1. Statement of the Problem/Need/Relevance

The state of Oaxaca is one the poorest and less developed in Mexico. More than 50 percent of the population of the state live in rural areas, and more than 75 percent of the municipalities are regarded as marginally poor, with very low indices of economic growth.

Among the seven distinct geographic/ethnic regions of the state, the mixteca region in the northwest section stands out because of its rich cultural past and age-old traditions which remain to this date. The economic activity has been limited to subsistence agriculture and animal husbandry.

The mixteca has an arid climate, and its geographical location is unfavorable, perched atop the Sierra Madre Occidental range, at elevations of 2000 to 3000 m.a.s.l. The infrastructure is insufficient, and the indices of schooling are low. About 31 percent of the population are unable to read, and 19 percent does not speak Spanish, but rather, the local language.

There are several factors that condition the poverty of the mixteca region. Among them are environmental deterioration, social backwardness, low schooling of the population, and lack of efficient comunications. The rate of economic growth is 0.76 percent, which is about a third of Mexico's overall rate (2.5 percent). This poor economic performance is largely attributed to emigration, the practice of the local population, particularly those between 15 and 49 years of age, to leave the region in search for better opportunities elsewhere. Thus, many communities in the mixteca are currently depopulated and in frank decay.

The situation in the mixteca is aggravated due to the apparent lack of relationship between the environmental, economic, and social problems that beset the region. In fact, careful analysis reveals that there may be a common thread between the misuse and abuse of natural resources, the lack of education (which leads to backwardness, lack of jobs, and subsequent emigration), the cultural roadblocks to mainstream integration, and the material and social poverty of the region.

The concept of sustainable development applies not only to the control of hyperactive economies such as those that prevail in parts of the developed world, but also to sustain and redirect the hypoactive economies, particularly those that appear to be in a downward spiral of environmental degradation.

Thus, there is an urgent need to assess the relationship between environmental, social, economic, and cultural traits in the mixteca region. The overall aim is to redirect and sustain development and to bring about an improvement in the quality of life. The latter is broadly defined as the development of the social and economic potential, within the bounds of natural laws (ecosystemic laws) and cultural traits (local ancestral traditions).

2. Objectives/Outcomes/Clients

3. Research Method/Approach

4. Qualifications/Appropiateness of the Research Team

5. Schedule