The RAINFOREST
Strengthening the Policy
Work of Central African Organisations Working with Displaced Forest Peoples
Funder: The Baring Foundation
Date: October 2003 - September 2006
Countries: Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo
Background
Many of the
original ‘hunter-gatherer’ peoples of the Central African region, including the
Baka, Ba’Aka, bagyeli and Batwa (all of which are often collectively referred
to as “Pygmies”) can be considered to be ‘displaced’. ‘Resettlement’ of Pygmies
into permanent settlements was initiated in much of the region during the
colonial era, and post-colonial governments have continued this policy. Not
only has this weakened the link between ‘Pygmies’ and the forest resources upon
which they depend physically and culturally, but has almost invariably left
them with no land tenure or basic civil rights. As a result, the various
‘Pygmy’ people throughout the region continue to be victims of, and displaced
by, various (and often multiple), political and environmental changes and
conflicts.
Aims & Objectives
The overall aim of
the project is to ensure that the rights of forest people in Central Africa to
the ownership, access and control of forest lands are recognised and respected
and those forest people have access to the training and resources required to
manage those forests sustainably in their own long term interests.
Specifically, the
project will increase the capacity of NGOs, community-based organisations,
indigenous groups and associations in Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic
Republic of Congo, and the Rainforest Foundation itself, to address the
problems of land tenure and the civil rights of displaced forest people through
policy dialogue and advocacy
Partners
• The Centre for Environment and Development
(CED), Yaounde, Cameroon
• Observatoire Congolaise des
droits de l’homme (OCDI—l), Brazzaville, Congo
• Centre National d’Appui au
Développement et a Ia Participation Populaire (CENADEP), Kinshasa, Democratic
Republic of Congo.