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- The three-day meeting brought representatives from the public, private, academic and social sectors to the region to discuss development, social cohesion and sustainability.
For the first time, the National Meeting of Social Connection (Encuentro Nacional de Vinculación Social, ENVIS) moved its conversation to the north of the country, bringing over 1,500 people from every region of Chile to the city of Antofagasta to discuss development, social cohesion and sustainability from the territories.
Organized by Balloon Latam and Corporación 3xi, and with the active support of SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition and public and private organizations, the initiative aimed to build trust, promote long-term agreements and strengthen territorial governance by offering stakeholders who have traditionally been distant from one another, or “unlikely peers,” a space in which to come together.
The program began with the seminar “Voices for Development,” where representatives from the mining industry, regional officials, academics and members of civil society addressed structural questions about the direction of development, the construction of roots and the meaning of well-being in productive territories.
In this context, Gina Ocqueteau, Chair of SQM’s Board of Directors, highlighted the importance of strengthening real connections between the country’s different stakeholders: “It is very necessary to meet, get to know each other, link up and have a powerful network that allows us to work on concrete projects that make sense to people. Our goal during this event is to show the ways in which we are part of a social fabric, understanding that each strand matters and that we all fit into this great endeavor that is to build a Chile with more solidarity.”
The meeting also included a day of reflection, promoting open dialogue between people from different sectors, backgrounds and perspectives, as well as field activities aimed at strengthening community ties.
For Antofagasta Region Governor Ricardo Díaz, this type of event is key to regional development: “We believe in dialogue, and in that sense ENVIS is a very good opportunity to bring together industry, communities, Indigenous peoples and academia, creating opportunities to come together to build better development and a better future.”
For his part, Sebastián Salinas, executive director of Balloon Latam, noted the high attendance and diversity of perspectives included at the meeting: “These are different voices talking about development. This large gathering shows that there is a willingness to come to the table, to cross borders and to meet with those who think differently.”
Community members praised the experience as a concrete opportunity for learning and connection. Toconao resident Margarita Chocobar noted that “it is very valuable to participate and learn how other Chilean communities are working on social issues.” Blanca Martínez, a participant from Vichuquén, stressed the importance of the community-business connection: “Holding this meeting between the community and the company is a tremendous step forward because it allows us to build networks, make contacts and increase the visibility of the needs of each territory.”
All of these elements made ENVIS 2026 a key space for coming together and reflection.
