, and movefrom place to place. It’s through these areas that we try to find our path, were we can sit at the same level as the locals and talk to them about their animals and show them how we treat themand why. The horses are an integral part of the group, and their well-being is vital to the mission. We are able to visit towns and villages otherwise inaccessible, and the people we meet offer a respect that tourists on noisy buses or anthropologists in fancy cars rarely receive. A horse seems to break down barriers of

culture and skin-color because it is a commonality with which thevillagers identify.We carry little, so as not to load the animals down with unnecessary weight, and in this way, we create another similarity between ourselves and the inhabitants of remote villages, furthermore, through the sincere way we care for the animals, wedemonstrate a level of respect for all things.

Horseshoeing has always been a major attraction for rural work- ers, people in different countries have different techniques, tools and are usually very interested in learning about the subject. We

are also looking forward on implementing the first organic veterinarian ambulatory clinics, and a ethnoeveterinarian databasethat traces traditional medicines. We also test innovative gear like special horse shoes, and horse boots, saddles and we havedeveloped our own line of saddle bags, cargo bags, saddles and accessories.When we purchases a horse, the animal is often sick, frustrated or hurt. We find that the method of many horse owners is to continually punish them, which creates a fearful and conflictiverelationship. We seek horses that want to run, or that have a lot of energy, those with a great passion and motivation to keep going forward, in this way we don’t punish them, instead of having to force them to move forward, we use their competitiveness and excitement and usually we need to use our energy to stop them.We get off their backs on steep hills, or when they are tired. Wefoster a truly compassionate and caring relationship, we seek to not force or dominate, but suggest and conform as we live a truly symbiotic partnership with our horses, we feed them, cure their diseases and groom them.Within time most riders encounter a truly loving and caring relation and compassionate understanding that extends to other

creatures and the surrounding environment.



Organically around the world. The movement began in 1998, in Ecuador, where a Swiss, a Belgian, Japanese and an Israelidiscovered the wonders of equestrian exploration in their way towards Peru. This experienceextended to India, where a group of 15 people, from different parts from the world, came toRajasthan, through dances, music and a portable computer that was laid as offering to theking of Dunlod; we received camels and carts to direct us in a pilgrimage towards Vrndavan

(the holy city of 5000 temples). “The trip was amazing, though temperatures soared to 45° Cthe water was scarce and dirty. The adventure was without equal, full of mystery, danger anhumor where the shining colors of the Hindu garments would contrast with the deserted lanscape of mystic Rajasthan. Well known for her old temples and palaces, where we exchangedour multi ethnic music and dance with the locals.”



Brief historyE In the year 2000 a new caravan was formed in Ecuador; a new group of riders was arranged to taka challenge to cross this country by horse. The adventurers had little to no experience. Custom saddlbags were designed to take the provisions and the rest of the load that 19 horses that originated fromdifferent parts of the north of Ecuador were summoned to undertake. The challenge was to cross through jungles, volcanoes, rivers and old footpaths. “Between the Andean mountain ranges and theAmazon, we began at 3500 ms of height and descended to 400 ms in 2 weeks to an incredible tropicfruit farm where there were hundreds of exotic fruits from all over the world, soon we climbed to 40

ms crossing the Sangay national park, we continued along the volcano avenue, we arrived at 5200 mthe Altar volcano that accommodated a lagoon in its crater where an incredible cascade left us hypntized by this majestic scenery…”. The trip lasted 7 months and more than 30 people participated, evetually we laid the foundations to create a system of communal nomadic life.

In the year 2001 we began in the south of Ecuador, and headed towards the Peruvian border dividedby a river. 15 horses crossed swimming towards the new country. We rode through Kuelap, located ithe middle of the North Andean mountain range, this mystical secret monument is 5 times greater ththe well known Machu Pichu, constructed by the Incas. An immense fort standing firm, strategically ithe middle of the great mountain range of northern Peru. After arriving to Chachapoyas we descendtowards the Peruvian Amazon to submerge in the tropical nature and learn from an ethnological phe

nomenon, a mysterious racial influence, that shows us that the first in arriving to the continent wereactually a group of Celtic barbarians that colonized the area early in the XIII century. Proof of this win a cave known as the cave of the secret, located high up in the mountain.When we noticed the contaminated condition of the rivers, we reacted and organically began to preseour views on the environmental situation to the kids that would think that we descended from the skyresponsibility to pass on the message was born to prevent this terrible consequence.Crossing Peru took to us more than 30 months and more than 40 people participated in this challeng

journey where the abysmal summits of the Andes and their interminable hills required an optimal phcal condition: “… Sometimes we spent all the day climbing in steep ascents to cross between mountaiit was difficult to find grass for so many horses in these areas. Often we saw ourselves at the slim edof death when we moved through the Andean footpaths, with scary precipices where any false step cbe the end of our life. As we climbed or descended, the transition of altitudes changed the nature aro

us, it was a subtle, but very intense experience to be able to directly perceive the change of the faunaand flora, the climate and the air, the attitude of the people and their customs, a transcendental edution.”

In year 2003 a caravan in Brazil was created that began in Trancoso, Bahia and united 11 people to travel to Minas Gerais state: “… the trip was hard and warm. The country suffered of a great conflictland divisions among the locals, which did not help the expedition.”

In the year 2004 we began the journey in Costa Rica at the world rainbow gathering for peace, wesought to take the peace message towards the north, beginning in a country without army, that is to say, an example for the rest of the world, a peace example that had to be dispersed.We gathered more than 30 people. “Horses of diverse regions were obtained and people who already some environmental focus or artistic talent came together.” In this caravan we made a stronger focuthe environmental side. We also created projects to support this concern; already more than 90 peophave gone through the group that crossed Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and now Mexico.

We live in a world created without borders, but nevertheless we divided it for diverse reasons, througour movement we hope to prove how different ethnic tribes and animals can live in harmony and benfrom their differences. Traveling on horses allows the seeker to reach an emotional release, the poweshare an incomparable feeling of freedom, though it needs to be maintained with boundless energy, and affection in order to create a true symbiotic relation with the horse, up to a point where one reaca point of no return, where one is lost in the never ending horizon in pursuit of the root of the rainbo



Section C Current Projects

Reforestation Festivals

Ecolture

Econscience



Why reforest

Reforestations are essential activities to help revi-

talize the health of the Earth and combat climatechange. Today around the world the deforestationhas grown to an alarming rate exceeding by far the index of reforestations, this brings catastrophic consequences to the atmosphere as well as for other organisms that’s depend on these forests for habitat..We have but a short time to avert damaging and economically debilitating climate change. We also have all the economic, intellectual and technological know-how to head off this calamity and avoid the

disruption and misery that inaction would entail.The solutions are numerous and, as many econo- mists say, affordable when compared with the costs of complacency. Globally, forest cover is at least one-third less than what it once was. It is time to reverse the trends, it is time to act.Climate change confronts us now. There is no longer conjecture or debate around an abstract or hypo- thetical future. We need action. We need to plant trees and in doing so send a signal to the corridors of political power across the globe that the watching and waiting is over — that countering climatechange can take root via one billion small but significant acts in our gardens, parks, countryside and rural areas.Achim Steiner, Executive Director United Nations Environment Programme

”The question is not whether climate change is hap- pening but whether, in the face of this emergency,we ourselves can change fast enough”

Kofi annan. General secretary, UN



Our re orestat on programs.

Our innovative reforestations combine the plantationof trees fused with a multicultural events, workshops in temporary ecologically friendly living spaces that

last from a few days to several weeks.

This promotes reforestation events not only as necessary duty of each individual to combat climate change,but coordinating a culturally appealing, attractive and

fun activity for youth. Through the reforestations and creative activities and workshops we intend to generate a deep and lasting effect, as much for the local

communities as well as for the participants and simul- taneously create a forest or of fruit jungle that canalso help as nutritious source of food of the communities, as well as to absorb carbon dioxide emissions

which are exceeding on our planet.

Another key point is the life and direct experience of participating in a ecological community with all the

benefits and complications that this carries, thus also promoting ecovillage living and a more sustainablelifestyle. Subjects are raised among consensus and

facilitation, distribution of tasks to be able to maintaina harmonically working community as well promoting

principals to respect the environment.

Each person when entering to the event must sign inagreement to a letter of terms conditions that is provided upon entry, in this way the basic concepts of

communitarian life are established and the people areinformed of basic notions of how to behave in the environment preventing that the space does not suffer of

negative ecological effects.

We use horses to transport the baby trees to their location minimizing our carbon emissions. The event is non-commercial, the event is free for all and vegetar-

ian food is provided in exchange for the plantation of a prefixed number of trees.

We consider essential to compliment the reforestations with environmental education initiatives thus helping raise awareness of the importance of planting trees

and conservation. We work together with governmental and nongovernmental organization to help monitor

the trees.

We also organize plantations in schools accompanied by the students, in this case we prefer to plant fruit

trees which also helps the students to have fresh fruits right in school, this being specially very beneficial in

low income villages.



emporary ecovillage habitat.articipants have the opportunity to offer workshops with a cultural or ecological focus, like for emple: Acoustic Music, permaculture, cob brick building, African Dance, collective Intelligence, consus and facilitation, handcrafts from recycled materials, Horse maintenance and care, temasweat lodge), Maya calendar, African percussion, yoga, martial arts and capoeira

order to be able to live in this communal space that hosts a considerable amount of people, it ecessary to distribute the work equitably. For that reason we created the energetic administratat equilibrates workload. Which is vital in successfully maintain an organic community in a na

al context.

Bellow are invitation posters for reforestation events that took place in Mexico.



Our Cultural programs

We seek to transmit Peace through our movement that

exemplifies how people from several countries, classes,races and creeds that can be united with a common

intention, transcending language barriers and customs,a tolerance between ethnic groups, a love for humanity amplified through songs that intend to inspire empathy

and a spirit of union between all living beings and mother earth.

The cultural programs consist in providing multi-cultural shows in rural communities, we play music in many

languages and perform ethnic dances, fire twriling;

clowns, horse acrobatics and much more… thus promoting cultural diversity and constructing cultural bridges,which also helps generate confidence and acceptancebetween us and the communities, opening the doors to

other environmental projects.

Between the musical themes and acts, ecological messages are transmitted, that touch subjects as global warming, the importance of the recycling, care for

animals, water and the conservation of forests and most

clearly the tolerance among cultures, which is modeled through the diverse cultures that integrate thecaravan for example Arabs and Jews.

Our cultural program has been active since1999, and has created performances in countless villages in towns in America and Asia, being a movement with great cultural diversity since it has artists ranging from many countries, all united, dispersing the messages of peace

and love for humanity and nature.



Excerpts from UNESCO Declaration oncultural diversity. Paris 2/11 2001

ARTICLE 1Cultural diversity: the common heritage of humanity.Culture takes diverse forms across time and space.This diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the identities of the groups and societies

making up humankind.As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity,cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is thecommon heritage of humanity and should berecognized and affirmed for the benefit of

present and future generations.

ARTICLE 2 From cultural diversity to cultural pluralism.In our increasingly diverse societies, it is essential to ensure harmonious interaction among people and groups with plural, varied and dynamic cultural identities as well as their willingness to live together. Policies for the inclusion and participation of all citizens are guarantees of social cohesion, the vitality of civil society and peace.Thus defined, cultural pluralism gives policy expression to the reality of cultural diversity.Indissociable from a democratic framework, cultural pluralism is conducive to cultural exchange and to the flourishing of creative capacities that sustainpublic life.

ARTICLE 6 Towards access for all to cultural diversity.While ensuring the free flow of ideas by word and image care should be exercised that all cultures can express themselves and make themselves known.Freedom of expression, media pluralism, multilingualism,equal access to art and to scientific and technological knowledge, including in digital form,and the possibility for all cultures to have access to the means of expression and dissemination are the

guarantees of cultural diversity.

ARTICLE 7 Cultural heritage as the wellspring of creativity.Creation draws on the roots of cultural tradition,but flourishes in contact with other cultures.For this reason, heritage in all its forms must bepreserved, enhanced and handed on to futuregenerations as a record of human experience and aspirations, so as to foster creativity in all its diversity and to inspire genuine dialogue among cultures.



MAIN LINES OF AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNESCO UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY

2 . Advancing in the definition of principles,standards and practices, on both the national and the international levels, as well as of awareness-raising modalities and patterns of cooperation, that are most conducive to the safeguarding and promotion of cultural

diversity.

3. Fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices in regard to cultural pluralismwith a view to facilitating, in diversified societies, the inclusion and participationof persons and groups from varied cultural backgrounds.

5 . Safeguarding the linguistic heritage of humanity and giving support to expression, creationand dissemination in the greatest possiblenumber of languages.

6 . Encouraging linguistic diversity – while respecting the mother tongue – at all levels of education,

7 . Promoting through education an awareness of the positive value of cultural diversity and improving to this end both curriculum designand teacher education.

8 . Incorporating, where appropriate, traditional pedagogies into the education process witha view to preserving and making full use of culturally appropriate methods of communicationand transmission of knowledge.

14. Respecting and protecting traditional knowledge,in particular that of indigenous peoples; recognizing the contribution of traditional knowledge,

particularly with regard to environmental protectionand the management of natural resources,and fostering synergies between modern scienceand local knowledge.

15 . Fostering the mobility of creators, artists, researchers,scientists and intellectuals and the development of international research programmes and partnerships, while striving to preserve and enhance the creative capacity of developing countries and countries in transition.



Cultural activities

Depending on the people and talents whom integratethe group we organize activities that range among:

Music: Celtic, Arab, Israeli, Andean, Russian, African, Bosa Nova , Mauri, Cuban Salsa, Colombian Merengue,

Tarantela, gypsie Rumanian, Flamenco, Yodeling and Classic Music, etc…

Visual acts: African dance, Flamenco, Belly dance, dances withfire, Acrobalance, Stomp, Juggling, Clowns, Mimes,

Celtic Dance, etc.In some of these acts horses are used.

Theater:

Our program of theater seeks to address social and environmental problems through representations.One of the stories portrays a combat between tribes,where at the moment that one of the actors is about to kill the other, the whole question is raised of why the tribes are in conflict, as a result both adversaries become allies and decide to embark on a mystical journey on horses and spread this revelation

throughout the world. As they go through different countries they meet other cultures and exchange

dialogues and music.

Through plays like these we seek to transmit messages which can create lasting and deep effects

in the audiences, causing them to reflect onthese issues.

Events in Chiapas, Mexico during 2006.Palenque, Plaza central (Enero)

Naranjo, Escuela (Febrero) San Agustin, Plaza central (Febrero)

Tioquipa, Plaza central (Febrero) Venustiano Carranza, Plaza central (Marzo)

Yajalon, , Plaza central (Marzo)

Tila, Plaza central (Marzo) Sabanilla, Plaza central (Marzo) Naranjo, Plaza central (Abril)

Huituipan, Plaza central (Abril) Simojovel, Feria anual, Plaza central (Abril)

Huituipan , Plaza central (Mayo) La florida, (Mayo)

Tapilula, Plaza central (Mayo) Pueblo Nuevo, feria anual, , Plaza central (Junio)

Jitotol, feria anual, Plaza central (Julio) Pichucalco, Plaza central (Julio)

Palenque, Feria anual, parque de feria (Agosto) Palenque, Evento Privado (Agosto)

Chapultenango , feria anual,Plaza central (Agosto)



Integral program of environmental education.

ducation, including formal education, public awareness and training hould be recognized as a process by which human beings and societ- s can reach their fullest potential. Education is critical for promoting ustainable development and improving the capacity of the people to

address environment and development issues. While basic educationprovides the underpinning for any environmental and development

ducation, the latter needs to be incorporated as an essential part of earning. Both formal and non-formal education are indispensable to changing people’s attitudes so that they have the capacity to assess nd address their sustainable development concerns. It is also critical for achieving environmental and ethical awareness, values and atti- des, skills and behavior consistent with sustainable development and for effective public participation in decision-making. To be effective,nvironment and development education should deal with the dynam- s of both the physical/biological and socio-economic environment and uman (which may include spiritual) development, should be integrat-

d in all disciplines, and should employ formal and non-formal methods and effective means of communication.

Countries should facilitate and promote non-formal education activi- ies at the local, regional and national levels by cooperating with and upporting the efforts of non-formal educators and other community- based organizations. The appropriate bodies of the United Nations

ystem in cooperation with non-governmental organizations should en- ourage the development of an international network for the achieve- ent of global educational aims. At the national and local levels, public nd scholastic forums should discuss environmental and development

issues, and suggest sustainable alternatives to policy makers

Countries should encourage non-governmental organizations to in- rease their involvement in environmental and development problems,through joint awareness initiatives and improved interchange with

other constituencies in society.

Children not only will inherit the responsibility of looking after the Earth, but in many developountries they comprise nearly half the population. Furthermore, children in both developing an

ustrialized countries are highly vulnerable to the effects of environmental degradation. They arghly aware supporters of environmental thinking. The specific interests of children need to be

ully into account in the participatory process on environment and development in order to safegthe future sustainability of any actions taken to improve the environment.United Nations, Agenda 21, Chapter 25 and 36



Our Program

The importance of environmental education is raising awareness and providing alternatives that can inspire change. Our integral systemof 7 stages combines practical messages on environmental themes

through dynamic cognitive experiences, music, theater, exciting creative activities and games.

his system produces a profound emotional impact awakening ecologi-

cal and ethical values, understanding of natural processes, empathy and co-responsibility towards the Earth and all its sentient beings.

affective education seeks to tap into the ways that we come to ‘know’ our environment through our emotional responses to it, rather thanur scientific understanding of how processes and systems in our envi- onment work. Underlying this approach is a belief that our emotional sponses and values guide our actions and opinions on environmental atters in a way that a potentially more detached, scientific knowledge

may not be capable of achieving.

though some research has demonstrated a linkage between scientific knowledge and environmental attitudes (e.g. Lyons and Breakwell,

1994), other research has suggested that such knowledge may only aise general awareness and provide individuals with the confidence to voice opinions on environmental issues (Gigliotti, 1990). A knowledgebased approach may not necessarily affect deeply held values of thekind that might drive an individual to alter their behavior (Fien and

Slater,1981; Gigliotti, 1990; Gurevitz , 2000).

We have observed that activities as these produce an effective impact

acting in several levels of consciousness associating new patterns of conduct hrough experiences that are full of emotion and receptivity.ur integral system is an innovative method that allows to fuse formal environmental education ( cognitive, scientific) with nonformal (emotional, experiential, affective) and as well as the informal (indirect,

communications, media).

By approaching education on all these levels we intend to generate a eep and lasting influence. Our programs are mainly directed towards students and adolescents. Although we have also created events and

presentations for an adult audience. In parallel to these stages an

cademic group carries out research to expand our knowledge on thefferent effects that these programs produce as well as to improve our

methods in order to create a more profound and lasting effect.



Stage I Presentatión

The caravan moves entirely on horses, surprising and lling of curiosity to each community that we visit, that is

our first contact! The group arranges itself to contact the competent au- horities proposing the program, the activities are chosen

between the authorities and the coordination team.For more Information on this program

see Ecolture program.

Ecolture: (For all audiences)

The cultural programs consist providing free cultural ulti-ethnic shows for the communities, we perform music in more than 20 languages, ethnic dances are comple-

mented with fire twriling; clowns, horses and acrobatics hus promoting cultural diversity and constructing cultur- l bridges between locals and foreigners, which also helps

generate confidence and acceptance between us and thecommunities, opening the doors to other

environmental projects.etween the musical themes and acts, ecological messages are transmitted, that touch subjects as global warming,the importance of the recycling, care for animals, water nd the conservation of forests and most clearly the toler- nce among cultures, which is exponenciates through the

diverse cultures that integrate the caravan.Nomads United’s cultural program has been active

since1999, and has created performances in countless villages in towns in America and Asia, being one of the

movements with greater cultural diversity since it has art- sts ranging from 40 countries, all united, dispersing the

messages of peace and love for humanity and nature.

Theater: (For all audiences)

Our program of theater seeks to address social and environmental problems through representations.

One of the stories portrays a combat between tribes,here at the moment that one of the actors is about to kill the other, the whole question is raised of why the tribes

are in conflict, as a result both adversaries become allies nd decide to embark on a mystical journey on horses and spread this revelation throughout the world. As they go hrough different countries they meet other cultures and

exchange dialogues and music.Through plays like these we seek to transmit

messages which can create lasting and deep effects in theaudiences, causing them to reflect on

these issues.



P ase II Sensitization

Interactive Ecological Theatre. (Directed at Primary Schools)

This purpose of this activity is to aid in sensitizing thdents, encouraging them to directly pay attention torelations between the elements so that they can ass

responsibility for their actions by becoming aware of place in the ecological cycle.

The elements being addressed are the 5 elements, ware the main actors being represented by the instrucand the students: air, trees, water, animal and hum

Each instructor guides its group (element), teaching about their history as they interact.

This event is organized usually out of the school, whthe students can be in an environment that is naturathis manner we attempt to provide the children withenvironment by which they can associate with the e

ments, so that they can identify with them and thus can feel their effects more directly. For example: whehumans cut down the trees, the students sit down moless representing trunks, the ones that act as exotic mals have to go away from the scene. Some of the that represent the water also leave the scene and in way, the message of the consequences of deforestacan be assimilated in a much more visibly direct fo

Some of the points that are addressed are:Deforestation, species extinction, compassion for anim

pollution, recycling and global warming.History comes into account to show the principle th

there once was harmony between humans and theirvironment, and through certain behaviors over timeplanet has began to deteriorate, the relation becom

more and more imbalanced as time passes. The storyas alternatives are defined as to how we can improve

environmental situation of our planet.

Puppet shows:

(Primary schools and Gardens) The puppet events are carried out in the Schools orpublic places. The puppets are used to tell stories t

have an environmental focus, encouraging the spectto reflect on their own relationship with the environmBy personifying the elements of water, air, and animamong others, the viewers are permitted a perspectithe environmental situation that they have not yet s

before.



PHASE III Awareness

Dynamic Cognitive Classes.(For all ages)

These classes generally are carried out in the schools or n town rooms where people have the opportunity to un- erstand, to question, and to expand their awareness on

issues such as:

The relation between the trees, the water, and the air.e harmony between living beings and the areas that are

not yet polluted.e degradation of the environment and how cutting trees nfluences the ecosystem and all living beings within it.

Compassion towards animals and the personalization of nature.

The consequences of burning plastics.The consequences of throwing trash into the water and

forests.

The consequential effects of contamination on living things.

he importance of recycling and reducing forms of waste.he importance of planting trees and how they affect the

air we breathe and the water we drink.Organic Agriculture.Species extinction.Renewable energy.

Genetically modified food.

t the end of this program, a small questionnaire is cre-

ted for the children so that can express what they haveearned. The program finishes with participatory music at is filled with ecological messages in order to inspire a

love for the land and nature.

Surveys to Track Ecological Competency.hese surveys help the people to realize the impotence of onserving energy and their resources. This is a systemhat encourages people to give serious thought about thenvironment, and helps facilitate in children the develop-

ment of a healthy feeling of competence so that a conscientiousness of the problems can be developed

Projections of Intentional Movies.(For all ages)

These projections are carried out in schools or in public places. Movies which have an ecological focus are

presented, for example: An Inconvenient truth. (Global Warming), Series of educational movies of the Center for he training for the sustainable development (SEMARNAT)



Stage IV Expression

EcoSign Workshop : (Primary schools)

Taking into account what has been learned and assimi- ated during the previous phases that the students havetaken part in, they now can express their opinions and elings through artistic expression in the form of posters

and placards.

he children draw on the environmental themes that haveen incorporated, and in this way they can assimilate the

teachings with greater depth.

sing paint, crayons and even recycled materials, the stu- ents create artistic works that are focused on ecological oncepts. This permits them with the freedom to exploreeir creativity and imagination, so that their ideas can bexpressed and so they can share their ideas on this sub-

ct with their friends. In this way, common intentions canbe recognized and achieved.

Articles/ Recycled Materials workshop.

this workshop, the students learn to create a variety of pes of baskets, water bottle holders and even hats madef recycled plastics from things such as rims of cars and many other elements. Old rowboats can even be sepa- ted from what once was ‘trash‘ as volunteers are called

pon to decorate the recycled rowboats: using all kinds f plastics, these rowboats take on a new role as they aresplayed with messages and motives. These rowboats are

later placed in theentral plazas, homes and schools for all to see. In this

way, the rowboats are boldly given a new function to besed as pieces of art created by the children promoting a

responsible culture that pays attention to waste management.



Phase V Demonstration.

t awakens a feeling of passion and protection for theenvironment when activities are implemented that

re directed towards promoting the growth of a social movement in youths that puts emphasis on the fact

hat the value of natural resources can be passed downhrough generations. We encourage this youthful cur- ent in washing over the land, protecting it and all the

living beings on it in the process.

Pro-Earth Parade.To finalize this process, the children take to the street with their placards (created in the 3rd phase), post-

ng them in visible places while singing songs in for thearth. In short time, this procession of children becomes a pro-earth parade which always creates an impact inthe community. This activity permits the children to

show their artistic works, ending the parade as

confident defenders of the environment.

Cleaning of trash in the streets.he children and the conductors of the event form a linehich functions like a great human broom that collects

and accumulates the trash in a given delineated area.s they ‘sweep’ they are followed by a group of drums

and other instruments that help to highlight the event nd helps to recruit additional volunteers in the process.his cleaning has shown to be an amusing event which

helps to fortify the ties in the community.



Phase VI Integration

System of Registration in the Ecoguardian Database.

Once the children pass the previous phases, they will beoffered the opportunity to form part of the Ecoguradian

federation.This permits them to maintain a connection to a network

of other students so that they are able to continue their participation by being reported of new

ecological initiatives.This can be achieved by means of a simple registrationvia the internet, where the students can choose among

several options that the webpage offers:*Viewing ecological posters in the art gallery.

(scanned in phase 3) *Be reported on events, workshops and assemblies so

hat they can learn about a diverse range of environmen-

tal councils.*Notified for Eco-ntests.*Participating in online surveys.

*Learning in virtual environmental classes.*Seeing environmentally related videos.

These are going to be transmitted on the internet under he webpage www.ecoguarda.com, (in process) which also acts to facilitate the ecoguardians, events, workshops,

councils, and galleries of images of the posters and surveys.

Planting fruit-bearing trees in schools Revitalizes the school areas with fruit trees is an exem- plary feat that provides of food to the students and en-

courages conscientiousness regarding forests.anting these trees is very necessary, especially when de-

orestatation processes are growing out of control. Whenhildren are able to participate in these plantations, they will be able make sure that these trees are nurtured,

watching them daily as they grow, fostering the value of these trees as living organisms.

The plantations often are accompanied by educational classes on their care and maintenance. Often the children these areas eat store bought products, such as “Fritos” and other artificial food. Acknowledging this,

they can learn to understand the important differences between store bought food compared to food that comes from a form that is natural, which is much more nutritious, doesn’t generate as much trash, and is available

without cost.“To plant is to create life, and to participate in creating

that life is a wonderful opportunity and a great duty.”



Phase VII Diffusion

To complete our program, we will create a program of informal environmental education,which is transmitted through the use of mass media, as much at the local level as it is at thenational and international level.

nternet.Most activities are transmitted on the internet,under the page www.NomadsUnited.com, and through this page there will be a link to ecoguarda, (when it’s online) events, workshops, councils,and galleries of images of posters and surveys.

Television

n the television environment, we are creating a 25 chapter series on the history of the caravanthat will be projected on cable television. This should be completed towards the end of the2007. These programs will expose the classes of environmental education that are being filmed as we travel.

Radio

We propose our objectives on local community stations, including interviews with the students on the environmental situation. Also events and assemblies will are announced.

Magazines Articles on our caravan are being continually published everywhere which will help to send themessage out about our programs of environmen-

tal education.



Investigation and Results

Analysis of what was learned: After showing our gratitude and then departing, the results are analyzed, theexperiences are commented on, and the training potential that comes from ac-

cumulated knowledge obtained from the community is acknowledged, fortifying system of mutual learning that optimizes our expectations and fortifies our en-

ergy as a group. At the same time, the results of the investigations are channeleto centers of investigation to be able to build a bridge among the interested scie

tific community, us and the rural communities.

Since the main directors of the environmental resources are the administratorsof the rural communities, we understand the strategic importance that they hav

in the transformations of the ecosystems. Our objective is directed to impact mainly children and the young, who are by nature already open to these changebecause with them, the future of responsibility falls to make decisions or delegadecisions to other sectors of their future companies. To assume, as our primar

intentions, the youth of the communities helps promote one of the main objectivof the environmental education. This helps with the political strengthening of th

people who live in the towns we visit so that they can intervene actively on themanagement of its natural resources in such a way that an effective message inthe use, management and protection of the natural resources can be strategize

within the influential portion of the community. The new hope is to form new socio-environmental paradigms.

Combined with this, our work also promotes to other sectors to invest in the new

fusions so that science therefore can find in the art a powerful channel for thetransmission and teaching of scientific knowledge.

As well as the artistic area can be inspired by environmental problems so that thpublic in general can be sensitized to this type of knowledge. Although the fusioof science and art is not new, the incorporation of it in this field is. This brings a

element of adventure that adds a different dimension which is full of new possibilities.



Seccion DUpcoming projects

The pathway Towards SustainabilityAnimal Salvation League



The pathway towards Sustainability

This program proposes to create a database containing information of the communities and its rogression toward sustainability. Presenting information that is pertinent to the sustainable

development of their community, assemblies are organized and facilitated where the local inhabnts are given the opportunity to be at the forefront of the decision making process, bringing fo

ward their knowledge and what they consider to be more urgent for the ecological development heir community.

This is the information that goes towards creating the database, which will later be accompaniey estimates on the infrastructure of each project and the profile of the personnel required to arry them out. When the economic and human resources, as well as necessary conditions areupplied, the project itself can become active.

This enlarged database is put at the disposal of the universities, institutions and organizations who can offer to its graduates and volunteers the options of taking part in these social services articipants, subsequently executing the projects. This database also aids in commissioning col-

ections that can thus be given to us from donors who would like to invest in the projects.

t is important to emphasize that the projects are not limited to the areas that are in need of ecoogical sustainability, but they include in general an extensive amount of social and educational nitiatives directed at organizations (by providing them with courses),and infrastructures (theonstruction of a common center, for example).

The function of this collected information is not exclusively limited to a particular interested roups or activists. This project database, which will be vouched for by the correlated organiza-ion, is used rather to obtain the resources necessary to carry out our selected projects. Attempre made to make this database as translucent as possible, so that sponsors are made fully

ware of the processes involved. The prestige that we have gained as Nomads United comes fromeing fully behind our projects in their entirety so that we can seriously assure the viability of throject and the quality of planning, execution, and supervision of the project.

Nomadic United intends to serve as a three-way interconnection among:the rural communities around the world whose present welfare and future we would like to helpn its process of applying development mechanisms The Foundations, organizations or individuals that desire to support the work being done withontributions towards the support of development in particular communities.The Volunteers, Professionals, Investigators and any individuals interested in carrying out proj-

cts of development which are financed by the organizations or individuals.



Traveling in many countries in Central America, in areas far from any cities or regular tourist attractions, we saw the real heavy duty animal torturing

grounds. In these areas, horses, mules, bulls, dogs and other domestic animals are used regularly for different kinds of labor. Be it the transportationof passengers and goods, hauling water or firewood, guard duty, pest control, rounding up cattle or sheep for tending, plowing the ground for planting of crops and more. Just like the old days, these animals are an irreplaceable part of the developing worlds economy.Now don’t get us wrong - we think using animals for work is great! They don’t need roads, they don’t destroy the soil that they walk on, they are not manufactured in world strangling corporation factories, their main-

tenance requirements are usually little to none, they don’t pollute the air or water and most important of all - they do not consume any kind of fossil fuel products. Using some good old fashion now how, experience and yes more hard work on the human part, it is possible with the use of animals instead of machines to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly form of agriculture and transportation.

These animals, irreplaceable part of the local economy, are widely and se- verely mistreated in many different ways.

Here are some examples for you reflect on:1. NUTRITION: countless times, while passing through small towns and villages, we have seen horses tied up to a tree or a fence on the side of theroad, short rope, short grass, no water and no shelter. This is how they live, no surprise that they are bone skinny, weak, sickly and generally a sad sight to see. If by a lucky chance they are not on the street, then they are crammed into a small fenced area, “potreros” they call them, supposed grazing grounds. These fields are in many cases dry and barren or worse,burnt - a result of the slash and burn farming method. If water exists, it is almost always contaminated and dirty with runoff from the nearest houses.The plants growing in the fields are usually meant for cattle (horses and cows need different kinds of grasses). They wont starve of course, but cattlegrass is not enough to maintain a horse healthy and strong. Important supplements such as grains and concentrated foods are to expensive and scares to be given.

Animal Salvation League



2. HEALTH: malnutrition leads to, in many cases, various illnesses, which the people usu-ally do nothing to prevent or cure. In many places, veterinarian facilities and services arefar from sufficient not available at all. This is true, especially in the more remote regions,where animals are more often used. Even if these services were available they probably would not have been used, because of high cost. Open wounds are left untreated, deterio-rating into infections and infectious diseases. Lame and ill horses are not put in isolationor left to rest for recovery and are still worked with other horses; this can lead to infec-

tion of other animals or further deterioration of the ill horse.

3. TACK AND GEAR : the equipment used on the horses and mules, such as - saddles,girth belts, tail and chest straps, mouth and face pieces, blankets, carts, ropes, chains etc. are of poor quality and fit. Combined with improper use these worn out pieces of equipment cause saddle sores, cuts, bruises and other problems. Once again, these littleproblems are neglected and can become more severe ones. In some cases when working on hard surfaces like rocky terrain, cobble stones, compact dirt or asphalt roads, thegorses and mules need shoes to protect their hoofs and prevent foot and leg problems. Inthe rural areas, most of the horses and mules are not shoes because the people lack the

needed equipment, knowledge and the horse shoes themselves.

4. PHYSICAL ABUSE : probably the most disturbing thing we have witnessed in the is the way these animal are trained and handled: they are literally beaten into submissionfrom a young age, “breaking the will” they call it, and it’s a long traumatizing and pain- ful process. They use lassoes to catch them in the field, using whips and spurs to makethem run even when these tools are totally unnecessary. This is how they treat the riding horses, we are not even bothering to mention how the cows, goats and sheep are treated in the great meat industries. Human handlers in these parts show a complete lack of compassion for the animals and deny that they have any real feelings.



By working in three main fields - notification, educational workshops and active medical practice, we hope to make significant improvements in the life quality and treat- ment of the domestic animals.

1. NOTIFICATION: the first step of fixing a problem is finding it. As we will be passing through agricultural and remote areas, we will be report and denounce any mistreat- ment and animal rights violation on a large scale to the proper organizations or authorities. This will be done with a complete description of the case at hand, G.P.S. loca-

tion of the site, names of the people responsible etc. By doing this, we will be acting as field operatives for larger organizations capable of legal action and/or educational programs, that we are also willing to carry out.

2. EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND CREATING AWARNESS : We will sit down and talk with the people to explain that animals have feelings. If they want to exploit themfor work or anything else, they must do so with full compassion and consideration of their basic needs. This means not using violence as the main tool for training or handling, providing adequate living space and nutrition. Workshops will be held on saddling and better use of the equipment in a way that doesn’t hurt the animals whilethey work. When the people will understand that a healthy horse works harder, they

will, in turn, make an effort to keep the horse healthy. We will show the people how to take better care of their horses and mules feet and hoofs. We will explain in whichcases shoes are needed, and when needed, we will teach them how to shoe. Shoed horses and mules are much less likely to suffer from problems in the legs and feet. In- formation will be dispersed regarding nutritional value of different plant types (what’s good for horses and what’s good for cows), how these plants can be grown and theamount of food and rest time an animal needs to be healthy. Also, information about the importance of supplements such as grains, concentrated foods, vitamins and min- erals. Once again, a healthy animal works harder. Educated and knowledgeable about the needs of their animals, the people will be capable of handling them with respect,

compassion and responsibility.

3. ACITVE MEDICAL PRACTICE IN THE FIELD : Along with teaching, we will also conduct real practice such as shoeing horses if needed, hands on saddling of the local horses and explaining how this can be done without hurting the animals. We will dis- perse donations of non prescription medications like - Antibiotics, Antiparasites, disin- fectants, insect repellents and explain the way they should be used. We will treat, onhand, wounded and ill animals, supply the equipment and knowledge needed for thelocals to later do it themselves. In order to prevent spreading and to treat more serious illnesses, we will draw blood samples from potentially ill horses to send to specific laboratories along with G.P.S. location. This will create an updated database and map

of diseases in the area.

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