Vantagens e limites da metodologia de facilitação de conflitos socioambientais: o caso de Canabrava (MG)

Abstract

If not managed in a proper and timely manner, socio-environmental conflicts may generate irreversible costs. This paper analyzes the advantages and limitations of the methodology of socio-environmental conflict facilitation through a case study: the clashes between a peasant community and a multinational forest company operating in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. In spite of the initial vote of trust obtained by the facilitators and of the overall acceptation of their methodology, the relationship among actors did not evolve rapidly enough to guarantee the implementation of an effective arena for dialogue. Three factors seem to have challenged the facilitation process: temporality, the available resources and the reluctance to cooperate by some of the involved actors. The experience shows that it is possible to build positive agreements in socio-environmental conflicts, once there is a trustworthy facilitator, a window to dialogue among the involved parts, as well as enough time.