This issue is on diversity and as Michael Ochieng Odhiambo points out in the lead article it IS finding new rhyme and reason for expression - partly as a growing reaction to the strong global forces pushing for conformity. As more and more local communities find themselves marginalized and /or that the global culture founded on consumption is not sustainable then thoughts turn inwards to find strength and inspiration and outwards to find partners in a common cause. The articles in this issue illustrate some of the richness of this diversity. They also raise important questions concerning the roles and responsibilities for us who wish to make a positive contribution as change agents.
Bil Grauel describes how he was able to work with small farmers in Paraguay supporting them to find ways to regenerate their forest woodlots despite the overwhelming odds in a country where the trend has been massive conversion of forest lands to agriculture export crop production. And Delbert Rice presents the strategy of the Ikalahan which not only provides a secure livelihood for members of their community but also encourages their youth to put their heads to work in tackling the challenges of the modern world while still having their feet and hearts proudly and firmly planted in their own rich and vital culture.
The three articles from Africa highlight the importance of development communications and the importance of local communities having the possibility, as Wangu Wangi writes, "not only to access the kind of information that is useful to them, but also to make decisions on and produce the kind of messages about their lives that they want to send out to the outside world". This is why the action plan outlining the possibilities for promoting and supporting community media, presented at the end of her article is of such importance. I hope that you who are involved in activities in Africa will be able to identify possibilities to link up with and support these exciting initiatives. But community perspectives on development issues are not always welcome as the Ngorongoro article makes so clear. The existence of conflicting perspectives was revealed when the communities took the opportunity to make their views heard on video. While it is still unclear how the events will unfold, the authors point out that there is a way forward that could help create conditions for listening and mutual learning.
Local communities do not always or even often claim their rights to be heard. Often their own lack of self-confidence prevents them from speaking up. The importance of supporting an experiential learning process that instills this confidence by helping them to become independent knowledge-seeks, is presented by Jannice Jiggins in the example of the Integrated Pest Management Programme. The programme activities are of necessity linked directly with the livelihood strategies of these communities. but their importance goes far beyond the new techniques in management that these people are learning. The programme not only places science-based knowledge in the e hands of ordinary men and women, but also does so in a way that augments their capacity to take control of their own lives.
The last article in this issue presents the work of SNCC and their efforts to stop the socially and ecologically disastrous prawn aquaculture - a threat to livelihoods of local communities as well as the mangrove forests. This work is being done in close collaboration with partner NGOs in the North and the South both in analysing the issues at stake as well as the possibilities for action in Sweden. This article also invites you to contribute.
These few examples certainly make no claim to being either comprehensive or representative of the diversity of approaches being pursued. They do perhaps indicate a consensus on what a meaningful way forward might involve. Acknowledging that diversity of cultures, ecosystems and world views are a condition for survival seems to be a central part of it.
The discussions on these issues will of course continue and we hope that our new web site at <http://treesandpeople.irdc.slu.se/> will facilitate this. Discussions are in progress on how it can be most useful. We have started with a click map that will put you in touch with the FTPP regional networking facilitators and we hope that this map might develop into a useful tool at national or regional level by including the names and contact addresses of other organizations that are interested in linking up. We also plan to put the newsletter on the site as well as information about the FTPP publications. We hope that it can also be used to facilitate discussions on more specific issues, eg. the work the Ngorongoro Maasai are doing with video as a way to raise their concerns about the NCA planning process that is presently underway. Your ideas on how best to make use of this new opportunity are most welcome. Also because we are concerned about isolating ourselves from the many who do not have access to www any suggestions how we can use this new tool to your advantage are very welcome. The great challenge, as well as the great opportunity, lies. it seems. in using this technology to bring local perspectives into the global discussions. Your advice on how this might be possible are most welcome.
Finally it seems appropriate to end this letter by dedicating this issue of the newsletter to Marilyn Hoskins who is soon leaving her post at FAO. In her capacity of Senior Forestry Officer at the Community Forestry Unit, FAO, she has inspired and supported the many individuals who have been working with FTPP during the past ten years. Respecting diversity has been one of her many strengths which has made it possible for us to find our own meaningful role within this dynamic and challenging programme. Warm wishes for health and happiness and continued success with the challenges ahead go with our thanks.
