Costa Rica Foundation for Sustainable Development

Networks for Sustainability

The Networks for Sustainability Project was a pioneering initiative of the Costa Rica Foundation for Sustainable Development, whose purpose was to promote sustainable development and strengthen democracy through the creation of national and international networks. Recognizing that democracy is a fundamental condition for sustainable development, the project sought to foster active civic participation, especially among young people, in building a fairer and more equitable society.

Background: The project was based on the premise that the sustainability of democracy depends on the active participation of citizens, who must engage in building their society by reinforcing the fundamental values of our civilization. Costa Rica, with its strong democratic tradition, was seen as an example for the world. Under the leadership of José María Figueres, former president and staunch advocate of sustainable development, the project became a model of how democracy can drive long-term sustainability.

The Redes Project had the following main objectives: to form national and international networks for the dissemination and promotion of sustainable development, thereby creating a platform for collaboration and dialogue among various social actors; to engage Costa Rican youth in discussions on relevant topics such as sustainable development, the future of the country, major national challenges, and the contributions of high technology in these fields; and to facilitate the formation of new young leaders in the realms of democracy and sustainable development, ensuring that future generations are equipped to assume civic responsibilities.

The project faced several challenges, among which the following stood out. There was a notable political apathy among citizens, especially among young people, toward development issues and participation in public life. Moreover, the formation of youth leadership was identified as an urgent need, as it is fundamental to prepare young people to assume leadership roles in future civic and social challenges. Additionally, a lack of coordination among youth programs limited the ability to maximize the efforts of the various organizations working on these issues.

To address these challenges, the Redes Project developed a series of activities centered on creating a social network among youth organizations, promoting the exchange of experiences and knowledge. The main activities included the establishment of a social network among organizations working with youth to generate a space for collaboration and communication; the design of an information system and communication network to facilitate access to and dissemination of information among young people and the participating organizations; and the establishment of relationships with other international organizations to share information and experiences, with the goal of developing attractive and innovative programs for youth.

Networks for Sustainability

Advances of the Redes Project

The Redes Project achieved significant progress in its mission to involve young people in sustainable development and democracy.

José María Figueres delivered presentations at 10 schools and 7 universities, where the former president discussed key topics related to sustainable development, leadership, and democracy with students.

Figueres also participated internationally as a keynote speaker at conferences, seminars, and congresses in countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, China, Peru, Mexico, the United States, the Dominican Republic, France, the United Arab Emirates, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Chile, Sweden, Japan, Argentina, and Costa Rica, positioning Costa Rican experience on a global scale.

Key information was gathered on the concerns of young people, along with a diagnosis of the institutions working on these issues.

Additionally, a communication system was developed to connect with youth groups via email, marking one of the initial efforts to create an interactive platform.

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