David Barron discusses ICCF Colombia on Opinion Mundial [6:04-11:09]

in order to create jobs, grow the economy, but also to protect the long term viability of the natural resource base. So here we have this model which transcends party, politics, constituencies, personal interests to actually do what's in the best interest of the nation in thinking longer term, to unleash the power, the value of the natural resources, but without invading the foundational long term, the CCC offers an opportunity for political leaders that span the political spectrum in Colombia to work together on what's in the best interest of the country as a whole. If the market value of natural resources can be realized by the nation to create jobs to develop the economy, but in such a way that it actually preserves the long term viability of wild places, of forest, of water, to minimize pollution in rivers and in the air, here we have the unique model where a multipartisan collaboration can actually accomplish something that transcends party interest, constituency interest, personal interest in such a way that they're doing what's in the best interest of the nation as a whole. What is this multi-sectorial entrepreneurship? Well that's an interesting question because sometimes environmentalists ask why do you have corporations involved? Why are there energy companies? Why are there mining companies involved in this collaboration? And the answer is very important, because they're with us, they're part of the solution or they're potentially just part of the problem. There are companies that are very aware of their responsibility in order to have the least footprint possible on the environment, but we need energy, we need natural resources. And yet we need to know how in order to exploit those in the most opportunistic manner in the most viable manner for the least impact on the environment long term. We have a strong NGO base, non-governmental organization base. A lot of concentration groups support us globally in the United States and now in Colombia as well. And to have those conservation NGOs and those corporations working together, they can synthesize the recommendations that then become the valuable information that policymakers can utilize in order to make their policy decisions. And they know that there's a balance. It isn't just the environment, it isn't just profit, it actually becomes what's in the best interest of the Colombian people, the Colombian economy, but in such a way that we are friends of the environment in the process and that we do as little damage as possible. And ideally have the offsets and the other models that are designed and in place that are a net plus for the environment, eventually. What is the role of the Congress of the Republic, especially the representative camera with the foundation? Well, in two ways. To function as a secretariat in order to provide continuity and structure and communications and bringing together the interested parties on a regular basis, setting up the communication system so that there's a good exchange of ideas that are not just within the Colombian Congress but also with other Congresses in the region and in the world. Cross-pollination being a very important part of this because we can share ideas with legislators and other parts of the world that will allow us to learn from their experiences. But also as a brain trust. Again, bringing the private sector, the corporate community together with the NGO community and leaders in the government community creates an educational institutional presence that allows review of challenges or allows a longer term approach to analyzing what works, what models have worked other places but how they might apply in Colombia. What are Colombia's unique challenges? Where can we find the best in the brightest in order to support those? There's a lot of talent in Colombia. There are a lot of good partners already here but there's a lot of talent around the world.