Guardians of the Coral: Guna Women Leading Change in Panama

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Our new coral reef research and conservation project in the Guna Yala region of Panama stands out not only for its scientific approach but also for integrating and motivating the active participation of young Guna women researchers.

They have not only received scientific training in marine science but have also taken on leadership roles in a field where women have traditionally had limited access. Through this initiative, the project aims to empower Guna women in areas such as marine biology and environmental sciences, promoting greater gender equity and providing opportunities for them to actively steward marine ecosystems.

This conservation project, supported by SENACYT Panama and the active engagement of the Guna Congress’s scientific arm, IIDKY (Instituto de Investigaciones y Desarrollo de Kuna Yala), along with MiAmbiente Panama, generates crucial scientific data on coral reef health and brings an enriching perspective by fusing academic knowledge with Guna ancestral wisdom. By including communities in every phase of the research, the project promotes a sense of shared responsibility for the conservation of natural resources. Thus, this collaboration seeks to develop viable and culturally meaningful conservation solutions that will ensure the preservation of these marine ecosystems for future generations.

Interview with Susania Avila: A Guna Perspective on Marine Conservation

What sparked your interest in the environment?

Since I was a child, I have been surrounded by the natural beauty that my home offers, which has influenced my desire to protect and understand our environment. This connection to the environment is what prompted me to study Marine Biology and Limnology at the University of Panama. I wanted to better understand and protect the natural world around us, especially the sea, which is so important to us Gunas.

How has your experience been collaborating on this project?

I have had the opportunity to collaborate with MarAlliance as a researcher, where I focused on the study of fish in coral reefs. I was in charge of identifying and measuring the different fish species, as well as assessing coral relief. One of the most rewarding experiences has been giving talks to children about the importance of caring for mangroves, as I firmly believe that education is fundamental for conservation.

         

What is the level of access that Guna women have to training and research initiatives in your community?

Before, we were only taught a few things. However, today, we are seeing a change: women are being taught that they should go to school, that they should not stay at home, and that they should work. Now, when people come to our community, they can talk to the women and girls about caring for the sea, and they are teaching us how we should protect it. This change is very positive and encouraging.

What does the sea mean to the Guna community?

We, the Guna, take great care of the sea because it provides us with food. If we are hungry, we go to the sea to fish, and that is the sustenance we bring to our homes. I also remember that our grandparents taught us that we should take care of the sea, because for us it is like a grandmother, and that is why we have the responsibility to protect it.

How does the Guna community perceive the conservation of marine resources today?

Before, we were not taught about the importance of taking care of the sea, about not throwing garbage in it, or avoiding actions that would damage it. Nowadays, there is a greater diffusion about marine conservation, and we are taught that we should not throw garbage in it because, if we do, we could run out of fish and corals. In addition, people come to our homes to give us talks about the sea and explain how these habits damage all marine biodiversity. If we continue to pollute, we will lose not only the sustenance that the sea gives us but also our home, since we depend on it for food.

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Asistente de comunicación (Internship)

MarAlliance es una organización internacional sin ánimo de lucro registrada en EE.UU., Belice, Panamá y Cabo Verde, cuyo objetivo es explorar, facilitar e inspirar cambios positivos para la fauna marina amenazada, especialmente tiburones y rayas, sus hábitats críticos y las comunidades humanas dependientes. Nuestra misión es amplia y ambiciosa, y trabajamos en tres idiomas y en siete países de tres regiones. Ante el declive de muchas poblaciones de megafauna marina, estas especies necesitan una voz fuerte, eficaz y con base científica que las represente para ayudar a los socios dependientes a dar forma a las estrategias y acciones de gestión y conservación para invertir el declive.

Resumen del puesto:

Buscamos a un becario (6 meses) proactivo, con conocimientos digitales y excelente capacidad de redacción y edición de textos, que apoye la creación de contenidos escritos de alta calidad y recursos multicanal para difundir el trabajo que MarAlliance realiza a través de sus plataformas en línea (sitio web, redes sociales, boletín, entre otras) y fuera de línea, y que interactúe con nuestro público externo para contribuir a nuestros objetivos generales de comunicación y marketing. El Asistente de Comunicación dependerá directamente del Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing, y trabajará en estrecha colaboración con el resto del equipo para apoyarles en los elementos de comunicación de su trabajo.

Las funciones y responsabilidades incluirán, entre otras, las siguientes:

  1. Proporcionar apoyo creativo, editorial y operativo a los proyectos. 
  2. Apoyo en la organización, etiquetado y etiquetado del archivo fotográfico y gestión del archivo de vídeo.
  3. Gestión de la comunidad: Gestionar activamente los canales de medios sociales, así como identificar nuevas tendencias y oportunidades de colaboración. Generar reels y visuales.
  4. Apoyo en la redacción de artículos de blog (SEO) y contenido de boletines. 
  5. Ayudar a construir y desarrollar materiales, herramientas y acciones para campañas (online y offline).
  6. Ayudar en diferentes tareas relacionadas con la comunicación trabajando mano a mano con contratistas externos (desarrollador web, diseñador gráfico…) para mejorar el compromiso de las audiencias externas.
  7. Apoyo en la elaboración de informes de campañas y comunicaciones (Google Analytics, métricas de redes sociales, informes de marketing por correo electrónico).
  8. Como parte del Equipo de Comunicación de MarAlliance, apoyar al Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing en cualquier otro proyecto de comunicación, coherente con las habilidades y experiencia del titular del puesto, en circunstancias no rutinarias.

Experiencia, conocimientos y aptitudes requeridos:

  1. Licenciatura en comunicación, periodismo, marketing o cualquier disciplina relacionada.
  2. Experiencia en comunicación digital o marketing.
  3. Pasión e interés por la naturaleza, la vida marina y la conservación.
  4. Capacidad demostrada para redactar y presentar comunicaciones creativas.
  5. Presencia y conocimientos de medios sociales y digitales.
  6. Capacidad para realizar múltiples tareas y detectar buenas historias.
  7. Capacidad para trabajar a distancia y cumplir los plazos establecidos.
  8. Conocimientos de diseño gráfico deseables, pero no necesarios.
  9. Conocimientos de edición de vídeo deseables pero no necesarios. 

Salario y prestaciones:

Estipendio durante 6 meses.

Idiomas:

Español, con fluidez en inglés

Localización:

Nacionales o residentes de Panamá, Belice, México, Honduras, Guatemala.

Este contrato será a distancia dentro de las zonas horarias de América, flexible, a tiempo completo y desde casa con hasta un 10% de viajes ocasionales locales e internacionales.

Cómo presentar la candidatura:

Por favor, envíe su currículum, portfolio si lo tiene, y carta de presentación a info@maralliance.org con “MAR-CA_Apellido” en el asunto antes del 21 de marzo, 2024. No se admiten llamadas.

Communications Assistant (Internship)

MarAlliance is an international non-profit registered in the US, Belize, Panama and Cabo Verde that aims to explore, enable and inspire positive changes for threatened marine wildlife – notably sharks and rays – their critical habitats and dependent human communities. Our remit is broad and ambitious, and we work in three languages and across seven countries encompassed by three regions. In the face of declines in many populations of marine megafauna, these species need a strong, effective, and science-based voice to represent them to help dependent partners shape management and conservation strategies and action to reverse declines.

Position summary:

We are seeking for a proactive, digitally savvy Paid Intern (6 month) Communications Assistant with excellent writing and copy editing skills, who will support the creation of high-quality written content and multichannel assets to broadcast the work MarAlliance does through its online (website, social media, newsletter, among others) and offline platforms, and engage with our external audiences to contribute to our overall communications and marketing goals. The Communications Assistant will directly report consistently to the Communications and Marketing Coordinator, and work closely with the rest of the team to support them on the communications elements of their work.

Duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  1. Provide creative, editorial, and operational project support. 
  2. Support organizing, labeling and tagging the photo archive and video archive management.
  3. Community Management: Actively manage social media channels, as well as identify new trends and collaboration opportunities. Generate reels and visuals.
  4. Support with writing blog articles (SEO) and newsletter content. 
  5. Help build and develop materials, toolkits, and actions for (online and offline) campaigns.
  6. Assist in different communications-related tasks working hand in hand with external contractors (web developer, graphic designer…) to improve the engagement of external audiences.
  7. Support in campaign and communications reporting (Google Analytics, social media metrics, email marketing reports)
  8. As part of the MarAlliance Communications Team, support the Communications and Marketing Coordinator with any other communications projects, consistent with the skills and expertise of the post holder, in non-routine circumstances.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills Required:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or any related discipline.
  2. Experience working in digital communications and or marketing.
  3. Passion and interest for nature, marine life and conservation.
  4. Proven ability to write and deliver creative communications.
  5. Social Media and digital presence and knowledge.
  6. Ability to multitask and spot good stories.
  7. Capable of working remotely and meeting established deadlines.
  8. Graphic design skills are desirable but not required.
  9. Video editing skills are desirable but not required.

Salary and benefits:

Stipend for 6 month.

Language:

English, Spanish are mandatory.

Location:

Panama, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala nationals or residents. 

This contract will be remote within the Americas time zones, flexible, full-time and home-based with up to 10% occasional local and international travel.

How to apply:

Please send your resume, portfolio if you have one, and cover letter to info@maralliance.org with “MAR-CA_Last name” in the subject line by 21st of March, 2024. No calls please.