Social and Cultural Empowerment
Programme
for Indigenous Communities in the Amazon region of Ecuador (1997-)
Ecuador is a democratic republic situated on the western coast of South America. With a population of almost 12 million persons, it has a large indigenous population and quechua is the second most common language after Spanish. This project is carried out among the indigenous communities of Shuar and Achuar that by the border of Peru in the Alto Marañón. A process of colonization, by settlers from other regions of Ecuador, has had several effects on this area, where the high level of deforestation acts as a threat to the survival of the indigenous communities and the creation of a social group that has interests contrary to those of the indigenous communities. Added to this, the Achuar and Shuar communities have since 1995 been directly affected by the armed conflict between Ecuador and Peru. The destructive ecological impact as a direct result of the war, has compromised the traditional hunting areas and has contaminated water, threatening the livelihood of the indigenous communities of the Alto Marañón.
The aim of this project is to promote the social and cultural empowerment of the Achuar and Shuar through the following activities: training in human rights and protection of the environment, development of a coherent cultural and ecological sustainable development policy and the establishment of the Amazon Radio for Peace.
The implementing partner ALDHU prioritises human rights and ecology within development. The project is funded by DANIDA and UNESCO provides the intellectual and technical assistance required.
- 6O leaders participate in the Indigenous Leaders Training Programme on socio-cultural issues, human rights and environmental issues with a view to improve the inter-ethnic relationships in the Alto Marañón, to strengthen the negotiation skills and the ability of the leaders to observe human rights, as well as to formulate and implement micro-projects.
- 40 women participate in the Indigenous Leaders Training Programme for Women which is carried out locally. Topics relate to human rights relevant to their daily life, women's participation in community life and the creation of micro-projects on traditional medicine and artisan handicrafts.
- The training programme on Strengthening Communication Media is aimed the establishment of the Amazon Radio Station for Peace in the Achuar-Shuar region. An indigenous team is technically trained in radio equipment management as well as in the production and transmission of bilingual radio programmes.
Expected ImpactsIt is expected that the project will facilitate the empowerment of the Shuar and Achuar communities,to strengthen their organization, to revitalize their culture and to defend their territory. The Amazon Radio for Peace should improve the level of literacy, facilitate an exchange of information and the integration of the indigenous populations in the Alto Marañón.
ExperienceThis project is carried in an isolated area of Ecuador, where there are few basic communication services, poor infrastructure and few ways of access. Added to this, the beneficiaries are highly dispersed in the Alto Marañón making it difficult for them to participate in project activities, thus contributing to the prolongation of the project.
The project originally consisted of two main activities: an Indigenous Leadership Training Programme and a Strengthening Communication Media and Training Programme. However, the Indigenous Leadership Training Programme has been divided into two training programmes, the beneficiaries of one being only women. This was done due to the fact that the participants clearly identified the need for a women's only programme so as to facilitate the participation of women.
Differences in the participants educational level, training and experience coupled with certain unwillingness to support new forms of leadership has been an issue of conflict between the Shuar and Achuar.
Despite a clear co-ordination policy and direct relations with the indigenous federations, there has - until now - been very little official assistance given to the indigenous populations. This aspect should thus be taken into consideration in the continued implementation of the project.
This page was modified on 22/03/00