European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies (ENCOD) Secretariat: Ploegstraat 27 – 2018 Antwerpen - Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)495 122 644
E-mail: office at encod.org
A documentary about the coca issue in Bolivia and Peru. The coca leaf, a gift from Pachamama – Mother Earth, is in the centre of important geopolitical changes in South America.
With Roberto Calzadilla (Embassy of Bolivia, The Hague, Netherlands), Sophie van Haasen (University for the Common Good, Belgium), Chass Vermeulen Windsant (independent researcher, Netherlands), Joep Oomen (Encod, Belgium)
Moderator: Walter Lotens (journalist, Belgium)
The coca leaf, "gift of Pachamama - Mother Earth", symbol of Andean Culture, whose traditional consumption dates back to more than 5.000 years ago, has become the target of the war against production and trafficking of cocaine. During more than 30 years, this war has generated violent confrontations, environmental destruction and corruption among authorities. Recently, the Bolivian government, under the leadership of ’cocalero’ president Evo Morales, has started a campaign to request the international rehabilitation of the coca leaf and its traditional uses. It is time for a sincere answer from Europe.
During the event, the establishment was announced of an association of "Friends of the Coca Leaf". In this association, Andean people who reside in Europe and Europeans who love the coca leaf in its natural state can join forces. The goal will be to establish a fair trade system to commercialise (organically grown) coca leaves and their traditional derivates in Europe. The initiative will be presented as a contribution to the fight against cocaine: the goal is to create a legal alternative for coca growers, and at the same time show European citizens the way that coca leaf should be consumed.
Agenda
