1. Accueil
  2. 2017-2020 ODYSSEY
  3. Chile
Stopover
Chile
Valparaiso
The stopover in figures
8 stopover
250 students welcomed aboard
850 official guests
Valparaiso June 2018

Valpo or the valley of paradise

Valparaiso, Chile’s primary port, is the 8th stopover for the Race for Water Odyssey 2017-2021. The Foundation’s ambassador vessel stayed there from 10 to 16 June 2018 before making for the port of Talcahuano (Concepcion) just a few miles down the track for a month-long technical pit-stop. 

A TURNING POINT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONCRETE SOLUTIONS FOR EASTER ISLAND?

This eighth stopover on the Race for Water Odyssey proved to be very intense. The late arrival of the catamaran forced the teams to condense down all the scheduled events. Indeed, due to the lack of sunshine on the delivery trip between Peru and Chile, the crew led by Jean-Marc Normant had to pay special attention to managing its energy in order to make port safely on a boat powered by a mix of energy from the sun, wind and ocean. This delay of a few days didn’t prevent the team from sticking to the programme however. Raising awareness about matters relating to plastic pollution among over 850 visitors aboard the boat, including 250 schoolchildren and nearly 70 decision-makers and politicians – amongst whom was the President of Chile himself and five of his ministers – the stopover proved to be a great success, particularly in terms of the future development of Easter Island. 

Race for Water Valparaiso Chili

The production of waste per inhabitant in Chile equates to the global average with 1.1kg of waste per person per day. However, suffice to say that there is still a way to go to achieve a more sustainable method of managing waste since 97% of the waste collected ends up in what are often non-controlled landfill sites. However, the ambition is there.

Camille Rollin, Head of ACT within the Foundation: “Numerous NGOs and local cooperatives are taking action on the ground along this set of themes, particularly in Valparaiso. Interest amongst the government and manufacturers is also growing. This is evidenced by the number of directors welcomed aboard Race for Water last week, which totalled more than 70, as well as the law banning plastic bags. Right now, communication and collaboration between these different entities is necessary and urgent if we are to start taking action to implement real solutions.” During this stopover, the Race for Water Foundation facilitated a number of exchanges. The aim now is to continue with this work and to develop projects in key areas in order to set an example and do so in as short a timeframe as possible.

Marco Simeoni, President of the Race for Water Foundation: “We had the privilege of welcoming representatives of the Rapa Nui community aboard the vessel, as well as the President of Chile, Mr Piñera, his Ministers and Senators. Thanks to these meetings and by providing concrete solutions, we’ve contributed to exchanges relating to the future development of Easter Island. Guaranteeing self-sufficiency in terms of energy, water management and the recovery of waste on the most remote island in the world, such is the challenge we’ve set ourselves in collaboration with Gunter Pauli’s Zeri Foundation between now and 2020! Chile is a fantastic country and its population is very welcoming. I’m delighted I’ll have the opportunity to go back there soon to visit Concepción, then Robinson Crusoe Island and Easter Island.”  

The Foundation’s ambassador vessel arrived in the port of Talchuano, at the gateway to Concepcion, on Wednesday 20 June and benefited from a month-long pit-stop for various technical checks, before heading back out to sea on 30 July 2018 bound for the Chilean island of Robinson Crusoe.

Visit from the Chilean President aboard Race for Water

On Saturday 16 June, in Valparaiso, a symbolic meeting took place aboard the Race for Water catamaran. In fact, President Piñera, accompanied by five of his ministers and members of the Rapa Nui authorities had the chance to discover an innovative project for Easter Island. To guarantee self-sufficiency in terms of energy, water management and the recovery of waste on the most remote island in the world, such is the challenge the Race for Water Foundation and the Gunter Pauli’s Zeri Foundation have set themselves, for delivery by 2020!

Thank you to all the local supporters for their commitment alongside us and their efforts to ensure the success of this stopover:

EnregistrerEnregistrer

Did you enjoy this article? Share it!

HELP US PRESERVE THE OCEAN !

Make a donation and support our new expedition
Support us