2009年-世界发展银行全球_Democratic_Republic_of_Congo_-_Strategic_Framework_for_the_Preparation_of_a_Pygmy_Development_Program_116页_5mb

Summary of the Democratic Republic of Congo Strategic Framework for the Preparation of a Pygmy Development Program

Core Content

This document outlines a strategic framework for the development of Pygmy communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is a comprehensive study aimed at identifying the causes of the Pygmies' impoverishment and marginalization, and proposes a 15-year development program to improve their living conditions while preserving their cultural identity. The report is based on fieldwork and participatory consultations involving Pygmy representatives, NGOs, and government officials.

Main Points and Key Information

1. Background of Pygmies in DRC

• Pygmies are considered the most ancient population of the Congo River Basin, with a history dating back to 3000 BC.
• They traditionally lived as hunter-gatherers in small, egalitarian communities.
• Over time, Bantu and other populations have encroached on their ancestral lands, leading to a shift in lifestyle and increased dependency on agriculture and Bantu communities.
• Most Pygmies are now sedentary or semi-sedentary, with only a small percentage still maintaining a nomadic lifestyle.

2. Current Situation of Pygmies

• Pygmies are among the poorest and most marginalized groups in DRC.
• They face significant challenges in accessing basic rights, including citizenship, education, healthcare, and legal representation.
• Socioeconomic indicators for Pygmy communities are much worse than for Bantu neighbors.
• Cultural identity and traditional knowledge are under threat due to forced assimilation, discrimination, and loss of traditional practices.

3. Methodology

• The study was based on a national consultation workshop in June 2008 and a validation workshop in June 2009.
• Fieldwork was conducted by NGOs in the Dynamique Peuples Autochtones network, involving both individual consultations and focus groups.
• The findings were analyzed to form the basis of the strategic framework.

4. Rationale for a Pygmy Development Program

• The program aims to support the Pygmies' right to choose their lifestyle, protect their cultural heritage, and improve their socio-economic conditions.
• It aligns with the World Bank's mission to reduce poverty and its operational policies on indigenous peoples.
• It is also in line with international efforts to protect indigenous cultures and promote sustainable development.

5. Strategic Framework

The strategic framework outlines six priority focal points for the development program:

• Focal Point 1: Capacity Building

  • Establish institutions and leaders to defend Pygmy rights and improve living conditions.

• Focal Point 2: Valorization and Preservation of Pygmy Culture

  • Promote appreciation of Pygmy culture and identity, especially their traditional nomadic lifestyle.

• Focal Point 3: Link Pygmy Development with Bantu Communities

  • Encourage cooperation and mutual benefit between Pygmies and Bantu communities.

• Focal Point 4: Improve Living Conditions

  • Focus on health, education, and economic development through targeted interventions.

• Focal Point 5: Promote Dialogue on Pygmy Rights

  • Advocate for legal recognition of Pygmy rights and the adoption of a Pygmy Act.

• Focal Point 6: Prepare a Pygmy Census

  • Conduct a census to better understand the population, distribution, and socio-economic status of Pygmies.

6. Implementation Plan

• The development program should be nationally owned and involve consultations with all stakeholders.
• It should be implemented through institutional arrangements, including the creation of an Interministerial Committee for Strategy Coordination and Supervision (ICOCS), led by the Ministry of Environment.
• A Permanent Technical Secretariat would support the program's daily operations and monitoring.

7. Phased Implementation (15-Year Program)

The program is structured into three phases:

• Founding Phase (Years 1–5):

  • Establish institutions and legal frameworks.
  • Conduct capacity building and community consultations.
  • Implement a Pygmy census and address health, education, and legal issues.

• Dissemination Phase (Years 6–10):

  • Expand successful interventions.
  • Implement the Pygmy Act if agreed.
  • Increase the role of Pygmy leaders in the Secretariat.

• Consolidation Phase (Years 11–15):

  • Mainstream the program within existing policies and reforms.
  • Ensure long-term sustainability and integration of Pygmy concerns into national development strategies.

Conclusion

• The report emphasizes the need for government leadership and international support in developing and implementing a program for Pygmy communities.
• It stresses the importance of cultural preservation and equitable development.
• The program should avoid creating perceptions of conflict between Pygmies and Bantu communities.
• The World Bank does not commit to financing the program, but it provides a strategic guide for the Government to consider in its planning.

Key Recommendations

• Develop a National Development Program for the Pygmies (NDPP).
• Ensure legal recognition of Pygmy rights.
• Promote participatory approaches in land and resource management.
• Improve access to education, healthcare, and justice.
• Support cultural preservation and community empowerment.
• Conduct a census of Pygmy communities to inform future development efforts.

Supporting Organizations and Individuals

• OSAPY (Organisation pour la Sédentarisation, l'Alphabétisation et la Promotion des Pygmées) led the participatory process.
• The World Bank team included Mohamed Arbi Ben-Achour (Task Team Leader), Ian Bannon (Sector Manager), and other consultants.
• The study was validated through a national workshop in Kinshasa in June 2009.