Some local advocacy groups are holding a series of educational workshops designed to address tensions and stereotypes that exist between some members of the black and latino communities.

Jessica Forres reports…



At D-C’s Foundry Methodist Church, Jorge, who prefers not to give his last name, is standing in a hallway.

“I’M AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT. I’M FROM GUATEMALA”

He along with 40 Latino and African American men and women are attending a workshop focused on building alliances between the two communities. Kristi Matthews… with the Fair Budget Coalition… helped organize the forum... She talks about some of the issues dividing both groups.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO I WORK WITH SPECIFICALLY FEEL, IMMIGRANTS ARE COMING HERE, TAKING OUR JOBS THEY ARE DRIVING DOWN THE WAGES, TAKING OUR JOBS AND WITHIN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY THEY FEEL BLACK PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE ARE LAZY, THEY DON’T WANT WORK TO HELP, THEY ARE ROBBING ME,

She says it’s the people in power who are creating these divisions.

WHEN YOU’RE FIGHTING OVER THIS 1300 HOUSING VOUCHER AND IT GORES TO IMMIGRANT..ALL YOU SEE IS THE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIRGANT TOOK YOUR VOUCHER, YOU DON’T SEE THAT WAS A POLICY PUT IN PLACE. WHAT YOU DON’T SEE IS THAT THERE WEREN’T ENOUGH VOUCHERS FOR ALL OF YOU..

Jorge, through a translator, says he's never experienced discrimination, but he thinks creating a dialogue between the two communities will help him at his job as a Day Laborer.

I'VE HEARD OF CASES WHERE COMPANIES USE TACTICS TO DIVIDE THE WORKERS. BUT I HAVE LEARNED WHILE BEING HERE THAT WORKERS HAVE SOLVED PROBLEMS OF DIVISION BY COMMUNICATING AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS.

Matthews group started hosting hosting the educational workshops in 2007.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

___

Some local advocacy groups are trying to bridge the divide between African-Americans and Latinos in the D-C region.

Jessica Forres reports…

African-American and Latino men and women sit on folding chairs inside a large room at D-C’s Foundry Methodist Church. They are listening to Kristi Matthews as she recounts why the history of Latino migration to the area.

[LATINOS BEGIN TO IMMIGRATE FROM MANY PLACES IN CENTRAL AMERICA WAS IN THE 90’S AND 80’S SPECIFICALLY SALVADORIANS, GUATEMALANS, NICARAGUANS TO COME TO DC AND OTHER PARTS OF THE US.]

Matthews is with the Fair Budget Coalition. Her group and DC Jobs with Justice are holding a series of educational workshops. They are designed to address tensions and stereotypes that exist between some members of the black and Latino communities. Jorge who prefers not give his last name, is a day laborer. He talks… through a translator… about some of the issues.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS SAY THAT WE ARE TAKING THE JOBS BECAUSE WE TAKE JOBS AND WE DO THEM FOR LESS MONEY... AND FROM OUR PART THERE’S ALSO DIVISION BECAUSE A LOT OF THE CONTRACTORS WHO PICK UP DAYLABORERS WILL NOT PAY IF THEY HAPPEN TO BE AFRICAN-AMERICAN, IT BECOMES A NEGATIVE THING.

Matthews, herself, blames politicians for exacerbating these divisions.

WE’RE DEALING SO MUCH WITH DIVISION TOOLS THAT ARE BEING USED VERY INTENTIONALLY BY POWERS THAT BE THAT KEEP US FIGHTING OVER THE CRUMBS, WE’RE NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE PIE AND ASK FOR MORE.

More than 40 people attended the workshop on Saturday…

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Thousands of local residents celebrated the first day of the National Cherry Blossom Festival…

Jessica Forres was there for some of the events…



[NAT: DRUMMERS]

Near Union Station, Taiko drummers are performing in front of the National Japanese American Memorial. About 2-hundred people are getting ready for the 11th annual Freedom Walk. It commemorates the military service of Japanese Americans and their internment during World War II.

Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki… watches the performance…

IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER OF COURSE THE MILITARY SERVICE OF JAPANESE AMERICANS THROUGH VERY HARD EXPERIENCES AND INTERNMENT WAS A VERY HARD EXPERIENCE AND THEY HAVE OVERCOME AND I THINK IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER IT.

The walk kicked off the two-week long Cherry Blossom Festival. The tradition dates back to 1912, when Japan donated the first of the famous Yoshino Cherry trees in a gesture of friendship. For some local residents, such as Quail Rogers-Bloch, the festival is a celebration of spring. Her favorite event...the Kite Festival near the Washington Monument...

[THE KITE FESTIVAL IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITES..]

The Cherry Blossoms are expected to be in full bloom between April 1st and April 4th.

The pace of sales of existing homes in the U.S. rose 5.1 percent in February, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Jessica Forres spoke with some local real estate agents about what's motivating buyers to get back in the market...



In Takoma Park, Maryland, Andrew Eisel, a real estate agent, greets two prospective buyers who’ve showed up for his Open House…

[ NAT: IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROOM SIZES]

He’s optimistic the home will sell. He says that’s because the buyers are back…

SIX MONTHS AGO I WASN’T SEENING A LOT OF ACTIVITY. I HAD ONE LISTING AND NO BUYERS AT THAT TIME AND RIGHT NOW, I’VE GOT A FEW MORE LISTINGS THAT I DID AND I’VE GOT FOUR ACTIVE BUYERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING.

Beth Dudrow is touring the brick Colonial with her husband. They stopped looking for houses a year ago because prices were too high. She says that’s changed.

PRICES SEEM TO BE COMING DOWN AND WE’RE TOLD THAT SOME OF THESE HOUSES CAN BE BOUGHT FOR LESS THAN WHAT THEY’RE LISTING AT…

At another Open House in Silver Spring, Maryland, Russell Carlson is looking at a 2 bedroom white, bungalow listed at 350,000 dollars.

He says the price is right for him.

I WOULD HATE TO BUY AND HAVE IT DROP BY ANOTHER 25 PERCENT BUT I DON’T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

Neither does Michele Topel, the listing agent. She says there’s a window of opportunity for buyers now, especially with new tax incentives and historically low interest rates.

I WOULD PREDICT THAT WHAT WE’RE GOING TO SEE AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER ARE SOME HOPEFULLY SOME STRONGER NUMBERS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC REGION.

Regionally, existing - home sales jumped a little over 6 percent in February, but that is still down 11.2 % from the same time period last year.

Jessica Forres WAMU

Some real estate agents in the Washington region say buyers are becoming more optimistic about the housing market again.

Jessica Forres reports....



Open house signs line the front lawn of a bungalow in Silver Spring, Maryland. Inside, Michele Topel, a real estate agent, waits in the living room for prospective buyers. She is confident the 350,000- dollar house will sell. She says buyers are back...

I’M SEEING PEOPLE WHO CONSIDERED JUMPING INTO THE HOUSING MARKET NOW FINALLY COMING IN, ACTUALLY BUYING AND WRITING CONTRACTS.

Though six months ago that wasn’t the case….

IT WAS REALLY, REALLY SCARY, I’VE BEEN IN REAL ESTATE FOR TWENTY YEARS AND I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE… WE WERE REALLY WORRIED.

The recent influx of buyers, she believes, is a result of historically low interest rates and tax incentives.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE REALIZE THAT WE ARE IN A UNIQUE SORT OF WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW THAT MAY NOT EXIST IN ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.

Across town in Bethesda, Maryland, another real estate agent, Ana Barbosa..

[NAT: HERE WE HAVE A SOFA,]

It's a six bedroom Dutch Colonial House priced a little over a million dollars. She is also confident about the real estate market.

I THINK THE MARKET IS ACCOMODATING ITSELF TO THE ARTIFICIAL BUBBLE THAT WE HAD FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS OR SO.

That's good news for buyers. Both realators say a few years ago their houses would probably have sold for more than their listed today.

- SO DO YOU THINK WE’VE HIT THE BOTTOM
- YES
- ABSOLUTELY, I THINK WE HIT THE BOTTOM TWO MONTHS AGO

Real estate agent Topel says the greatest demand is for houses priced below 6-hundred thousand dollars.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Runners weren’t the only ones taking part in the fourth annual National Marathon… the event also brought out local peanut farmers who are racing to rebuild consumer confidence in their products.

Jessica Forres was there…



[NAT: GET YOUR PEANUTS]

That’s Clarke Fox…a peanut grower in Virginia. He’s at the D-C armory passing out airplane size peanut bags.

I CAME OUT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS OF PEANUTS.

He says times have been tough since January when more than 2-thousand peanut products tested positive for Salmonella and they were all recalled.

THE MARKETPLACE ISN’T SUPPORTING THE PEANUT INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW BUT WE’RE HOPING FOR A QUICK TURN AROUND TO GET THIS THING BACK ROLLING AGAIN.

Marie Fenn, with the National Peanut Board hopes attending events such as the National Marathon… will do just that and rebuild consumer confidence.

MOSTLY WHAT WE’RE HEARING IS OH PEANUTS I LOVE PEANUTS…

Fenn says major national brands of jarred peanut butter were not among the products recalled.

_________

Peanut farmers are reaching out to marathon runners and their supporters in hopes of restoring consumer confidence in their products…

Jessica Forres reports…

Runners…taking part in the fourth annual National Marathon…are crossing the finish line at D-C’s armory.

[NAT: ANTHONY PERKINS]

They are being greeted by the customary race officials and someone they may not have expected, a peanut farmer from Virginia. Clarke Fox is passing out packets of peanuts. He hopes this little snack will wet their appetite for more. Fox says times have been tough this year after more than 2-thousand peanut products were recalled following a Salmonella outbreak.

WELL RIGHT NOW I’M COMMITTED TO GROWING ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF WHAT I HAD PLANNED ON GROWING FOR THIS COMING YEAR.

Standing next to Fox, Marie Fenn with the National Peanut Board says their free samples seem to be working...

WE’VE HAD A FEW PEOPLE ASK QUESTIONS SO WE CAN HELP TO CLARIFY THAT PEANUT BUTTER SOLD IN THEIR GROCERY STORE AND IN THE JARS HAS NEVER BEEN IMPACTED BY THE RECALL.

Published reports have suggested jarred peanut butter sales decreased about 20 percent in January compared to the same time period last year.

One D-C Councilmember is turning the dream of college into a reality for some local High School students.

Jessica Forres reports…



Twenty four students from Anacostia High School are on their way to North Carolina where representatives from more than twenty Historically Black Colleges and Universities will either admit or deny them on the spot.

Madeline Foreman, an English Teacher, rides with her students on the charter bus...

I PICK THE ONES WHO HAVE THE 2.0’S , THE 1.7’S. THE KINDS OF G.P.A’S THAT NOBODY WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT.

But the students, she says, have the same potential as an IVY- Leaguer...

I SEE THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE SOME PUSH BEHIND THEM. THEY DON’T GET IT AT HOME MAYBE OR MAYBE THEIR PARENTS ARE WORKING..

Such as Joi Martin… a senior at Dunbar High School…She is one of a hundred students from 15 D-C High Schools who decided to attend the fair. She holds a transcript in one hand and five applications in the other…

MY MOTHER SHE NOT REALLY INVOLVED IN MY EDUCATION LIKE SHE SHOULD BE SO THAT’S WHAT MADE REALLY START PUSHING MYSELF.

Taunya Monroe… a senior admissions officer at North Carolina’s Bennett College for Women… looks at her transcript and likes what she sees...

CONGRATULATIONS MA’AM AND WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2013,

It's the second year D-C Councilmember Kwame Brown organized and raised money for the trip...

YOU KNOW I WAS AT THE BOTTOM AND SOME OF THESE KIDS ARE AT THE BOTTOM SOMEONE NEEDS TO SAY THEY TOO CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IF SOMEONE GIVES THEM A HAND UP AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO HERE TODAY.

More than 80 percent of the qualifed students were accepted into at least one college.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News



D-C Councilmember Kwame Brown is helping local high school students realize their dream of a college education.

Jessica Forres reports...

At a community college in Tarboro, North Carolina, Joi Martin, a senior at Dunbar Highschool, is talking with admissions officers who are accepting and denying students on the spot. She hands Chris Withers her transcript...

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS GET YOUR G-P-A UP BECAUSE OF THIS RIGHT HERE.

Martin is one of a hundred seniors and juniors from 15 D-C High Schools who traveled on charter buses for the fair of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

D-C Councilmember Kwame Brown who helped organize the trip... says most of the students have low grade point averages but great potential...

SOMEONE HELPED ME RIGHT AND I NEED TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN AND HOPEFULLY I’M HELPING THE NEXT ONE OF ME THAT’S GOING TO GO FARTHER AND BETTER.

Martin is one of those students...she received three F's her first two years of high school, but is now making A's and B's.

I WAS EXPECTING MY MOTHER TO BE WELL LIKE YOU NEED TO SEEK THAT CHANGE BUT WHEN I NOTICED IT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN I'M LIKE I JUST HAVE TO DO IT FOR MYSELF.

Her dedication finally pays off. Taunya Monroe…the senior admissions officer at North Carolina’s Bennett College for Women...likes what she sees...

WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2013, YOU JUST HAVE TO CHOOSE US NOW CUZ WE’VE CHOSEN YOU.

It's too early to tell how many seniors were accepted but Councilmember Brown says last year 43 out of 44 students gained acceptance into at least one college.

Kavitha Cardoza, my colleague at WAMU 88.5 FM and one of the best reporters I know, was snubbed by DC's Mayor Adrian Fenty when she asked him to explain his answer to her question.

More reporters, including myself, should be more like Cardoza. It's our job to find out what public officials actually mean when they give us blanket statements such as the one Mayor Fenty gave Cardoza.

The City Paper's Mike DeBonis sums it up nicely on his blog.

Kudos to commenter “al gonzales” for pointing this out.

Yesterday, WAMU-FM reporter Kavitha Cardoza did a piece [Windows Media/RealPlayer] on the DCPS budget hearing held Tuesday, which was announced only six days ahead of time and which only “about a dozen” persons reportedly attended.

Kind of a boring piece, with requisite outrage from veteran activists Mary Levy and Margot Berkey—until Cardoza put Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on the spot about the short notice.

His verbatim reply, if you can call it that: “Yeah, I think the person who said it right is that we’re providing an information in real time probably summed it up best.”

A typical content-free response from Fenty, sure, but that isn’t even a sentence, far as LL can parse. Replied Cardoza, “What does that—I don’t understand what that means.”

Said Fenty, “I can’t translate. All I can give you is a response to your question.”

In that case, we’re all still waiting.

A local non-profit is hoping that a little sprucing up in D-C's Adams Morgan neighborhood will help bussiness owners attract more customers.

Jessica Forres reports…



Batuhan Sen stands outside of Meze Restaurant… one of the many independent, restaurants and bars lining 18th street. He’s been there since the restaurant opened eight years ago and this is the first time he’s seen sales decline...15 percent down from a year ago.

WE ARE TRYING TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN. WE ARE TRYING TO REDUCE THE COSTS AND I MYSELF HAVE STARTED BARTENDING DURING THE WEEK.

Sitting outside of the Adams Mill Bar and Grill, Lisa Duperier with Adams Morgan Main Street… a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing the neighborhood…says there’s no question that businesses are cash-strapped. That’s why the group is helping redo their exteriors...

THERE’S A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR DOLLARS NOW AND PATRONS HAVE CHOICES OF WHERE TO GO SO MAKING SURE THAT THE BUSINESS EXTERIORS LOOK INVITING AND INVITE PEOPLE IN SO WHEN THEY ARE WALKING ALONG THE STREET PERHAPS SEEING IT FROM A BUS OR A CAR IF THE EXTERIOR LOOKS MORE INVITING THERE’S A GREATER CHANCE OF PATRONS INSIDE.

Back at Meze, the patio floor has been paint red and the rails black and white. Sen says it's the little things that are important...especially now...

ITS PART OF THE AMBIENCE SO I BELIEVE AS IN TOTAL IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

It's too early to tell if the work is paying off, but Adams Morgan Main Street’s Duperier notes no bussinesses in Adam's Morgan have closed yet.


Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

____

Some businesses in DC's Adams Morgan neighborhood are receiving help from a local non-profit to spruce up their store fronts.

Jessica Forres reports...

Crooked Beat Records on 18th street specializes in vinyl records. Bill Daily is the owner.

WE’VE BEEN AROUND FOR TWELVE YEARS AND WE’VE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON INDEPENDENT LABELS AND STUFF THAT’S REALLY HARD TO FIND. WE KIND OF SHUN THE MAIN STREET STUFF OF WHAT CIRCUIT CITY AND BEST BUY ALL OF THEM DO.

His sales are up but the number of walk-in customers is down.

WE’VE TURNED OUR FOCUS IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS A LOT MORE ONLINE. WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN SELLING ONLINE AND NOW WE’VE PROBABLY DOUBLED OUR EFFORTS ON ONLINE SALES.

Lisa Duperier with Adams Morgan Main Street… a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing the neighborhood… is sitting outside of Adams Mill Bar and Grill. Her group is helping business owners, such as Daily, beautify their store fronts to attract customers.

THERE’S NO QUESTION THAT EVERYONE CAN TELL THERE’S AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND ADAMS MORGAN IS NO DIFFERENT AND WHAT ADAMS MORGAN MAIN STREET TRIED TO DO IS A QUICK FIX DESIGN FAÇADE SPRUCE UPS THAT MEANS FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU HAVE A BASEMENT ENTRANCE, YOU PAINT THE BASEMENT STAIRS AND YOU TRY TO MAKE THE AREA MORE INVITING.

The group paid a professional to paint the wall outside Daily's store.

HE’S DONE SEVERAL COATS AND IT REALLY STANDS OUT A LOT BETTER AND CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE MADE COMMENTS ARE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT THE GUY HAS DONE.

They're hoping those comments result in more business. Dupiere notes no businesses inAdams Morgan have closed yet.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 news

In Bethesda Maryland, runners and walkers hit the Capital Crescent trail to protest against the proposed Purple Line…

Jessica Forres was there…



[NAT: THREE-TWO-ONE GO]

John Hay of Chevy Chase and more than 450 runners and walkers are taking part in the “No Rail on the Trail” 10K race.

I CAN’T IMAGINE HOW WE CAN HAVE A TRAIN AND RUNNERS AND BIKERS ON THE TRAIL AT THE SAME TIME.

They want County Officials to re-evaluate their plans for a purple line transit way between Bethesda and Silver Spring. Pam Browning helped organize the race.

THE TREES OF THE RIGHT OF WAY ARE ALL GOING TO BE CUT DOWN

Web Smedley…with Purple Line Now…runs on the trail frequently.

WE’RE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE RUNNING COMPANY SPONSPORED A RACE BETWEEN BETHESDA AND GEORGETOWN AND WE’D LOVE TO SEE THEM SPONSOR A RACE WHEN THE CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL IS COMPLETED WITH THE PURPLE LINE.

The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously in favor of the Purple transit line.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

_____________________________________

Although the Montgomery County Council has voted unanimously in favor of the so-called Purple line linking Bethesda and Silver Spring… many residents remain strongly opposed.

Jessica Forres reports...

In Bethesda, Maryland more than 450 runners and walkers are participating in a 10K race. Most of them sport “No Rail on the Trail” stickers.

[NAT: and they're off]

Pam Browning is with the Petition to Save the Trail organization. She wants County officials to re-evaluate their plans for a Purple Line.

WE’RE JUST GOING TO KEEP ON RAISING AWARENESS. WE HAVE YEARS TO THAT. THERE’S NO IMINENT PURPLE LINE COMING. THERE’S NO MONEY FOR THIS.

Web Smedley…with Purple Line Now…runs the trail frequently. He’s disappointed by the race.

WE’RE CERTAINLY TRYING TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE AND COME TOGETHER TO COMPLETE IT…A TRAIL THAT MEETS THE GOALS OF THE BIKERS AND HIKERS AND RACERS.

The proposed 16-mile transit line is expected to cost 1.2 billion dollars.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

The National Park Service has proposed a new plan to renovate the Mall and restore some of its monuments…

But as Jessica Forres reports some local students are already on it ...

[NAT: SWEEPING]

Hidden behind trees and overgrown shrubs, there stands the DC World War I memorial. But the monument.. which honors those who fought in so-called Great War of the 20^th century…isn’t looking so great.

Leaves and branches litter the ground and mold stains the white, marble dome.

That’s why Ruth Fikeru, an eighth grader from DC’City Public Charter School, is sweeping the cracked sidewalk in front of the memorial.

IT’S NOT A NATIONAL MEMORIAL IT’S LIKE JUST FOR D-C AND SO IT’S KIND OF LIKE OUR JOB TO CLEAN IT UP AND I THINK THAT WAS ALSO THE PLAN WHEN THEY WERE BUILDING THAT D-C WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

But neither DC nor the National Park Service have taken responsibility for maintaining the monument. Edwin Fountain is with the WWI Memorial Foundation, a group trying to raise funds for the memorial’s restoration.

WHEN THIS WAS DEDICATED IN 1931 THERE WERE NO NATIONAL WAR NO NATIONAL WAR MEMORIALS BUT IT WASN’T UNTIL THE VIETNAME VETS CAME ALONG THAT THERE BECAME A MOVE FOR A NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL TO THE VIETNAM WAR.

He says so far 14-thousand dollars has been raised.

____________________________________

The National mall is one of the most visited landmarks in the nation’s capital and one of the most neglected.

Jessica Forres reports on how local students are trying to help out...

RUNS: 38

SOC

[Nat sound of student sweeping ground…]

Ruth Fikeru, a student at Capital City Charter School in DC, is sweeping the leaves around the WWI memorial.

THE DEBRIS FROM THE TREES AND EVERYTING IS GETTING ON THE MEMORIAL AND THE ACID RAIN IS RUINING THE MARBLE.

Fikeru and her classmates along with students across the nation are trying to clean and raise funds for the restoration of the memorial. Edwin Fountain is with the World War I foundation.He says the National Pak Service has been taking care of it but lately that has become a struggle.

“Funding”

The foundation has raised 14-thousand dollars in the US and is reaching out to European countries for support.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

Natural-resources extractive companies are profiting financially and socially when they consult with affected communities before and during the construction of projects.

“Rio Tinto and De Beers, for example, have negotiated agreements with communities to avoid harm and provide benefits. In so doing, they have gained local support for projects, and communities have seized opportunities for development,” said Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute (WRI). “But more work needs to be done. Too often, the rhetoric in support of community engagement does not match the practice.”

The report, Breaking Ground: Engaging Communities in Extractive and Infrastructure Projects, takes an in-depth look at international community engagement standards and how they often fall short of providing guidance to companies and communities. The work follows WRI’s 2007 report, Development Without Conflict, and is designed as a user’s guide to help companies and local community liaisons implement successful standards on-the-ground.

“Many national laws and financial institutions’ policies require companies to implement some type of community engagement in extractive and infrastructure projects, but do not necessarily provide guidance on how to do so,” said Kirk Herbertson of WRI, lead author of the report. “When local communities participate in the design and implementation of a project, they are more likely to understand and support the changes brought about by the project.”

In one of the examples from the report, community engagement during the construction of a natural gas project in the Philippines saved a U.S. company millions by allowing the company to complete construction ahead of schedule.

In another example, from Guatemala, a mining company helped rebuild its damaged reputation by inviting local communities to test and monitor water quality, as a way to provide credible assurances that a mine was not polluting their water source.

WRI’s accompanying video documentary on Thailand’s Mae Moh coal power project shows what happens when companies and governments refuse to engage the communities they develop. Hundreds of people filed a lawsuit against the government-controlled Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), alleging the coal mine and power plant poisoned them with toxic sulfur dioxide emissions and mine dust, and damaged their crops.

On Tuesday of this week, which is officially the World Bank’s Extractive Industries Week, a Thai court ruled that EGAT must compensate each of the victims and restore the environmental damage of the coal mine.

Extractive industry experts said at the World Bank conference that they continue to recognize the importance of engaging communities in mining projects, despite the ongoing economic crisis.