ABOUT US
The OndAzul Foundation is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation
founded in 1990. Its main goal is to promote and participate in initiatives
aimed at preserving, conserving and optimising the sustainable use
of Brazil’s water resources and their associated environments.
The Foundation was started by Gilberto Gil after leading the successful
environmental movement also called OndAzul. During its first years,
OndAzul’s strongest point was its innovative use of communications,
particularly during the efforts to promote clean beaches such as the
“Beautiful Beach – Clean Beach” and “Don’t
Let the Sea Die at the Beach” campaigns, which struck a chord
with large numbers of the Brazilian public.
From the start, it was made clear that environmental issues were first
and foremost cultural issues. Solutions to environmental issues must
come through changes in behaviour, greater environmental awareness
and a broader world view. Therefore, communication, information and
education were OndAzul’s most vital tools during its first years.
Staying faithful to the original movement’s goals, the foundation
took part in several initiatives and protests in defence of the Bay
of Todos os Santos in Bahia, the Sao Francisco River in the northeast
of Brazil and changes to the Linha Verde Highway linking the northern
coast of Bahia.
However, OndAzul realised that it was paramount to extend its work
beyond water-related issues and tackle the broader, interconnected
economic and social issues. Over the last five years, with these new
goals in mind, OndAzul – through its offices in Salvador and
Rio de Janeiro – has been discussing, developing, putting into
action and promoting several projects which not only focus on water-related
issues such as the preservation and conservation of aquatic ecosystems
but also deal with urbanisation (developing settlement alternatives);
re-using solid materials; environmental recovery and revitalisation.
OndAzul is also involved in projects to co-manage Conservation Units.
In most of its projects, OndAzul’s work is based on the following
three principles: assessment of support capability, environmental
education and the sustainable use of natural resources.
OndAzul also has experience in conducting participative management
and income generation programmes; producing community radio stations;
creating and putting into practice responsible tourism programmes;
communicating with local authorities and coordinating joint projects
between different municipalities; and developing environmental databases.
Above all, OndAzul has the significant capability to unite people,
the public and the private sectors.
According to these principles, the OndAzul Foundation focuses on the
establishment of partnerships with several sectors of society –
governments, public and private companies, universities and other
NGOs - in the development of its activities.
OndAzul has always adopted a pro-active attitude. We believe that
the fundamental role of non-governmental organisations is to induce
public policies.
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