Trip Conclusions

Globalization and Sustainable Development in the Rukullakta Indigenous Territory, Ecuadorian Amazon: Trip Conclusions

Challenges to Entrepreneurship

For all its benefits, globalization has some serious drawbacks, in particular with regards to entrepreneurship and sustainable development in small communities. Because we live in an increasingly globalized world, traditional ideas of supply and demand are distorted. This seemed to be the case with all four sustainable development projects we studied. I got a strong sense of a “If we build it, they will come” mentality from most of the people with whom we spoke. So much so, that after the initial nine days in the Napo province, I felt as if it was only a matter of time before each of the projects succeeded. It wasn’t until we visited the artisanal marketplace in Quito that I realized the magnitude of the obstacles in the way of each project’s success.  A globalized world creates an illusion of a seemingly boundless market. That illusion, one in which legions of people willing to buy products and services are just waiting to be reached by the producer, is very enticing to entrepreneurs.

However, the four projects we studied, tourism, chocolate, artisanal jewelry, and wayusa, all exist in marketplaces that are saturated with similar goods or services. Even if the chocolate, tourism, and jewelry projects are able to break into their respective markets, as Runa has done, there are other challenges that must be overcome. For example, the consumer base for the chocolate, tourism, and jewelry projects is mostly made up of tourists, making it necessary to take the chocolate and jewelry products to the tourists in Quito and in areas along the coast. Transporting and coordinating the transportation of the finished goods add an additional expense to the producers. Other challenges are those faced by tourist accommodations and attractions such as Cabañas Sapo Rumi and other small, family-owned tourism initiatives. Because safety is a primary concern for many travelers, larger, more established places with many online positive reviews tend to draw in the most business. Lastly, Runa is competing in an international beverage market that is not only thoroughly saturated, but also almost completely dominated by industry giants. Nevertheless, in spite of the obstacles, each project has promising features.

Benefits to the Community

In the case of Wiñak chocolate, one of the most promising characteristics is Freddy’s commitment to community involvement. When we spoke to Freddy, he mentioned that the main goal is to find funding for the machinery needed to create a finished product. Although it may be difficult to find the no-strings-attached funding he wants, the work he is doing in the meantime benefits the community. For example, Freddy mentioned that the finished chocolate product he had was made by adolescent volunteers from the community. Freddy also mentioned that although he is not receiving a paycheck, he encourages community members to volunteer by offering them the trips to receive training as enticement. That model has a positive effect in the community because it can instill a work ethic in the community’s young people and because it can lead to them learning skills they would not otherwise learn and expose them to experiences, such as international travel, that might otherwise not be there or be too expensive to be feasible.

Although the women to whom we were introduced by Angel have many obstacles in the way of their project’s success, their efforts also have a positive impact on the community. It may be difficult to break into the traditional jewelry market, even with one of their team member’s experience. However, because they can sell their jewelry or rent some of the more expensive items for costumes or school activities, their efforts promote cultural continuity.

Cultural continuity is also promoted by the tourism and wayusa efforts. Our experiences in Sapo Rumi, in particular the hike to the Tree of Life, the wayusa ceremony, and the conversations with Dr. Uzendoski, left me with the impression that promoting educational tourism to non-Kichwa persons is tied to promoting Kichwa culture within Kichwa communities. Specifically, by promoting educational tourism, Kichwa knowledge can be passed from one generation to the next. For example, the wayusa ceremony we attended in Sapo Rumi was very different from the one we attended in Silverio’s home. The wayusa ceremony conducted by Federico in Sapo Rumi was much more elaborate, and in hindsight, seems catered to tourists. However, the cleaning and story-telling that took place, in my understanding, are indeed part of Kichwa culture and in order for educational tourism to continue, those involved in the industry will need to have a thorough understanding of the culture. Moreover, wayusa becoming commonplace at meals also promotes cultural continuity.