As part of the “Kalan Je La’an: Following the Maya Voice” project, ICDO has conducted more than 80 interviews with participants from more than 20 different communities in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
ICDO visited six Maya communities (José María Morelos, Huay Max, Sacalaca, Tihosuco, El Naranjal and La Presumida) and gained many absorbing insights into the lives of indigenous communities tackling issues of misrepresentation, inequality, preservation of Maya language and culture, conservation of biodiversity, self-identity and future, as well as the position of women in Maya communities.
During the interviews with the participants, as a response to the question related to the future of the Maya communities, a student Alan Rangel Monte Borges from UIMQRoo described the situation as challenging:
“I am Maya and I am the same as anyone from Europe, America, Asia. I would like to have an opportunity to graduate, find a decent job and live normally.”
“ICDO has placed emphasis on the voices of the Mayan community and is keen to work together with them for a better, more diverse and inclusive future,” ICDO President Josipa Palac said.
“La Cultura Maya no está para explicarse, está para sentirse.”, concludes Christina Ché, participant of ‘Kalan Je La’an: Following the Maya Voice’ project.