Paper Presentation at El Congreso Latinoamericano de Ecología Política Universidad de Chile, 22, 23 and 24 de Octubre 2014 Problemas y nuevos Enfoques Latinoamericanos de la Ecología Política: Post-Neoliberalismo, neo-extractivismo y políticas públicas

1. Congreso Latinoamericano de Ecología Política
Santiago, Chile I 22 al 24 de Octubre de 2014
Redefining Sustainability:
complexities, dilemmas and contradictions in Ecuador
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

2. Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

3. The Ecuadorian experiment
Ecuador currently represents a paradigm shift and a unique case as an effort for a break away from the dominant
neoliberal paradigm.
This is being manifested through several indicators:
 An introduction of radical principles to the Constitution which represent a
global first (2008). These include
 the introduction of the Rights of Nature, and
 the concept of Buen Vivir (inspired by the indigenous Sumak Kawsay)
 strategic efforts for a transition to economic model, less dependent on non-renewable
resources and extractivism. These are being coupled with a vision
for a transition to a social, knowledge-based economy.
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

4. The Ecuadorian experiment
Legal recognition of the
Rights of Nature
National Constitution
2008
Alianza País
Elections 2006
Chevron-Texaco
Oil drilling in the
Amazon
Adoption of the Buen Vivir
Plan
Timeline 2006-2014
The Iniciative Yasuní-ITT
2007-2013
Founding of Yachay FLOK Society
Ciudad de Conocimiento
The Iniciative Yasuní-ITT
Was dropped:
August 15, 2013
Project
Examination of the
legitimacy of foreign
Debt by an independent
debt audit (11/2008)
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

5. Scalar Sustainability
S for whom
S of what
Sustainability indicates the capacity of being maintained in existence without interruption or diminution.
where
S how
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

6. Scalar Sustainability
Global
National
Bio-regional
Regional
Local
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

7. Environmental Performance
Index (EPI) / epi.yale.edu
Environment
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

8. Environment
Ecuador: Ecological footprint Indicator
Global Ecological Footprint
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

9. Environment
www.ejatlas.org
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

10. Multi-level Sustainability
Environmental
Economic Social
Political
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

11. The Ecuadorian experiment
Introduction of the indigenous
peoples’ cosmovisions and
values
(Acosta, Martinez, Viteri).
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

12. The Ecuadorian experiment
Departure from the holistic
paradigm: regression
(Sousa, Vilavicencio).
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

13. Contradictions
The Yasuni Yachay/ The City of Knowledge
LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY
The FLOK Society project
Free, Libre, Open Knowledge Society
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

14. www.geoyasuni.org
Map showing current oil drilling and areas and communities implicated
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

15. Map showing current oil drilling and areas and communities implicated
www.geoyasuni.org
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

16. Contradictions
It is imperative to note that thanks to the responsible use of our non-renewable natural
resources we have strengthened the sectors of health, education, infrastructure, and thanks
to the product of the oil revenues we can enhance the development strategy of our country.
In this sense it is through our resources natural well spent that we can improve and develop
our human talent to emerge from extraction, and consolidate a knowledge society, ie "use
extractivism to exit the extractivism".
“Es imperante resaltar que gracias al aprovechamiento responsable de nuestros
recursos naturales no renovables se han fortalecido los sectores de salud, educación,
infraestructura, y es producto de esta renta petrolera que podemos potenciar la
estrategia de desarrollo de nuestro país, en tal sentido con nuestros recursos naturales
bien invertidos .podemos mejorar y desarrollar nuestro talento humano para salir del
extractivismo, y consolidar una sociedad del conocimiento, es decir usar el
extractivismo para salir del extractivismo”.
Speech to the National Assembly (Rivadeneira Burbano, 2013, p. 2)
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

17. Yaneer Bar-Yam
New England Complex Systems
Institute
Governance
Control Structures
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

18. Governance
A Managerial approach to
governance
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

19. Conclusions
The Ecuadorian experiment has achieved positive changes towards social progress,
in education, health and public services accessible by all people with a scalar and
multilevel sustainability strategic plan through various projects, some of which
were introduced here.
But the present model of development is dependent on extractivism. Until a
transition to a non-extractivist economy has been achieved environmentally
destructive practices relating to petrol industries are going to continue.
An alternative model of post-growth economy needs to be adopted for
environmental sustainability .
A recursive governance model needs to be examined for social and political
sustainability.
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

20. References
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Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens

21. Thank you!
Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD Prometeo Researcher, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, (IAEN) Quito, National Technical University of Athens