Cochabamba, August 12, 2025 – With the participation of more than 200 young people, representatives of youth organizations, and five candidates from different political parties, the Main Auditorium of the “San Pablo” Bolivian Catholic University – Cochabamba Campus hosted the Green Forum: “Sowing the Future 2025,” a space for dialogue and proposals on the country's main environmental challenges.

The candidates are running for plurinominal seats in the Chamber of Deputies. In Bolivia, plurinominal deputies are representatives elected by proportional vote to represent an entire department in the Chamber of Deputies, based on closed lists presented by political parties. Their election is determined by the percentage of votes each party obtains in the department, based on the same vote cast for president. Plurinominal deputies participate in the drafting and approval of laws, oversight of the executive branch, and departmental political representation in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly.

Organized by Juventud Consciente Platform with support from Fundación Gaia Pacha and Solidagro, the event aimed to highlight and debate the environmental proposals of different political forces, promote informed voting, and place environmental issues on the public agenda. The forum focused on three key thematic areas: food security, water security, and environmental education. For each topic, the panelists responded to three pre-defined questions and also addressed four additional questions submitted by the audience, which were carefully selected and validated by a technical committee.

The panelists presenting their proposals were: Nicole Zambrana (Alianza Libre), Diego Andrés Brañez Leaños (Súmate), Andrea Barrientos (Alianza Unidad), Edna Pérez Espinoza (MAS–IPSP), and Andrés Huanca (Alianza Popular). This format allowed for contrasting visions and environmental policies to be presented in the same space, with the active participation of youth as a driving force for change.

The event was supported by SECRAT for audiovisual coverage and was streamed live through the social media platforms of Juventud Consciente, reaching more than 900 people virtually. Among the most applauded messages was the need for youth to demand concrete, sustainable, and measurable environmental proposals; that food security and access to water are pillars of development; that environmental education should be incorporated transversally at all levels of education; and that intergenerational and multiparty dialogue is essential to address the climate crisis. “Environmental problems have no political color, but solutions require political will,” was a sentiment shared by both participants and panelists.

The day also highlighted the growing commitment of new generations to engage in democratic processes and to oversee public policies. The enthusiasm and active participation of the attendees reflected that environmental awareness is increasingly present among young people, and that these spaces are vital for strengthening an inclusive democracy where all voices are heard.