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Intercontinental Network por Pax y SolidariteNetwork Intercontinentale pour Paix et SolidaritéIntercontintental Network for Peace and Solidarity |
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Second Meeting
2nd Intercontinental Network for Peace and Solidarity
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Margarita Pacheco-Montes, Columbian university professor living in Switzerland, was representing Inés de Brill, former director of the Colombian Confederation of the NGO, and membership of the Asamblea Permanente de la Sociedad Civil por la Paz (APSCP) in Colombia and presently one of its representatives in Europe. Both of them created with Adrian Atkinson (British university professor) the NGO New Synergies in Development. |
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![]() Laurent Kantu, coordinator in the Network for Association des Cadres Pénitentiaires du Congo. |
Laurent Kantu, graduate in criminology and penitential science, is president of the Association des Cadres Pénitentiaires du Congo (ACPC) and collaborates with COSI (Congo Solidarité Information). He is a political refugee in France. |
![]() Ugyen Tsewang, coordinator in the Network for Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. |
Ugyen Tsewang is in charge of information at the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. He is a graduate in economics. He joined the TCHRD in April 2001. He works in Dharamsala in India. |
Chantal Truc and Jocelyne Doguet were representing respectively Aide Enfance Tibetaine and Ecole de la Paix. |
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![]() Tsering Deckyi Ratutsang. |
Tsering Deckyi Ratutsang, invited to the seminar, is in charge of public relations in the NGO Tibetan Women's Association settled at Dharamsala. She currently lives in India. |
![]() Inés de Brill, coordinator in the Network for Asamblea Permanente de la Sociedad Civil por la Paz. |
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![]() Jocelyne Doguet, coordinator in the Network for Ecole de la Paix. |
The 31st May was dedicated to give an update on the current situation of the three countries represented in the Network. The coordinators presented the recent actions taken by their own NGO and associations. In this context, Margarita Pacheco-Montes and Adrian Atkinson introduced the characteristics of their two associations: New Synergies in Development created with Inés de Brill and International Alliance. This presentation has been capital in the frame of the seminar since it led to setting up projects regarding the DR Congo and Tibet directly.
Actually, Margarita and Adrian have shared with us their incentive thinking about their international project regarding the rainwater harvesting by the underprivileged classes.
Which connection is there between rainwater, human rights and peace culture?
Observing the important changes of the situation in Colombia since the election of the President Uribe, Margarita has concluded that it is for the moment impossible, and even dangerous, to set up actions in the field regarding the violation of human rights or similar projects.
Now, how continue to work in the field to help the populations in danger without taking the risk to run reprisals? Margarita and Adrian proposed to plan projects included into the environment and sustainable development, such the rainwater harvesting or a better water management in the underprivileged or oppressed countries.
This concept, disconcerting a priori, is however particularly relevant. A project regarding the access to water in such countries is nothing more nor less than an action aiming at gaining respect and dignity for people: Margarita and Adrian want to promote the access to water as a human right on the same level as the right for life, underlining that, for the 1st time on November 26th 2002, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has taken the initiative to include a general comment about the water as a human right: (General Comment No. 15: The Right to Water / Date adopted: 26 November 2002 / Document Number/Symbol: E/C.12/2002/11 / Organization: United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights / Twenty-ninth session / Geneva, 11-29 November 2002 / Agenda item 3 / ESCR database http://shr.aaas.org/thesaurus/instrument.php?insid=155)
"Water is a limited natural resource and a public good fundamental for life and health. The human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights. The Committee has been confronted continually with the widespread denial of the right to water in developing as well as developed countries. Over one billion persons lack access to a basic water supply, while several billion do not have access to adequate sanitation, which is the primary cause of water contamination and diseases linked to water. http://shr.aaas.org/thesaurus/ The continuing contamination, depletion and unequal distribution of water is exacerbating existing poverty. States parties have to adopt effective measures to realize, without discrimination, the right to water, as set out in this general comment."
Harvesting the rainwater thus becomes a clever solution, not only to solve the drinking water problem, but also a way for populations to gain control over their own local resources. "Act locally – Think globally": in this context, the famous motto finds its whole meaning because the question is to help the communities strengthen the social links between populations, the economic links between local enterprises, and to maintain these actions in the medium and long term, at last involving the local, regional and national political authorities.
The coordinators of the Network, Laurent and Ugyen, particularly agreed to this concept, seeing immediately the concrete application for their own country. The second part of the day was dedicated to think about precise projects for the DR Congo and Tibet.
Laurent underlined that rainwater harvesting should be deeply interesting for the carceral population from two prisons in Kinshasa area he knows very well because of the activities of an NGO he created in 1990. The estimated consequences are numerous and precious:
On another level, Margarita and Adrian added that in the international community, organizations such as UNESCO support cultural programs within the context of protection of ancestral traditions: why could not Laurent imagine to impulse survey teams in the village of DRC, by making an inventory of the different customs regarding rainwater harvesting or water management? In this operation, the question is not only to enrich the worldwide heritage, but also to constitute an interpeople expertise panel, able to give ideas and to be transferred elsewhere (knowledges and skills transfer).
As the WHO (World Health Organisation) also wants to promote the water quality standards, we can easily understand the interest of international organizations for the underprivileged populations looking for funds.
Ugyen, our Tibetan coordinator, has had a similar thinking. The situation is different: the majority of the Tibetans live in Tibet, victim of the Chinese colonisation (how act there?), the diaspora lives in exile in the world and particularly in India. For them this subject is a topical question as a water forum will take place at Dharamsala in November 2003. Ugyen and Deckyi wondered about the relevance of a such project presently: Tibet or India? In Tibet, to plan a concrete action is difficult at that time, but the conditions of the Tibetan population are so terrible than Ugyen thinks that it s urgent to have a reflection. People and resources associations have been listed quickly. A feasibility study for a water project is in hand. However Deckye has pointed out the hard situation of the Tibetan women in the Chinese jails in Tibet: right to wash two times per year, humiliation of the women in their feminine condition, lack of hygiene. This situation constitutes a real discrimination and a project promoting the access to the water as a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights could solve the situation subtly ...
Regarding the Tibetan communities in India, Ugyen has underlined the paradoxical situation in Dharamsala, suffering from lack of water between the monsoon periods. Such a project could afford a population education to the rainwater harvesting and its management, notably the preserving of the drinking water. Another interest could consist in encouraging the bringing together of the Indian and Tibetan communities sharing this training, a best understanding of each other and a better collaboration. Actually, the coexistence of the two communities is sometimes conflicting in Dharamsala as well as other places.
From Ugyen's point of view, in a larger perspective, to imagine a such project, now in exile, can provide a water awareness that can be transferred by the Tibetans in their own country when they are back.
New Synergies in Development and International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance, associations represented at the seminar by Margarita and Adrian, propose to relay these projects, putting technical experts, professionals in the field, at disposal and the support of these actions towards local, regional, and national political and economic instances. In connection with that, Margarita and Adrian have immediately given precise contacts names to Laurent, Ugyen and Deckyi: two Kenyan scientific experts as contact in Africa for Laurent and two Indian experts for Ugyen and Deckyi in India. It is effectively a question of liability strategy in matter of development policy.
How are this rainwater harvesting project and reflection linking to the ambitions of the Network and its specific object?
The Network is dedicated to support the populations of the three countries in the field and is included in the present scope of liabilities of the civil society, which is trying to organize differently so as to claim respect of human rights and of people within the respect of peace culture and non-violence. Let's remember that this Intercontinental Network for Peace and Solidarity aims at an horizontal solidarity that this project perfectly illustrates in its South to South dimension.
This day was dedicated for one part to the precise redefinition of the Network's specificities, and for the other part to define objectives for the two coming years.
Following a debate on the last two years and on the opportunity to update the Charter written in March 2001, the coordinators have decided not to modify it, thinking that the basic principles and its ethical were still valid. On the other hand, it appears necessary to better define the keywords laying the foundations for the Network, in order to facilitate the recognition and the identification for outside partners.
What is specific to the Network?
At the end of this reflection, the coordinators have updated the initial document titled The Network in Keywords
Chantal Truc, coordinator in the Network for Aide Enfance Tibétaine.
Which actions are planned by the Network?
In order to facilitate a better understanding of the conflicts in the involved countries, Laurent, Ugyen and Margarita have presented an information video:
Margarita has proposed a video from the Caribbean, San Andres Island, to illustrate a concrete case of rainwater harvesting project.
Our Network is now two years old, and we have to note that it is making progresses; it enriches with new perspectives and strengthens though our mutual commitment. Each coordinator has expressed the will to carry on this intercontinental adventure for a new solidarity, South (South solidarity such as it was never so well demonstrated than through the project proposed by Margarita, and the perspective for Laurent and Ugyen to meet again at Mumbai in India in order to intervene for the first time during the next Worldwide Social Forum. Finally, all of us are convinced that the Intercontinental Network for Peace and Solidarity participates, on his own way, humble and modest, to the patient and decided construction for peace ... a sustainable one.
Grenoble, July 15th 2003.
Writing: Jocelyne & Philippe Doguet
Translation: Odile Szczyglowski & Chantal Truc
Adrian Atkinson | New Synergies in Development |
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Jocelyne Doguet | Coordinator of Ecole de la Paix for the Network |
Philippe Doguet | Ecole de la Paix |
Laurent Kantu Lumpungu | Coordinator of Association des Cadres Pénitentiaires du Congo (ACPC) for the Network (R$eacute;publique Démocratique du Congo) |
Margarita Pacheco-Montes | - In place of Inés De Brill (coordinator of Asamblea Permanente de la Sociedad Civil por la Paz (APSCP) for the Network (Colombie) - New Synergies in Development |
Richard Pétris | Director of Ecole de la Paix |
Chantal Truc | Coordinator of Aide Enfance Tibétaine for the Network |
Tsering Deckyi Ratutsang | Tibetan Women's Association |
Ugyen Tsewang | Coordinator of Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) for the Network (Tibet) |
copyright © 2003 Intercontinental Network for Peace and Solidarity