The Second Binational Gathering of Women Weavers of Amazonian Knowledge and Entrepreneurship brought together women and youth in Puerto Leguízamo, Colombia, on September 26 and 27 to share ancestral knowledge, highlight productive initiatives, and strengthen ties between border communities. Misión Putumayo’s participation highlighted the value of cultural identity, intergenerational dialogue, and care for our Common Home.
Women and youth from Misión Putumayo participated in the Second Binational Gathering of Women Weavers of Amazonian Knowledge and Entrepreneurship, a forum that promotes the exchange of knowledge, the strengthening of local businesses, and the recognition of the cultural richness of Amazonian peoples.
Held in Puerto Leguízamo, Colombia, on September 26 and 27, 2026, the gathering provided an opportunity to share experiences, showcase products made in the local territories, and strengthen relationships among border communities. The initiative highlighted the role of women and youth in passing down ancestral knowledge and in developing economic alternatives linked to Amazonian cultural identity.
Spirituality and Ancestral Knowledge That Strengthen the Community
The first day took place in the auditorium of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Leguízamo. Following the opening remarks, participants engaged in a moment of spiritual harmonization according to the tradition of the Murui people, recognizing the importance of spirituality and indigenous knowledge in the life of the communities.
Subsequently, organizations and institutions shared their proposals to support the strengthening of women-led enterprises. The dialogue helped identify opportunities to advance these initiatives, facilitate their commercialization, and promote greater appreciation for Indigenous cultures.
This space for exchange reaffirmed the importance of building collaborative processes that recognize communities’ knowledge and support their initiatives with respect for their identities and ways of life.
Amazonian Enterprises That Care for Our Common Home
On Sunday, September 27, the activities moved to the municipal park in Puerto Leguízamo, where participants presented their enterprises and offered products made from Amazonian fruits and other knowledge developed within their communities.
Each initiative provided an opportunity to share practices passed down through generations and to demonstrate how local knowledge can be transformed into economic alternatives that value biodiversity and territorial identity.
These ventures reflect the effort, creativity, and organizational skills of Amazonian women, who contribute to supporting their families and strengthening their communities through initiatives rooted in their culture.
From this perspective, the event also invites us to recognize that the development of local economies can go hand in hand with the protection of nature and the transmission of ancestral knowledge.
Young People Keep the Amazon’s Cultural Richness Alive
Misión Putumayo’s participation was also marked by the artistic expression of young people and adults, who performed traditional dances that shared the cultural richness of their communities with the audience.
The performance was well-received by the audience and the jury, which awarded a prize to the participating group.
Beyond this achievement, the experience allowed young people to take an active role in passing on their traditions, share their talents outside their communities, and strengthen their ties with adult women who lead productive initiatives.
This intergenerational gathering opened new opportunities for mutual learning, collaboration, and the recognition of culture as a source of identity, belonging, and hope.
Women and Youth Weaving New Opportunities for the Amazon
The Second Binational Canasto event provided women who are launching their own ventures with a space to engage in dialogue with other female leaders, exchange experiences, and strengthen their initiatives. These connections help consolidate support networks and create opportunities for the growth of community projects.
The experience of Misión Putumayo demonstrates that when women have spaces to develop their skills and young people find opportunities to express their talents, processes of social and cultural transformation in the Amazonian territories are strengthened.
For the Church with an Amazonian face, these initiatives represent an opportunity to accompany communities, recognize the leading role of women and youth, and promote processes that integrate spirituality, culture, the local economy, and care for our Common Home.
Weaving hope in the Amazon means recognizing the knowledge of its peoples, strengthening the initiatives that emerge from these territories, and creating spaces where new generations can keep their identity alive. Through Misión Putumayo, women and young people continue to demonstrate that culture, shared work, and solidarity are seeds capable of generating new opportunities for community life.
