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The World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth is currently taking place in Cochabamba, Bolivia. This four day conference is a people's direct response to the lack of binding climate legislation that is lacking on a global level. This particular conference is different than other climate conferences for the fact that the end declaration document will be a summary of 17 different working groups, all which are fueled by the active voices of people from all over the world. 

Located on the campus of Unividad Valle in the small Cochabamba village called Tiquipaya , the WPCCC was inspired by Bolivian president Evo Morales. Morales is the world's first Indigenous president and is considered to be truly a president of the people. Originally a coco farmer, Morales has paved the way for community driven legislation that gives rights back to the people on the ground level. His political views have produced a radical reform on his country as well as a lasting impact on the rest of the world.

This conference is broken up into three specific parts: the working groups, which are the spaces in which people can bring their views to the table for inclusion into the conference's final declaration, side events, which are side workshops or panels based upon specific issues that outside organizations have curated, and an outside fair area, where booths and tables are setup that showcase a variety of information from local artisans, international NGOs and government based organizations. 

Static Photography has had the opportunity to document a variety of events during the beginning of this conference. Photographer Kris Krüg has been everywhere with his camera and the photographs showcase the vibrant culture that has gathered for this monumental event.

Here is Static Photography's World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth part 1:

Registration for WPCCC was held in the Tiquipaya Municipal Coliseum. This large auditorium registered over 10,000 participants and press for the three day conference.

Many participants where from local Cochabamba Indigenous communities. This group of women are from the Quechua community which had a very strong presence at the conference.

The most important element of this conference was the fact that it was a conference for the people by the people. Registration was open and free to the public.

This large banner stretched across the inside edge of the auditorium. It states that the space was founded by the Venezuela government for the Bolivia Change campaign in the 2008 election.

Part of the conference was made up of side events, which were organized by groups and organizations participating in the conference. International filmmaker Rebecca Sommer organized an event on HydroElectric Dams in the Amazon and is seen hanging up a poster in the registration area.

The conference took place on the large university in Tiquipaya called Universidad del Valle . The Informatica y Electronica building was the main press area, which housed national and international press rooms.

The attraction to this conference was very strong for Indigenous communities. Many people from all over the world came in traditional dress for ceremonies, talks and presentations. 

The registered conference participants came from a diverse selection of age, communities and professions. These two participants were from the Bolivian Army in addition to having participants from the Bolivian Navy and Bolivian Air Force as well.

The small Cochabamba village of Tiquipaya was flooded with participants from all over the world. They welcomed us with open arms and transformed their space into the WPCCC for three days.

Over 120 nations and organizations were represented at the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth. 

Many of the graffiti and street art in the city of Cochabamba have striking political messages in them. Some of complex and cryptic and other are simply 'Vota Si' which translates into 'Vote Yes'.

There was a lot of creative energy in the main space of the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth. With the bright colors of the traditional outfits, the effortless organizing and the strong sense of community, the energy was truly infectious.

International filmmaker Joel Marsden premiered his documentary World Vote Now at the World People's Conference on Climate and the Rights of Mother Earth. Filmed over eight years, this documentary takes a look at democracy in 26 different countries.

In addition to Joel Marsden's documentary, a local film was also screened at WPCCC about the Bolivia's direct response to climate change. Here Marsden is pictured with the local documentary filmmakers.

The opening inaugeartion celebration took place on April 20th in the Univalle stadium in central Tiquipaya. Despite the hot sunny day thousands of people gathered to hear Bolivian President Evo Morales give his opening speech.

During the opening inauguration of the conference, there was a massive ceremony that was lead by multiple leaders of many indigenous groups. There were dancers, conch-blowers and these three men created the fire that acted as the center of the prayer for the ceremony.

Flanked by amazing delegation from around the world, Bolivian President Evo Morales gave an amazing speech at the opening inauguration of the whole conference. His speech included concrete ways to change our live which has direct effects on climate change, such as using handmade or porcelain bowls instead of plastic.

This group of musicians serenaded the crowd of participants as they left the stadium after the the inauguration. They played traditional wooden flutes, drums and sang beautiful songs.

This multicolored flag is the main trademark of South American Indigenous communities. Representing the colors and cultural spectrums of the hundreds of communities, this flag is a symbol that honors the diversity in all people.   

This conference has been an outpouring of the people's voices towards many different issues on climate change and the global effects that are happening every single day. The inspiration of the people gathered has been channeled into the working groups that will create the final declaration document. 

This is our history as we define it.

Please check back for more photo essays from our journey to Cochabamba, Bolivia for the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth. If you are interested in supporting our journey, feel free to check out our ChipIn page for ways to contribute. 

More Information on WPCCC:

Static Photography photo essay on World People's Conference on Climate Change 

Static Photography photo essay on Ten Year Anniversary of Cochabamba Water Wars 

Static Photography photo essay on La Via Campesina at WPCCC  

WPCCC website English

WPCCC website Spanish

Naomi Klein writes about the New Climate Movement in Bolivia  

The People vs. Climate Destruction - Evo Morales speech on Youtube

Velcrow Ripper's article From Climate Change to Climate Crisis  

WPCCC on Twitter  

Weekly Mulch: Citizens Lead Cochabamba Climate Negotiations

Mining Protests Overshadow Climate Summit article