Somos Territorio

What is Somos Territorio?

Somos Territorio (We are Territory) is a documentary exploring the impact of climate change on the Mesoamerican region through the voices of its communities. Through testimonies, data, and photographs, we delve into the stories of individuals affected by natural phenomena in recent years. Their stories bring this audiovisual piece to life, highlighting their experiences and the proactive measures taken by communities, local networks, and organizations. These initiatives aim to preserve and protect territorial rights, as well as ensure the right to live in conditions that guarantee a dignified life, in harmony with the ecosystems they call home. This project is a partnership between HIP, American Friends Service Committee, Ayuda en Acción, Derecho A No Obedecer, Corporación Otra Parte and ERIC-Radio Progreso.

How did this documentary come about?

In November 2023, we joined during the “Regional Gathering on Climate and Migration Justice” held in Tela, Honduras to create a network of reflection and dialogue among different grassroots leaders and advocates from civil society organizations throughout Latin America, to strengthen the analysis and connection between the climate justice and migration justice movements in the region. During those days, participants shared their visions, challenges, and hopes from various global south territories to understand how climate justice and migration justice intersect and the underlying causes. This led to the opportunity to create a narrative project that would bring an integrated perspective from the voices of the most affected communities to light.

We invite you to read the declaration document from the network of organizations focused on climate justice and mobility to collaborate on creating a joint agenda, strengthen alliances, and protect the rights of communities affected by this intersection.

Get Involved:

Create an agenda centered around dialogue to address and resolve the adverse effects of the connection between the climate crisis and human mobility
Draw on the wisdom and positive practices of the communities living in these regions directly affected by climate change
Understand our priorities and responsibilities as active drivers of change.
Support community screenings throughout the region to hear and amplify the experiences and voices of local communities.
Donate to our Colibri Fund in order to support future convenings between these organizations.
Join HIP’s giving circle
Support community screenings throughout the region to hear and amplify the experiences and voices of local communities.
Reports
- Human Mobility and Climate Action reports by DANO
- Case Study: La Lima, Honduras by ERIC (Equipo de Reflexión, Investigación y Comunicación)
- Report on environmental racism and migration: “¿Team Calor?” by RacismoMX
Podcast
- Climática
Infographic
- Climate Justice & Mobility
Become a dissemination ally
- Download the social media kit

What’s Next After Watching the Documentary?

Use these questions to spark and guide your conversations:

After watching the film, what are your initial thoughts/feelings?
Were there any particular scenes or moments that stood out to you? Why?
Did the film challenge any preconceived notions you had about human mobility and climate?
How did the personal stories of climate migrants / communities directly affected by climate change affect you?
Are there any aspects of the topic that you would like to learn more about after watching?
How are these communities and community members combating challenges created/exacerbated by climate change?
What role do governments, international organizations, and local communities play in addressing the challenges of climate migration?
How can awareness about climate migration and human mobility be raised in your own community?

Use these questions to spark and guide your conversations: Fill out this form to find out how to join our live screening community.

I want to join Download this support guide for community screenings

Join community led projections

21AUG

Virtual screening, 3:00 PM CST

Virtual launch of the short documentary “We are Territory.” This event is open to allies of the Colibrí Network and the general public. Its purpose is to share the unequal impacts of socio-environmental disasters and explore their deep roots in development policies based on extractivism of peoples and their lands. In addition, proposals for alternatives from communities, their practices and their people will be presented.

26AUG

Soho House CDMX, 6:00 PM CST

Screening of the short documentary "Somos Territorio", followed by a discussion between Nuestro Futuro AC, HIP and RacismoMx. This talk will address the intersection between climate change, human mobility and its impact on the region, as well as the need for regional and local alliances to preserve and protect communities and their territories. Event closed.

28AUG

ZunZun, CDMX 6:00 PM CST

Event for allies and donors. After the screening of the short documentary, there will be a space for reflection and dialogue with the aim of strengthening the analysis of the link between the climate justice movement and migration justice in the region. The roles of organizations and donors will be discussed, as well as their priorities and responsibilities as active agents of change. Invitation-based event

26SEPT

Huerto Roma Verde, CDMX 6:00 PM CST

This event is a gathering dedicated to the articulation of local alliances addressing climate change, environmental issues, and mobility. From 6 PM to 10 PM, this event, co-organized by HIP, Huerto Roma Verde, Nuestro Futuro AC, Racismo Mx, and Ayuda en Acción, will focus on creating a collective space to understand how allies, local activists, leaders, and the general public can collaborate to create collective solutions from their own initiatives.

Testimonies

It is important to highlight all the impacts of forced migration. The documentary is very valuable for humanizing this situation. Creating narratives from the voices of those directly affected is extremely important.

— Helena Olea

It is a great piece of work that contributes significantly to understanding the complexities of forced mobility. It made me think about how, after natural disasters, there is a situation of unviability in ways of life, for example, in communities where the main activities are fishing and subsistence agriculture. Within these factors, there are other triggers and the "non-voluntary" nature of these migrations.

— Alejandra López

In relation to the multi-causality of mobilities due to climate change, it is also interesting to see that the impacts are diverse. As shown in the documentary, the effects occur in various dimensions of life that experience disruptions; that is, they are not only environmental issues, but also include spiritual, economic, and territorial dimensions, as well as the loss of community knowledge. This can also give us insights into how to think about the construction of climate and migration justice.

— Atsiry Lopez (AFSC)

Storytelling is the most important connection we can make in the public space to humanize migrants. We have to tell stories about the right to stay, the right to migrate and that the climate crisis is intersecting to force migration for the worlds most impoverished people. Migrants need to be at the forefront of storytelling to ensure their inclusion in decision-making and policymaking decisions. Not just representation, but inclusion!

— Amali Tower

Colibrí Initiative

The Colibri Initiative is an intersectional project between the Migration and Forced Displacement and Climate Action programs. Through this initiative, we seek to advance climate and migration justice by protecting the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees throughout the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean and support community-based solutions to sustain a vibrant planet.

Learn More

Donate to help us continue this important work! Or reach out to migration@hipfunds.org for more information on how you can support this initiative.

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