About FUNAM Join us Campaigns Achievements News' desk Accusations Home Previous Page Next Page   FUNAM is non-governmental organization (NGO) that links both people and institutions towards a sustainable development.     Environment Defense Foundation (FUNAM) has consultative status at United Nations' Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). FUNAM is Global 500 Award from United Nations

Awards. FUNAM received several national and international prizes, among them the Global 500 Award from United Nations in 1987. After 20 years of work FUNAM is widely known all over Argentina and abroad. FUNAM received public recognition from indigenous people, grassroots organizations, groups of citizens and farmers, NGOs, local governments and international organizations. Such credibility is our most valuable treasure. Main awards. 1986. The ecological pages published by FUNAM at “La Voz del Interior” newspaper received the “Preserving the Future Award” from the national Park Administration (Buenos Aires, Argentina). 1987. FUNAM received the Global 500 Award from United Nations (UNEP). Such year the award was also granted to “Chico” Mendes. 1989. FUNAM received the “Bigua Prize” from the NGO “Commission for Environmental Communication” (Cordoba, Argentina). 1989. The president of FUNAM, Raul A. Montenegro, received the Global 500 Award from United Nations (UNEP). 1995. FUNAM received the “Drop of Water Award” from the Federal Council on Water and Sanitation, COFAPYS (Buenos Aires, Argentina). 1998. FUNAM received the “Maestro Daniel Reyes Award” for its achievements on environmental education (Mar del Plata, Argentina). 2000. The TV program “Solo Medio Ambiente” (= “Only Environment” in English, see below) was granted with the national “Fund-TV Award 2000”. 2001. The TV program “Planetamigo” (= “Friend Planet” in English, see below) received the Santa Clara Award 2001. The program was also nominated for the Martin Fierro Award. The “FundTV” Award received by “Solo Medio Ambiente” and the “Santa Clara” Award received by “Planetamigo” are the two most prestigious prizes for television in Argentina. Fields of work and achievements.  FUNAM is open to people’s problems and needs, and offers available skills, tools and information for solving them. Nevertheless, FUNAM don’t represent people: FUNAM work with them. For doing such work we have a sustainable institutional size, low budget and volunteer-based structures. FUNAM is not bureaucratic. Since 1982 we optimize the use of scarce resources.   In spite of the limitations imposed by such scarcity of funds we developed a huge scope of working fields.  1. Training of the civil society. Among the citizen’s questions we attempt to answer are How to obtain information? How to be organized? How to mobilize people? How to produce alternative proposals? Hot to present them? How to protest? How to be listened? How to be in contact with media? How to protect our demonstrations from violence? How to negotiate our requests and proposals with governments and corporations? How to evaluate the results? We train people on these issues, and we learn from them. Each training process is prior to any joint work. Such training includes skills, tools and practices. Most of this bi-directional training takes place during public hearings, small meetings and informal contacts. Of course, the training of the civil society can be achieved through traditional teaching systems (schools, universities) or through media. FUNAM is doing such work (see “Media and communication”). Nevertheless, exceptional results are obtained when people facing critic environmental problems receive such training for the first time. According our experience, each person or group having participated in a move turns into a resource person or group. Such horizontal transfer is growing both in Argentina and abroad, challenging the traditional role of NGOs and governments. FUNAM is supporting this strategy. 2. Advocacy. We receipt people’s problems and needs through personal visits, mail, telephone, fax and e-mail. If we agreed, joint or independent moves and campaigns can be organized. Our main conditions for any joint work are open participation, gender balance and self-organization of affected people. Only when a person or group are at risk we act on their behalf. In such cases we protect theirs identities. In other cases FUNAM develops its own moves and campaigns. According to the issue or the size of the problem we ask the support of interested people and organizations. Most of the time we work with partners. Such issues are selected from public denounces, our own research or news appeared in media. For this purpose FUNAM is permanently analyzing the environmental reality of Argentina and abroad. Such results are also used for the feeding of our Web site, that contains a news’ desk (www.funam.org.ar).       Main achievements. 1982-1993. Campaign to forbid the use of ethyl-paration and methyl-parathion pesticides in Argentina. Such campaign included press conferences, articles on media and public hearings. Many NGOs worked in the same field. Both products were finally prohibited in Argentina (1993). 1980-1997. Campaign to reduce the eutrophication and mismanagement of the San Roque lake. FUNAM produced an alternative action plan called "A clean lake for all". Such plan includes more than 130 concrete proposals (1989).  After a long battle, public demonstrations and claims at the Court of Justice presented by the President of FUNAM, Raul Montenegro, some projects were started.   1983-1989. Campaign to close the uranium mining of Los Gigantes which polluted  the San Roque basin. After six years of battle the uranium mining was closed in 1989. The president of FUNAM was threatened. 1983-1997. Campaign to stop the deforestation of natural ecosystems, mainly forests of Chaco Biogeographic Province. Claim at the Court of Justice against the Government, which authorized the deforestation of 50.000 hectares infringing the Environmental Regulation 7343. The Ministry of Agriculture was prosecuted. 1983-1997. Campaign against large discharges of low level doses of radioactive material by Embalse and Atucha I nuclear power plants. FUNAM’s public releases containing technical information began a national discussion on the issue. 1984. Campaign against a project of regulation made by Parliamentarian Julio Cesar Araoz promoting “nuclear explosions for engineering works”. After a strong campaign and public debate, his project was cancelled. 1984-2002. Campaign to reduce the discharges of hazardous pollutants from petrochemical industries located in the city of Rio Tercero (Cordoba, Argentina). During this campaign the public was immediately noticed about accidental releases. 1986. Campaign to denounce the leak of heavy water at Embalse nuclear power plant. This heavy water containing radioisotopes like Tritium 3, Cesium 137, Strontium 90 and others was discharged into the Embalse lake (Cordoba). 1987. Campaign to denounce a serious accident that happened at Embalse nuclear power plant in June 1983 (the greatest in Argentina). This accident was keep secret by the Atomic Energy Agency during more than 3 years. Fortunately this accident, similar in the beginning to Three Mile Island case, don’t produced leak of radioactive materials. 1987. FUNAM co-organized the first public demonstration in Argentina against nuclear power (August 28 th, 1987). Hundreds of adults and children walked over the streets of Cordoba city protesting against nuclear power and the risks of Embalse. 1987-1996. Joint campaign to stop the building of a repository for high level radioactive waste in Sierra del Medio (Chubut province, Argentina). Among the organizations which worked on the issue were Greenpeace, Movimiento Antinuclear del Chubut (MACH) and FUNAM. After ten years of battle the project was finally discarded (1996). Nevertheless technicians from the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina still continue to promote this project. Recently a recognized scientific magazine (“Ciencia hoy”, 1997) published 3 articles supporting the repository (written by CNEA scientists) and one article against the repository (written by Raul Montenegro from FUNAM). 1988. Jointly with Federico Westerkamp and Valentin Stiglitz FUNAM and its members contributed to stop the building of the Reprocessing Laboratory or “Plutonium plant” in Ezeiza (LPR). This facility was designed by CNEA for reprocessing exhausted nuclear fuel and for obtaining Plutonium 239. Such Plutonium can be used for the making of mixed oxide fuels (MOX). A public hearing held in Esteban Echeverria near the facility was a milestone in Ezeiza’s struggle. 1988. Campaign against the building of a Cobalt 60 cartridge facility. This plant was designed by the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina (CNEA) to be built near the Embalse nuclear power facility. Montenegro argued the Regulation 7343/85 on Environmental Impact Assessment to fight against this project. Cobalt 60 cartridge facility was never built. 1988-1997. Campaign against the urban localization of CNEA’s Uranium Dioxide Plant (CNEA: Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina). This plant is located in Barrio La Fraternidad (Cordoba), a densely populated area.  This plant released in average >1 kg/year of uranium dust in the atmosphere and >100 kg/year of uranium into the public sewerage. After the claims of FUNAM the Municipality of Cordoba established a term for his eradication (2001). Public hearings, cartoons for citizens, pamphlets and press conferences enhanced the process. 1988-1990. Campaign against the distribution of polluted drinking water by EPOS, a governmental company. The president of FUNAM presented several claims at the Court of Justice obtaining partial positive results, among them the monitoring of cyanobacteria toxins and trihalometans. 1992. FUNAM contributed to stop the prospecting of uranium in the Traslasierra Valley (Cordoba). Inhabitants from this valley discovered tracks of the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina working secretly. As a result of public demonstrations and press conferences, prospecting was cancelled. 1992. FUNAM stopped the building of the PIBA, a Cobalt 60 irradiation plant in Cordoba. Such plant was designed by the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina (CNEA) for the treatment of sewage through Cobalt 60 as a Gamma rays source. The Mayor of the City Rubén Martí officially rejected the project. 1992. Jointly with AEDENAT, the president of FUNAM chaired a campaign in Madrid (Spain) to claim against the privatization of Embalse and Atucha I nuclear facilities. At this time the Ministry of Economy from Argentina, Domingo Cavallo, was offering both plants to ENDESA, the Spanish Electricity Company.  1992-1993. Campaign against the building of a radioactive waste dump site in Salinas Grandes. FUNAM and its members discovered top secret missions to identify places for a repository of low level radioactive waste. After a press conference and claims at the Court of Justice the project was cancelled. 1992-1993. Campaign denouncing that Antarctica ozone “hole” was for the first time over cities and villages located in southern Argentina (e.g. Ushuaia) and Chile. The ozone layer depletion was >50%. FUNAM asked the government of Argentina to call for a special meeting at the Security Council, United Nations. 1992-1993. Campaign to stop the building of a low-level radioactive dump site in Salinas Grandes (Cordoba, Argentina). After the release of technical papers through press conferences and public hearings, the project was definitively stopped 1992-1994. Campaign against the illegal hunting and trade of the lizard (Tupinambis  teguixin and T. rufescens). FUNAM members presented two proceedings at the Court of Justice, and asked them to suspend a governmental Resolution which approved their killing without quota. The Court of Justice dismissed both claims. At this time such Court was nearly the government. Top governmental officials owned the most important factory that industrialized the skin of lizards. Besides Court decision, CITES diminishes Argentina’s export quota from three million lizard skins to one million. Currently the control is acceptable and cooperatives for lizards' reproduction are under development. During the campaign illegal hunters menaced both the president of FUNAM and his staff. 1993. FUNAM denounced a secret agreement between the Governments of Argentina and Canada for studying the transfer of a Candu 3 reactor of 450 Mwe to Embalse (Cordoba). After huge press coverage, people and NGOs reacted against this agreement. Such initiative was finally discarded. 1993. Campaign to stop the seizure of living flamingos in Mar Chiquita Natural Park (Phoenicopterus chilensis). After the claim made by FUNAM before the Ministry of Agriculture, the government banned all kind of flamingo's capture. 1993. Campaign to stop the aerial spray of dangerous pesticides in Colonia Tirolesa and other small human settlements. Through press conferences organized with farmers and school children, a strong movement of citizens and media was established. The use of aerial sprays was reduced. 1993-1997. Campaign to prevent forest fires. In 1993 fires destroyed 1,500,000 hectares of natural ecosystems in Argentina. FUNAM released technical information and denounced both official and private responsible. As a result of the campaign important measures were adopted for the first time in Cordoba. Nevertheless the battle is not yet finished. 1994. The president of FUNAM stopped in Guatemala the import of a Candu 3 nuclear power plant of 450 MWe. This technology was offered free by Canadian Ontario Hydro. FUNAM pursued an independent research in Guatemala identifying documents and expected places for the reactor (among them Izabal lake). After FUNAM interviews with top governmental officials, lectures at the University and press conferences the national authority on environment (CONAMA) rejected the offer. 1994. Campaign to stop the deforestation at La Punta Natural Reserve in Santiago del Estero Province. This protected area contains samples of Chaco Biogeographical Province. 1994. Campaign to stop a motorboat race in the San Roque lake. Such lake is affected by acute eutrophication. FUNAM made formal charges before the Ombudsman of the province of Cordoba. The Provincial Water Department (DIPAS) prohibited such competition based on the documents presented by FUNAM. 1994. FUNAM co-organised the second public demonstration in Argentina against nuclear power (July 13rd, 1994). Hydro Canada was offering at this moment a Candu 3. More than 1,500 people -mainly children and teenagers- walked over Cordoba city tfor protesting against a 4th nuclear power plant. 1994. FUNAM co-organized a third antinuclear public demonstration in front of the Embalse nuclear power plant (Calamuchita valley, august 15th, 1994) and a third demonstration over the streets of Cordoba city, october 25th, 1994, both against a 4th reactor in Argentina 1994-1997. FUNAM noticed to the public secret sites for the dump of high level radioactive waste. FUNAM released secret information from the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina that identified 198 sites for HLW repositories. Five of these sites were classified as “highly feasible areas” (Calcatapul and Chasico, La Esperanza and Sierra del Medio, and “Sierras” in Cordoba and Santiago del Estero). For the first time a study of CNEA included possible locations in northern Cordoba and southern Santiago del Estero. Unexpectedly, both provincial governments protested against this possibility. As a result of this campaign and public mobilization the project was freeze.  1995. Campaign against the illegal transfer of 2,100 barrels containing hazardous waste. Such barrels were moved by Atanor, a chemical company located in Rio Tercero City (Argentina).  1995. International campaign to denounce Ontario Hydro lobby with Latin American governments. This canadian governmental company was sailing and offering “free” to several Latin American his Candu 3 reactor of 450 MWe. FUNAM fights against Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien during his visit to Chile and Argentina. The wide media coverage of this campaign contributed to increase public and parliamentarians rejection to Canadian strategy. 1995. Campaign to stop the building of a Cobalt 60 irradiation plant in Pilar (Buenos Aires). FUNAM worked with the local NGO “Ecos de Vida”. Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina (CNEA) planned such plant for the treatment of sewage. After a successful campaign the project was cancelled. 1995. Action against the felling of 15,000 hectares of native forest in Obispo Trejo (Cordoba). 1995. Action against the project of Island Airport promoted by the Federal Government of Argentina. Such airport was planned over the De la Plata River (Buenos Aires). Many organizations from Argentina criticized the project that was finally canceled.    1995-1997. Campaign to stop the shipment of exhausted nuclear fuel, Plutonium 239 and radioactive waste containing Plutonium 239 (Japan-France and France-Japan). (a) FUNAM presented a claim at the Federal Court of Justice against the Argentine Government for not having banned the passage of the ship "Pacific Sandpiper" trough Argentine seas. Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Di Tella and others were denounced. Such claim ameliorated the position of Argentina vis-a-vis Plutonium. An indirect product was the reinforcement of Argentina’s position at the NPT Conference in New York.          (b) The head of the Chilean “Instituto de Ecologia Politica”, Manuel Baquedano, and the president of FUNAM, Raul Montenegro, produced a joint project of regulation for prohibiting the transport of radioactive materials and waste within 200-miles in Argentina and Chile seas. (c) FUNAM took part in the Public Hearing on Plutonium held at the University of  Berkeley (USA). 1995-1996. Campaign to stop the deforestation of 50.000 hectares of native Chaco Forest Ecosystem in Santiago del Estero Province. The foreign company Australian Argentine Agriculture (“AAA”) promoted such project. FUNAM chaired the campaign both in Argentina and United Kingdom. The project was stopped. 1995-1996. Campaign for identifying illegal dumpsites containing chemicals. FUNAM confirmed dangerous and illegal dumpsites in (a) Corralito, (b) Salsipuedes, (c) Almafuerte, (d) Rio Tercero and (e) Salinas Grandes (Cordoba). Claims have been presented at the Court of Justice vis-a-vis each case (Federal and Provincial). The Federal Court of Justice prosecuted several of the responsible. 1995-1997. Campaign against the building of a radioactive waste dump site in Salinas Grandes. FUNAM discovered top secret missions to identify places for a repository of low level radioactive waste. After a press conference and claims at the Court of Justice the project was cancelled. 1995-1998. Campaign against the building of Atanor’s incinerator for chlorine waste, mainly dichlorophenol. Kilograms of dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans could be released to the atmosphere. FUNAM presented a claim at the Court of Justice against governmental officials that approved the project taking in account solely an erroneous environmental assessment made by Atanor’s straw-men. 1995. Campaign against the building of incinerators for hazardous waste in Ines Indart (Buenos Aires) and Salto (Buenos Aires). After FUNAM participation in public hearings and the release of a technical report produced by Raul Montenegro at the University, both projects were stopped. Public demonstrations against the incinerator have been widely covered by media. 1995-1996. FUNAM actively participated in the national campaign against the building of oil pipeline at Las Grutas (Neuquen, Argentina). 1995-2002. FUNAM and Finisterrae Foundation launched a national campaign for protecting Tierra del Fuego “lenga” forests from Bayside-Trillium Corporation activities (1995). Such company was promoting the fell of “lenga” trees. Bayside-Trillium is an USA based corporation.  FUNAM produced a document on the issue that was included in “Biodiversity Flashpoints in the Americas” (Test cases for the Summit Conference on Sustainable Development, Bolivia and USA, NRDF, 1996). 1996. Campaign against the building of an incinerator for hazardous waste in Laguna Paiva (Santa Fe). Mothers and children organized a public demonstration involving more than 10,000 people. Raul Montenegro, president of FUNAM, produced a technical document against the incinerator and leaded public hearings at this town. The project was cancelled. 1996. Campaign against the building of the Parana Medio giant dam. FUNAM presented a successful claim at the National Ombudsman. Citizens, NGOs and fishermen stopped the project.  1996-1999. Campaign to stop the building of the “Federal Waterway” (Canal Federal). FUNAM denounced corruption and lack of environmental impact assessment. Such project attempted to move river waters from three provinces (Tucuman, Santiago del Estero and Catamarca) to private properties of politicians in La Rioja province (>15-20 m3/second). At the beginning of the campaign FUNAM presented a claim to the Federal Ombudsman (Buenos Aires) and a judicial claim against the former Governor Eduardo C. Angeloz. Such official signed the Federal Waterway Agreement infringing the Cordoba’s Provincial Law 7343. The Provincial Attorney Jose M. Perez Villalobos accused him. After detecting new illegal practices FUNAM denounced the Secretary of the Environment Maria Julia Alsogaray to the Federal Court of Justice (Cordoba, Argentina). After a long battle, several demonstrations and a public hearing the project was finally canceled. NGOs from Tucuman and Santiago del Estero, the National University of Cordoba and the Catholic Church contributed to such success.   1996. Campaign to eradicate an illegal dumpsite containing untreated pathological waste in Marcos Juarez (Cordoba). The president of FUNAM and the Mayor of Marcos Juarez City presented a claim at the Court of Justice. The Court identified two main responsible (PELCO, Cineres) and compelled both companies to eradicate all the hazardous waste. 1996. Campaign against the building of an incinerator of hazardous waste in Santa Rosa (Mendoza). This incinerator was built infringing Mendoza’s regulation on Environmental Impact Assessment. After FUNAM claims and a public hearing, held in Santa Rosa village, the Governor ordered the demolition of the plant. 1996. FUNAM co-chaired a campaign against the project of a repository for medium level radioactive waste in the limit of the provinces of Cordoba and Santiago del Estero. Both governments protested against this possibility. 1996. FUNAM denounced the transfer of more than 3,000 barrels containing low level radioactive waste from Cordoba to Mendoza. This denounce had a wide media coverage all over Argentina. Montenegro presented a proceeding at the Federal Court of Justice. 1996-2002. Campaign to stop the use of hazardous waste as “alternative fuel” by Minetti-Holderbank cement factory (formerly “Corcemar”, currently “Minetti” and “Ecoblend”). According FUNAM such burning is polluting the air, the soil and the “clinker”. Raul Montenegro presented a claim against Corcemar for having burned hazardous waste without governmental authorization.This charge was made at the Federal Court of Justice the 30th November 1996. The battle continues.  1996. FUNAM noticed to the public an accident, which took place at Embalse nuclear power plant during December 1995. This was the second largest accident in Embalse’s Candu. After FUNAM’s press conference, a great debate on nuclear safety began. 1996. FUNAM noticed to the public an internal leak of uranium inside CNEA’s Unarium Dioxide Plant in barrio La Fraternidad (Cordoba). This denounce had a wide media coverage all over Argentina and outside. This large leak polluted workers and machinery. CNEA publicly recognized the accident after days of silence. FUNAM presented documents to the Federal Court of Justice. 1996. FUNAM denounced a large leak of Tritium 3 across the circuits of Embalse nuclear power plant. During June-July 1996 a chain of pricking were responsible for two leaks. The first leak affected the Embalse lake, which normally receives the discharges of the cooling system. The second leak polluted an internal circuit of water (showers), affecting a great number of workers. During the press conference top secret information was released. An investigation was launched both at national an local level.  1996-1997. Campaign to save Peninsula de Magallanes ecosystem, threatened by foreign companies and local investors. The battle is not yet finished. 1996-1997. Campaign to denounce the release of 235.000 cubic meters of hazardous waste by COMSUR mining company in Bolivia, whose owner is the Vice-President of Bolivia. According FUNAM’s research, 560 tons of Arsenic and 90 Tons of Lead were released into the Pilcomayo river. FUNAM presented a claim at the Federal Court of Justice against former Secretary of the Environment Maria Julia Alsogaray and chaired several press conferences on the issue. Finally a large research was undertaken.  1996. Campaign against the lay out of high-tension wires through a densely populated city, Ezeiza (132 kV). This community organized large demonstrations against wires. Raul Montenegro produced a technical report that has been used by Ezeiza’s citizens. As a result of the campaign wires lay out was modified.   1996. Campaign to protect the Sarmiento Park from corrupted business between governmental officials and private investment companies (33 hectares). After a study released by FUNAM to the public and a press conference the project was cancelled. As a result of FUNAM’s claims the Governor was accused. Nevertheless Governor’s judgement never took place. 1996-1997. Campaign to stop the deforestation of 40.000 hectares of Chaco Forest Ecosystem in Formosa Province by foreign company LIAG S.A. FUNAM began a lawsuit against the Governor, who authorized the transfer of public lands infringing local regulations. As a result of the campaign, both in Argentina and outside, 18.000 hectares were saved. 1996-1998. FUNAM worked with citizens and farmers from the Punilla valley in Cordoba for stopping the construction of the Cuesta Blanca dam. FUNAM obtained and released top-secret governmental information from its environmental impact assessment (EIA). Such EIA rejected the project. In March 1998 FUNAM leaded a public hearing for organizing a public demonstration against the dam. After a long battle the project was finally canceled. 1997-2002. Campaign against the largest urban deposit of uranium wastes in Argentina. FUNAM discovered and noticed to the public an illegal dumpsite containing uranium mining tales and toxic waste. This dumpsite is located within CNEA’s Uranium Dioxide Plant in barrio La Fraternidad, a densely populated area. Since 1952 more than 36,000 cubic meters of waste have been buried without any kind of authorization. After FUNAM’s national press conference, media from all over Argentina qualified the issue as “environmental scandal”. Raul Montenegro presented a proceeding at the Federal Court of Justice. 1997-1999. Move to stop the transportation of 36,000 cubic meters of uranium low level radioactive waste from the city of Cordoba to the former uranium mining of Los Gigantes. FUNAM supported the opposition of the citizens of Tanti. Such tourist village is located near the closed uranium mining site. Their inhabitants stopped the passage of trucks. FUNAM accompanied their struggle, produced a technical report on the issue and participated in several public hearings. The neighbor’s actions proved quite successful. The transportation was delayed for the time being (1999). 1997. Campaign to denounce the illegal test of the nuclear reactor Carem. Raul Montenegro from FUNAM presented a suit against the President of the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina (CNEA), Gustavo Santos, and the Chairman of INVAP, Hector Otheguy (Federal Court of Justice, 22th December 1997). Both were accused for having illegally tested elements of the CAREM, a nuclear power plant of 25 MWe. Such test took place in Pilcaniyeu near Bariloche city, Rio Negro province (July 1997). Even if a Federal Judge dismissed the case, prior to the suit some governmental officials confirmed the illegality of the test. 1997. Campaign to stop the deforestation of 200.000 hectares of Chaco Forest in Cabure Norte (Santiago del Estero Province). Lands are public. FUNAM produced technical reports, participated in a public hearing and presented the case to the Federal Ombudsman. FUNAM worked with local farmers, NGOs and Caritas. The project was cancelled. 1997-2002. Campaign to eradicate an illegal dumpsite at Argentina village in Santiago del Estero province, which contains 30 tons of chlorine pesticides (mainly Gammexane). FUNAM presented a proposal of solution. In 1998 FUNAM obtained samples at the site. A total of 33 hazardous chemicals were founded. FUNAM presented the case to the Federal Ombudsman. Despite wide press coverage the problem was not yet solved.  1997. Action to stop the building of two incinerators for hazardous waste in Holmberg (Cordoba). 1997. Action to stop the building of two incinerators for hazardous waste in Santa Rosa city and General Pico City, La Pampa province (4th July 1997). FUNAM worked with the local NGO Alihuen.   1997. Move to stop the building of an incinerator of hazardous waste in Pinzon (Buenos Aires province). FUNAM helped the citizens of such city. Raul Montenegro produced a technical report and participated at a public hearing. After a short battle the project was abandoned. 1997. Move against the dangerous transport of explosives. FUNAM requested to the Court of Justice an investigation about the illegal transfer of 12,000 howitzers from San Jose de la Quintana to Serrezuela (Cordoba Province). Such howitzers were the remnants of the explosion suffered by the gunpowder factory in Rio Tercero city (1995). The claim was presented at the Federal Prosecutor #3 (July 8th 1997). 1997. Move against the mail distribution of free samples of pesticides. FUNAM presented a formal claim at the Federal Court of Justice (July 8th 1997). The Federal Attorney #3 prosecuted the private company that distributed such dangerous samples. 1997. Move to change the design of the layout of medium tension wires in Don Bosco (13,2 kV). FUNAM acted as a free technical consultant. The original layout was redesigned. 1998. Campaign against an incinerator for hazardous waste in Santo Tome (Santa Fe province). FUNAM leaded a public hearing in the city, which was widely covered by media March 23rd 1998). The battle is not yet finished.  1998. FUNAM leaded a strong campaign against the building of two incinerators of hazardous waste in the new Children’s Hospital in Cordoba. FUNAM produced a technical report for the citizens who live near the expected location. The incinerators were not given a permit.  1998. FUNAM noticed to the public a serious accident at Atanor’s petrochemical factory in Rio Tercero city. Even if two or more cells exploded releasing toxic gases, the accident remained hidden. 1998. FUNAM chaired a national campaign against the national project of nuclear regulation declaring “on sale” three nuclear power facilities (2 built, 1 under construction). This regulation promoted an unacceptable limit for private responsibility in case of accident (no more than 80 million dollars) and the building of a HLW repository. The privatization process was suspended. 1998. FUNAM, 170 poor families from Resistencia city and independent lawyer leaded a campaign against the layout of high and medium tension wires over houses and schools (Chaco province, Argentina). Such families inhabit Villa Elba, Villa Aillin and Lote 216 quarters. The president of FUNAM produced a technical report describing the hazards of the project (7th March 1998). The lawyer Raul Coronel acted as legal representative of all these families. He presented a Protection Request to the local Court of Justice using the report of FUNAM. As a result of the campaign the original layout was modified. 1998. Move against a private factory for polluting air and soil in the city of Rio Ceballos (Cordoba). Such company (Cellotti Inc.) produced particles and noise affecting the health of local neighbors. The local Municipality ordered its transfer to another site. 1998. Move against the chemical companies “Atanor” and “Petroquimica for not having compensated a family affected by the spilling of their industrial waste (Rio Tercero, Cordoba). After a Judicial process the Court condemned both companies to compensate the family. Even if the court verdict continues to hold firm such family never received the compensation. This move continues.  1998. Move to stop the building of an incinerator of hazardous waste in Potreros del Estado (Cordoba). Such move failed and the oven was built. 1998. Move against the installation of a dairy industry of “high environmental impact” within the city of Alta Gracia (Cordoba). Neighbors, the local NGO “Panavi” and FUNAM joined hands for protesting. The project was finally cancelled. 1998-2002. Move to support people from 5 neighborhoods menaced by the building of a residential complex that destroys the mountain and increase the risk of crumbling. Legal Charges were made against the Director of the Environment Governmental Office (Cordoba province). Such claim was presented at the Provincial Court of Justice, District 2, Shift 1 (October 22th 1998). The beginning of the construction was delayed. 1998. Move to notice the public about a serious explosion of electrolytic cells. Such explosion occurred at the petrochemical company Atanor and was maintained secret (Rio Tercero, Cordoba). FUNAM denounced the accident and its secrecy to the Environment Governmental Office (24th March 1998). Such accident was widely covered by media.     1998. Action to stop the transportation of 120 tones of uranium from the port of Buenos Aires to the city of Cordoba. FUNAM and Greenpeace worked together in the issue. FUNAM obliged the company Dioxitek and the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina for producing an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Charges were made against the provincial Minister of Health and Social Safety (25th September 1998). Such claim was presented at the provincial Court of Justice. In the meantime another Court ordered the release of the shipment (1999). 1998. Action to stop the transportation of 1 ton of 3.6% enriched uranium dioxide from the port of Bahia Blanca to the city of Cordoba. FUNAM and Greenpeace worked together in the issue. The shipment was temporarily detained in Bahia Blanca. Nevertheless a Judge from this city ordered its release. 1999. Campaign against forest fires in Bariloche (Rio Negro province). FUNAM presented a claim at the Court of Justice denouncing Minister Secretary of the Environment Maria Julia Alsogaray. She was accused for not having accomplished her public duties. FUNAM’s campaign contributed to optimize the national fire prevention plan (“Plan Nacional de Manejo del Fuego”). 1999. Action against the King of Sweden for having hunted thousands of native doves in the province of Cordoba (Argentina). His activities were kept secret (February 1999). Foreign hunters hunt the dove Zenaida auriculata without quota. Huge media coverage moved the public opinion against these cruel safaris. 1999-2000. Campaign to stop the transfer of Dioxitek’s uranium dioxide plant from Cordoba city to Despeñaderos (Argentina). FUNAM worked together with citizens, farmers and the local NGO. Hundreds of people walked over Despeñaderos’ streets for protesting. FUNAM leaded a public hearing attended by 600 people and produced a technical report describing the health hazards of the plant. Such document was hugely distributed among citizens, parliamentarians, NGOs and governmental agencies. For the first time in Argentina tenths of rural tractors participated in an environmental blockade. After a long battle the project was finally discarded. 1999. Actions to stop an illegal motorboat competition with “off-shore” crafts in the San Roque lake. Such lake is suffering an acute process of eutrophication. Legal charges were made against those responsible for organizing the competition: the motorboat association (ACAM) and the authorities of the Municipality of Villa Carlos Paz (the Mayor, the director of Tourism and the director of Sports). The claim was presented to the Provincial Attorney at this city (March 23rd, 1999). The Court of Carlos Paz found all them responsible. 1999. Move against the sale of parcels of ground at the residential neighborhood “Costa Verde” for having destroyed a unique environment (Cordoba, Argentina). Such company constructed a private and closed quarter infringing provincial regulations. FUNAM presented a claim at the Court of Justice.   1999. Action against the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina, CNEA, for having infringed the national regulation on hazardous waste at Los Gigantes uranium mining. Such mine was closed in 1989. FUNAM presented a claim at Attorney-General # 3. The Attorney-General Graciela de Filoñuk prosecuted some CNEA’s officials. 1999. Action against the Embalse Nuclear Power Plant for having discharged water vapor followed by a strong explosion. FUNAM asked the government to investigate such discharge. At the same time FUNAM proposed a status of emergency for the Embalse lake whose waters receive radioactive pollutants from the nuclear reactor (mainly Tritium 3). 1999. FUNAM and the Free University of the Environment (ULA) noticed to the public discharges of radioactive Tritium 3 at the lake Embalse, and accused the Nuclear Power Plant of Embalse for such pollution.  1999. Action denouncing criminal soil erosion by a builder company, Caminos de la Sierra. FUNAM presented a claim at the Court of Justice. 1999. Campaign to stop a federal subsidy for the building of a small nuclear reactor prototype. INVAP, a state company, asked such subsidy to the Federal Government. Total amount: 132 million dollars. After a long battle such request was deleted from the Federal Budget. 1999. Action to protect the structure of the Federal Secretary of the Environment. The new elected government decided his dismembering. FUNAM and other NGOs obtained partial results. Unfortunately the National Park Service was transferred to another Ministry.    2000. Action to denounce the leak of ammoniac from Dioxitek’s uranium dioxide plant (Cordoba, Argentina). Such discharge affected people living in the surroundings. Governmental controls over Dioxitek were increased. 2000. Action to notice the public about unusual and massive mortality of fishes in the San Roque lake. Toxins released by bacterial “blooms” were identified as one of the main causes. FUNAM accused the government for not having monitored the lake that suffers “an acute process of cultural eutrophication”.  2000. Action denouncing the lack of water basin monitoring vis-a-vis floods, chemical disasters and nuclear accidents. The huge coverage of FUNAM’s report increased the pressure over the local government. Partial measures were undertaken. 2000. FUNAM asked the government to declare under “environmental emergency” the Dioxitek’s uranium dioxide plant. FUNAM noticed to the public high values of radioactive pollution, mainly by Radon 222. Such data were obtained from a secret report produced by a Spanish university and the government. FUNAM was the first organization that denounced the secret dump of 35,700 tones of uranium radioactive waste in this site (see above). 2000. Campaign to protect an existing regulation in the Municipality of Tanti that forbid the entering of radioactive waste (Cordoba, Argentina). Four local parliamentarians (“Concejales”) intended to delete such regulation. The strong opposition leaded by local citizens and FUNAM stopped their attempt. 2000. Action to stop the illegal dismantling of furnaces containing Uranium. Such furnaces were located in Dioxitek uranium dioxide plant (Cordoba, Argentina). FUNAM presented a claim at the Federal Court of Justice, and asked the Attorney General to stop the dismantling.             2000. Campaign to stop the building of a nuclear power plant in Zimbabwe (Africa). INVAP from Argentina was involved in the offering of a nuclear reactor. FUNAM noticed to the public of Zimbabwe the risks of such reactor and described some irregular operations of INVAP in Argentina. This campaign was widely covered by media from Zimbabwe and South Africa.    2000. Campaign against the raising of Yacyreta’s dam level from 76 to 83 meters. Such campaign is a joint project of several NGOs from Argentina, Paraguay and USA. FUNAM description of social and environmental impacts was published all over Argentina. The government qualified Yacyreta dam as “a monument to corruption”.   2000. Campaign to stop the sending of Eveready’s toxic waste from Jesus Maria in Cordoba to Zarate in Buenos Aires. FUNAM discovered that Eveready was transferring al the batteries contained in his former property. Currently the land is an ownership of Maxxion. The toxic waste was sent to Ailinco Corporation in Buenos Aires infringing provincial and national regulations. Using FUNAM’s denounce a Judge from Buenos Aires stopped the sending and launched a criminal investigation. 2000-2002. Campaign to stop the import of Australian radioactive waste to Argentina. FUNAM discovered such provision in the secret contract signed by ANSTO from Australia and INVAP from Argentina for the building of a nuclear reactor in Lucas Heights (Sydney), and noticed such provision to the public. This import infringe Article 41st of Argentina’s Constitution. FUNAM’s campaign is widely covered by media from Australia and South America. 2000-2001. Campaign to stop the passage of the ship “Pacific Swan” through Cape Horn in Argentina. This vessel contained high level radioactive waste. FUNAM presented two claims in the Court of Justice against the former Chancellor Rodriguez Giavarini, the former Minister Graciela Fernandez Meijide and the former president of the Atomic Energy Agency of Argentina Aldo Ferrer “for not having accomplished the law”. Such passage through Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone is prohibited by Article 41st of the Constitution.  2000-2001. Campaign to stop the use of the pesticide Malathion at the Traslasierra Valley in Cordoba (Argentina). The government contracted young people for being sprayers. FUNAM worked with citizens, farmers, traders and the local NGO Valle Azul. FUNAM produced a technical report whose copies were widely disseminated all over the valley. This long battle was widely covered by media. In 2001 FUNAM and Valle Azul won the action. The Malathion cannot be used in most of the Traslasierra valley. 2001. Action to stop the use of perchloroethylene at the so called “ecological dyer’s shops”. FUNAM noticed to the public the risks of such product and presented a project of regulation at the Municipal Council.   2001-2002. Campaign to stop the signature of the Nuclear Agreement between the governments of Australia and Argentina. Such Agreement establishes the transfer of radioactive waste from Australia to Argentina for processing or reprocessing. The president of FUNAM produced a technical report on the issue. Such document was adopted by a coalition of more than 160 NGOs. The Agreement infringe Article 41st of the Constitution of Argentina.  2001. Campaign to protect children from the magnetic fields of mid tension wires (13,2 kV, 50 Hz). FUNAM supported the legal action of a family whose child suffers leukemia. FUNAM measured magnetic fields and produced a technical report. Such document was presented in the Court of Justice. This testing case was used to promote the establishment of Precautionary Standards and Precautionary Measures (see below).   2001. Action against Cordoba’s Environment Agency for having authorized the illegal passage of the International Rally over La Quebrada Natural Reserve. Such claim was presented at the Provincial Court of Justice. After this presentation the illegal prime was deleted for future competitions. 2001. Campaign to stop the pollution produced by Corn International (Fabrica de Maiz S.A.) over “La Construccion” quarter in Chacabuco city (Buenos Aires, Argentina). FUNAM is supporting the struggle of 500 people currently affected by the factory. Most of them suffer diseases. FUNAM worked with the community and denounced illegal practices from the company and the Mayor of the city.    2001. Action against the government of Cordoba for having dismantled two traditional groups of volunteers: the “Fauna Keepers” and the “Environment Defense Brigade”. Both groups worked free during years.   2001. Campaign to stop the extensions of two Municipal limits in the villages of Fuerte Esperanza and Comandancia Frias (Chaco province, Argentina). Such extensions were an excuse for exploiting natural forests. Indigenous people and “criollos” groups inhabit the affected areas. FUNAM worked together with indigenous organizations and local NGOs. FUNAM qualified such procedures as “corrupt”. 2001-2002. Campaign to stop the construction of expensive and non-sustainable buildings at the Campus of the National University of Cordoba. Such buildings were designed and built by Architect Miguel Angel Roca. FUNAM organized several demonstrations in the Campus and showed through media the real cost of all buildings and monuments. FUNAM denounced Roca’s administrative irregularities to the Federal Ombudsman. Finally, Architect Miguel Angel Roca was moved from his post at the Planning Office. 2001. Action to preserve the Suquia Ecological Reserve in Cordoba (Argentina). The Governor Jose Manuel de la Sota moved his status from “reserve” to “green area”. The price of each hectare is very high. Under this new status the government can construct a green for golf. FUNAM reacted with demonstrations and public statements widely distributed by media. FUNAM president was menaced of death. A claim was presented at the Police Department.  2001. Alert on the risks of nuclear terrorism in Argentina. FUNAM alerted the government that the deposits of high level radioactive waste in Embalse and Atucha I nuclear power plants are exposed to terrorist attacks. Raul Montenegro published an article on terrorism and dangerous negotiations chaired by former president Carlos Menem. Such article was reprinted in many media. 2001. Action against the Municipality of Cordoba for having discharged highly polluted waters in the Suquia River. Waters from sewage treatment were discharged without chlorine. The huge media coverage obliged the Municipal government to reestablish a final treatment process. 2001. Action against the Municipality of Unquillo for having dumped toxic waste into a Municipal landfill. This barrels contained butyric acid and other hazardous substances. The dumping was stopped. 2001. FUNAM and Valle Azul worked together for protecting Quebrada del Condorito National Park from illegal motor races. FUNAM and Valle Azul presented a claim at the National Park Administration. Such office confirmed the ban. The race was cancelled. 2001. Action to stop the “safaris” of foreign hunters in Northern Cordoba. During such “safaris” each hunter has unrestricted shoots. Most of them kill thousands of native doves per day (Zenaida auriculata). This and previous actions (see above) is compelig th government to revisit existing regulations. 2001. Legal action to protect the colonial Jesuitic heritage of Cordoba. FUNAM presented a claim at the Court of Justice against the well-known Architect Miguel Angel Roca for having demolished an historic site at the National University of Cordoba. Such demolition infringed national regulations. 2001. Action in France to stop the future sends of Australian nuclear waste to Argentina. Two protests were organized, one of them in front of the Eiffel Tour in Paris.  Such entering of radioactive waste is forbidden by the Constitution of Argentina. Both demonstrations have been widely covered by media from Australia and Argentina. 2001. Move against the Environment Agency of Cordoba for not having controlled discharges of dioxins and furans among incineration plants. Such case was presented at the Anti Corruption Office. The presentation of FUNAM involves three plants: CIVA in Villa Allende, Atanor in Rio Tercero and Minetti-Holderbank in Malagueño. 2001-2002. Action to promote the control of chlorine in public and private swimming pools. FUNAM presented a project of regulation to the Municipal Council (Concejo Deliberante).  3. Legal actions against responsible for environmental damage and corruption. This is one of our most active working fields. Through claims at the Court of Justice FUNAM is promoting, indirectly, the improvement of public health and environmental management. The details of such claims are listed within “Advocacy, Main achievements”. Between August 1982 and March 2002 FUNAM presented 40 claims to Federal and Provincial Courts of Justice. 4. Technical and professional advise for people, NGOs and International organizations. FUNAM has been developing independent and innovative approaches on environmental issues. A huge scope of professional members and several agreements with Universities facilitate such work. Among the issues we focus are ecology, population ecology, biodiversity, environmental management, environmental monitoring, natural protected areas, natural and cultural heritage, environment and health, children’s environmental health, environmental impact assessment, nuclear; chemical pollution, biological pollution (e.g. GMO), non-ionizing pollution, ionizing pollution, hazardous waste, hazardous technologies, appropriate technologies and so on. The format we use is written reports. Most of them were used as background papers in successful popular movements Besides our written material we also advise people, NGOs and international organizations through workshops, courses, conferences, meetings and public hearings. Our documentaries are also used.  Main achievements. 1989. “Proposals for an Environmental Recovery of the San Roque Lake Basin” (with 30 chapters and 132 proposals). Cordoba (Argentina). Coordinated by Raul Montenegro. 1989. “Environmental Proposals for All Political Parties” (with 30 chapters and 144 proposals). Cordoba (Argentina). Such document was prepared for raising awareness about environmental problems and solutions among candidates to the Argentine presidency. Coordinated by Raul Montenegro. 1989. “Proposals for a Sustainable Energy Program” (with 10 chapters and 109 proposals). Cordoba (Argentina). Coordinated by Raul Montenegro. 1989. FUNAM promoted the creation of the First Team of Fauna Keepers at the Municipality of La Granja (Cordoba, Argentina). Its training courses were organized by FUNAM. 1992-1997. As member of the Steering Committee of EarthAction Network the president of FUNAM contributed to launch "Alerts" on environment, peace and development for influencing international negotiations and local governments. Such  "Alerts" are distributed all over the world in French, English and Spanish. Main issues: Ruanda Civil War, Non Proliferation Treaty, Climate Change, Sea Pollution, Landmines, Deforestation, Indigenous lands in Brazil, Chinese and French Nuclear testing etc.  1995-1998. “Report on the Environmental Impact of Electromagnetic Fields. 132 kV and 13,2 kV” (Cordoba, Argentina). Such document was reviewed in 1997 and 1998. Written by Raul Montenegro. The neighbors of Ezeiza and Don Bosco in Buenos Aires, and Resistencia in Chaco used this report. 1996. FUNAM produced the “Citizens Alert and Emergency Plan for Rio Tercero” (PAE RIO III). In this city a gunpowder factory suffered a tragic explosion in 1995. During this casualty 8 people died and 10.000 abandoned temporarily the city. FUNAM’s plan was given to the community as a free contribution. Schools, citizens and some public offices adopted the document. For the first time Rio Tercero had a plan for facing chemical accidents. Coordinated by Raul Montenegro. 1996. “Report on the Environmental Impact of Incineration Plants. Dibenzodioxins and Dibenzofurans from the Burning of Chlorine Compounds” (Cordoba, Argentina). Written by Raul Montenegro. The neighbors of Laguna Paiva (Santa Fe), Santa Rosa (Mendoza), Santa Rosa (La Pampa) and many other cities used such report.  1997.  FUNAM organized the “First Regional Census on Coastal Pollution”. Seventy volunteers developed such census in the northeastern Atlantic coast of the province of Buenos Aires (Mar del Plata, Argentina). His headquarters was located in Mar del Plata City. Several polluted animals were treated. FUNAM worked with local NGOs. 1997. “Report on the Environmental Impact of Radioactive Low Level Waste at the Uranium Mining of Los Gigantes” (Cordoba, Argentina). Written by Raul Montenegro. Neighbors of Tanti (1997) used this report 1997-1999. “Report on the Environmental Impact of the Uranium Dioxide Plant of La Fraternidad in Cordoba City” (Cordoba, Argentina). This document was reviewed in 1999. Written by Raul Montenegro. His first version was used by neighbors of La Fraternidad quarter (1997) and his second version by inhabitants of Despeñaderos city (1999). 2001. “Report on Health and Environmental Impacts Produced by Malathion” (Cordoba, Argentina). Written by Raul Montenegro and staff. Citizens, farmers and institutions of the Traslasierra Valley in Cordoba used this report. Such campaign was successful. 2001. “Monitoring of magnetic fields in a house exposed to medium tension wires (EMFs, 50 Hz)”. Barrio Escobar (Cordoba, Argentina). Written by Raul Montenegro. A family whose child suffers leukemia used this report. They presented a request of Legal Protection at the Court.  2001. “Campaign Against the Import of Australian Nuclear Waste. Technical Report” (Cordoba, Argentina). Written by Raul Montenegro. More than 160 NGOs adopted such report as the Campaign’s official document.  5. Research. Jointly with Universities and Centers of Research FUNAM display different projects of scientific research. Their main fields include theoretical ecology, population ecology, environmental management, human behavior, health and environment, modeling of cancer prevention, epidemiological studies, precautionary standards, precautionary measures and many other issues. Main achievements. 1982-1987. Research on urban ecology and ecosystem classification (Partner: National University of Cordoba). 1992. FUNAM participated at the “International Congress of Youth Scientist” held in Puerto Rico. Duringthis meeting FUNAM launched his “Code  of Conduct for Researchers and Centers of Scientific Research”. 1992. FUNAM co-organized the “International Conference on Victims of Radiation” in Berlin (Germany). FUNAM presented a model of radioactive risks (Partners: many institutions from all over the world). 1994-2002. Research on new methods and mathematical formulae for measuring environmental impacts (Partners: National University of Cordoba; National University of San Luis). 1997. Research on models for cancer prevention. Such model is non-mathematical. 2001-2002. Research on “Precautionary Standards” and “Precautionary measures” for protecting children health from environmental hazards (Partners: National University of Cordoba). 2001. FUNAM participated at the “International Conference on Children’s Environmental Health”. Such meeting was held at Georgetown University (Washington, USA). 6. Environment law. FUNAM is a leading organization in the issue. Since its creation in 1982 FUNAM produced tenths of projects, most of them currently in force. Such approved regulations are local, provincial and even federal. Some of the contributions we produced, like the Project of Environmental Regulation of 1984, introduced unprecedented innovations within the law apparatus of Argentina (PER). The PER was adopted by the Parliament of Cordoba and entered in force as Law 7343 in 1985. Most of Argentina’s current legislation on environment is based on this law.      FUNAM also contribute to the discussion and improvement of international conventions and its local compliance. FUNAM acts as a permanent watchdog of CITES, Biodiversity Convention, Climate Change Convention and many other international agreements. Main achievements. 1979-1997. FUNAM contributed to the writing of the "Environment Protection Code" of the Municipality of Tigre (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Coordination: Raul Montenegro. 1979-1997. FUNAM contributed to the writing of several Municipal Regulations on environmental management such as "Regulation to prevent environment pollution" . The Municipalities of Rio Tercero and Alta Gracia passed such regulations. 1985. Under the direction of Raul Montenegro FUNAM produced the environmental bill of the province of Cordoba. Such regulation entered in force in 1985 as Law 7343. This was the first provincial regulation establishing the compulsory environmental impact assessment (EIA). The Law 7343 also created the Environmental Council and the group of volunteers “Defenders of the Environment”. 1992. For reinforcing the antinuclear move from neighbors from the Traslasierra Valley, Raul Montenegro wrote a project of municipal regulation declaring “Municipal nuclear-free zones” (eleven articles). Surprisingly, 12 Municipalities adopted this regulation in 1992, and are now in force. Since then several Municipalities developed the same strategy. 1992-1993. For reinforcing the campaign against the repository of low level radioactive waste in Salinas Grandes, the president of FUNAM wrote a project of regulation to ban the building of radioactive dumpsites. The project was introduced in the Parliaments of three provinces (La Rioja, Catamarca and Cordoba). Using this project the Santiago del Estero Municipality declared “nuclear-free” its boundary. 1997. The head of the Chilean “Instituto de Ecologia Politica”, Manuel Baquedano, and the president of FUNAM, Raul Montenegro, produced a joint project of regulation for prohibiting the transport of radioactive materials and waste within 200-miles in Argentina and Chile seas. 1998. FUNAM introduced changes into the Nuclear National Regulation 24.804/1997. 2000. Campaign to promote municipal regulations that establish compulsory declarations of Genetically Modified Organisms in all food products (GMOs). In August 2000 FUNAM was invited to lead in Capilla del Monte the first popular hearing devoted to GMOs’ risks and legislation. Such hearing was a milestone in Argentina. 2001. Campaign for the establishment of regulations vis-a-vis antennae of cellular phones and PCSs. FUNAM presented his projects of regulation at the first public hearing organized by the Provincial Ombudsman (Cordoba, Argentina). FUNAM promoted the creation of the “Citizen´s Group of People Affected by Antennae of cellular phones and PCS”. Such groups are actively working. 7. Environmental education. FUNAM was a pioneer in using the mass media for environmental education. We produce material for radio, TV, graphic media and Internet. Some of our publications have been widely distributed among schools, like the handbook “Kids protecting the environment”. Nevertheless our most innovative approach combine every output of FUNAM for producing an open educative tool. Such tool includes moves, campaigns, TV documentaries, Web site, radio programs, leaflets, posters, interviews, press releases and booklets.  Main achievements. 1983-1988. During 5 years FUNAM published two ecological tabloid pages at "La Voz del  Interior" newspaper, one of the most important of Argentina. Such newspaper reached several provinces every Sunday. The newspaper had 130,000 issues daily and reach 560,000 readers. This hard work contributed to increase public awareness on environmental issues. Thousands of schools used this printed material. Raul Montenegro wrote such pages. 1987-1992. FUNAM chaired short programs on ecology for children within two TV programs. Such programs were "Los chicos del l0" and "El mundo de los dibus" emited by Channel 10, Television of the National University of Cordoba (Argentina).  1985-1990. FUNAM organized “Children´s Campaign for Peace and Life” those worked with more than 350,000 children in central Argentina. Such decentralized campaign was successfully developed both inside and outside schools. Raul Montenegro created the "Club of the Little Defenders of the Environment”, chaired its training courses and published "Kids defending the environment” booklet which was distributed free in schools. 1990-1993. FUNAM, Norwegian Campaign for Environment and Development and UNICEF organized “Voice of the Children International Campaign” (VOC). Such successful campaign worked with 600,000 children in 43 countries. VOC organized an international  “Children’s Hearing” at the Earth Summit in Rio. Such Hearing was one of the most emotive and successful events held in Flamengo Park (Global Forum, Rio de Janeiro, 1992). Its “Children´s Appeal to World Leaders” was translated into English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. A version for TV has been made by Television Trust for the Environment and BBC. 1994. FUNAM participated at the “Workshop on Environmental Education” (Buenos Aires, Argentina). IUCN General Assembly. Guest speaker: Raul Montenegro. 1996. FUNAM organized the “Course on environmental education”. Such course was held in Guatemala City (Guatemala, Central America). Professor: Raul Montenegro. 1997. FUNAM participated at the UNESCO International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA V), Workshop on NGOs and Adult Education (Hamburg, Germany). 1996-2001. Since 1998 FUNAM supports the making and production of TV documentaries. A total of 42 have been done in two series, “Solo Medio Ambiente” with 6 issues and “Planetamigo” with 36. Local and international TV stations in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Paraguay emit such documentaries of 30 minutes each. Quality Channel, a National Geographic branch, included such programs in their “Educable” edition. “Planetamigo”, the more recent series of documentaries, received the “FundTV Award” (2000) and the “Santa Clara Award” (2001), two of the most recognized awards for television in Argentina. Project director and speaker: Raul Montenegro. Collection of documentaries "One only environment" (Free University of the Environment and FUNAM). All these documentaries have been recorded with Beta and Digital cameras and edited in Avid Computer. Titles. (1) "Our ecosystems". (2) "Our garbage". (3) "Hazardous products and waste". (4) "Air pollution". (5) "Water and river basins". (6) "Our soils". Copies are available free for NGOs and schools. Collection of documentaries "Planetamigo" (Free University of the Environment and FUNAM). All these documentaries have been recorded with Beta and Digital cameras and edited in Avid Computer. Main titles. (1) “Medicinal plants”. (2) “The ecosystems of Pampa de Achala and Sierra Grandes”. (3) “Wild forests of Argentina”. (4) “Misiones rain forest”. (5) “The Comechingones indigenous group”. (6) “Botanical gardens”. (7) “Fires”. (8) “How to prevent Dengue’s disease”. (9) “Wildlife of Argentina: trade and extinctions”. (10) “Eutrophication and health”. (11) “Tobacco and diseases”. (12) “Venomous snakes of Cordoba”. (13) “Mana, Serrat and the environment”. (14) “The Mar Chiquita ecosystem in Cordoba”. (15) “How to prevent floods”. (16) “Mining hazards”. (17) “Pets and the environment”. (18) “Ischilin Nuevo, a sustainable old village”. (19) “Those who leave us: wildlife of the Quaternary”. (20) “How to use satellite information”. (21) “Free University of the Environment”. (22) “How to prevent Chagas-Mazza disease”. (23) “The natural protected area of Chancani in Cordoba”. (24) “The work of Sister Theresa: helping poor children”. (25) “Clean sources of energy”. (26) “Lombriculture”. (27) ”Air pollution in Cordoba”. (28) “Children of the streets: the work of ‘La Luciernaga’ in Cordoba city”. (29) “Recycling batteries?”. (30) “Noise and health”.  (31) “How to preserve mountain ecosystems”. Copies are available free for NGOs and schools. 1997-1999. FUNAM was member of the Working Group “Media, Environment and Citizens Program” (Copenhagen, Denmark). Involved organizations: INFORSE (Copenhagen), FUNAM (Argentina) and UNESCO (Germany). 1997. Campaign to prevent the harmful effects of “El Niño” southern oscillation (ENOA), mainly in cities and villages with high risk of floods and landslides.  1998. FUNAM co-organized the “International Workshop on Media, Environment and Citizens” devoted to TV documentaries. The workshop was held at the European Film College in Ebeltoft (Denmark). Organizers: INFORSE (Copenhagen), European Film College (Copenhagen), FUNAM (Argentina) and UNESCO (Germany). Professor: Raul Montenegro. 1999-2002. FUNAM participated in the design and development of the Master on Environmental Management at the National University of San Luis. Such career is dictated in the Faculty of Engineering ad Social and Economical Sciences (FICES). The first period was in 1998-2000 and the second still continue (2000-2002). Until December 2001 a total of 47 Specialist on Environmental Management received their Diploma. 1999. FUNAM supported the Free University of the Environment, ULA (Cordoba, Argentina). The head of FUNAM, Raul Montenegro acted as his first president. Among the main achievements of Montenegro’s administration were: (1) Two courses for unemployed people on “Gardeners” and “Assistants for Plant Nurseries”. Both courses were free and received more than 600 participants. Even illiterate people assisted to such courses. (2) Design, building and operation of the “ULA-movil”, a school on wheels for children. This “Eco-Bus” developed educational activities in the poorest areas of Cordoba. Its main activities were focused on diseases’ prevention and environment. This was the first bus of this kind that operated in Cordoba (Argentina). (3) Production and transmission by air TV and cable TV of 42 TV documentaries. Some of them received 3 national awards (see above). (4) Publishing of the book “Ecosystems of Cordoba”. This book was delivered free in partial chapters through “La Voz del Interior” newspaper (two chapters each week during 7 weeks). Such book reached more than 90,000 homes in central Argentina.  (5) During its presidency the premises of the Free University of the Environment were transformed into sustainable premises. A new sewage treatment plant using phyto terrestrial filters was added to windmill electricity; water saving technologies and internal recycling. 2000. FUNAM contributed to develop a technical career on environmental management at the National University of San Luis (Argentina). The name of the career is “Technician on Environmental Management”. 8. Sustainable development. FUNAM develops programs and projects for improving sustainable development. Most of our written proposals have been widely used both in Argentina and outside. We also perform concrete works, like the creation of new parks and reserves. Among our technical outputs we produce “Plans” of emergency for those communities exposed to chemical and nuclear accidents. Main achievements. 1986. FUNAM participated in the creation of the Suquia’s Ecological Reserve. Such reserve is innovative for being located within a city (66 hectares). 1989. Campaign to achieve a rational use of energy. FUNAM produced a “Sustainable Energy Plan” including 109 concrete proposals. Such plan was delivered to the public and the government. 1990. FUNAM promoted the creation of the “Vaquerias Ecological Reserve” in the Punilla valley (Cordoba). FUNAM produced the study and the project. The National University of Cordoba currently manages such reserve. 1991-1992. Joint campaign against poverty and environmental diseases. Jointly with his staff he helped poor populations to build both sewerage and safe drinking water systems. Through this program and “Solidarity Funds” FUNAM reduced cholera disease risk in small communities in Cordoba, Salta and Buenos Aires. Jointly with Architect Julio Avila he supported waste recycling activities among poor people in Villa Maria city and contributed to the building of small biogas plants in children’s schools (Cordoba). 1993. Campaign to create the Municipal Reserve of Quimbaletes in Villa Giardino (Cordoba). Based on the project of creation written by Raul Montenegro (1993) the Municipality of Villa Giardino created finally the Reserve in 1994. 1994. Campaign to promote the creation of “Quebrada del Condorito” National Park and “Pampa de Achala” Provincial Reserve (Cordoba, Argentina). Such areas include ecosystems of Chaco Serrano forests, brush and grasslands. FUNAM published a poster on the “Quebrada del Condorito” Park that contributed to the success of the campaign. Both national and provincial protected areas were finally created. 1996-1997. Campaign to promote the conservation of larger surfaces of natural ecosystems (core and border area) applying the Wilson, Mac Arthur and Simberloff principle of island biogeography. FUNAM widely used this and other ecological principles, like carrying capacity (“K”), to save ecosystems from destruction. E.g. Campaign against Trillium-Bayside project of logging in Tierra del Fuego cold forests (Subantarctic Biogeographic Province). Campaign against logging of 3.000 hectares in Salta forests (Yungas Biogeographic Province). 2000. FUNAM promoted the building of domestic rain collectors for reducing the use of chlorinated water (“aljibes” in Spanish). Such “aljibes” were common in several cities before 1950. 2000. Campaign to promote innovative systems of protected areas.  Montenegro developed standard agreements to be signed and accomplished by private owners of small properties containing fragments of natural ecosystems. No great investment is needed. These “conservation cooperatives” are similar to those created for soil protection. The pilot area is located in Merlo, San Luis province (Chaco Biogeographical Province). 9. Media and communication. Media is the main bridge we have for contacting people and institutions. FUNAM organize an average of 2-3 press conferences per month. Such conferences are widely covered. Our most recent campaign for stopping the export of Australian nuclear waste to Argentina had a terrific coverage both in Australia and Europe. FUNAM also works producing TV documentaries. Several TV stations emit such documentaries all over Argentina. Since 1999 FUNAM has its own Web site both in Spanish and English. This site is permanently updated. According our records www.funam.org.ar is intensely used within Argentina and abroad.   Main achievements. 1996-2002. FUNAM is emitting the TV documentaries “Planetamigo” through Channel 10 (National University of Cordoba). Such Channel covers central Argentina. Copies of the documentaries are emitted in air and cable TV all over Argentina. 1999-2002. In June 1999 FUNAM launched his Web site, www.funam.org.ar. Such site is widely used by citizens, schools, universities, NGOs, governments and media. His permanently actualized link “News’ Desk” provide local, national and international information from various sources. “Nacion”, one of the most important national newspapers of Argentina, classed FUNAM’s site as “one of the best in environmental issues”. Through FUNAM’s site both citizens and grassroots organizations can denounce environmental hazards and cases of environmental corruption. Other links includes public campaigns and forms for proposing environmental solutions. His “Open EcoUniversity” teach about sustainable lifestyles and technologies. 2002. FUNAM has a short TV program on environmental advocacy within one of the most viewed news’ program of Central Argentina (Channel 8, Cordoba, Argentina). Such program is emitted twice daily. Through this program FUNAM president, Raul Montenegro, acts as a public Ombudsman.    10. Movement of NGOs and networking. FUNAM enhance the NGO movement worldwide. Since its creation FUNAM promote the development of grassroots organizations, NGOs, coalitions and networks. FUNAM was