1 MILLION FOREST PEOPLE MOVEMENT

Butch Dagondon | August 21, 2007

Butch Dagondon

How did GREEN Mindanao come up with its ‘One Million Forest People Movement’ Advocacy?

Green Mindanao organized and initiated the advocacy project of  1 Million Forest People Movement sometime in December 2005. 

The following year the movement gathered momentum and more people were involved. Individuals and various groups participated. In cooperation with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, CABUSTAM, NGOs, media, local performing artists and tribal leaders formally launched the “1 Million Forest People Movement” on April 22, 2007  at Gaston Park, Cagayan de Oro City. It is envisioned to be a common sharing and dialogue of local environment situation, its conflicts on implementing laws, poverty, peace and order.  The launching was attended by about 100 environmentalists from various entities and places. The launching had kick off by live cultural band concert entitled “GREEN Jam 2”, A Concert and Cultural Performance By the Local Artists and Tribal Musicians, from selected areas of Mindanao in April 21, 2007 at Kiosk, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City. It was performed during Nite Café between 8:00-10:00 pm in the evening joined with usual modern live local band concert.

The campaign calls for all sectors to come together towards this common cause.

GREEN Mindanao and its allies are calling for your financial assistance for next year and future activities. We also accept material and technical supports from any. You can reach us by e-mail us: office@greenmindanao.org

For project concept details of this cause. Please read “1 Million Forest People Campaign”

 

1 Million Forest Campaign


Our campaign on forest protection concludes that protection of remnant forests depends on forest community’s will to defend their survival with relevant actors.

Anatomy of remnant forest regions in Mindanao; these are tribal lands & territories of indigenous people & communities of Muslim and Christian influenced people. The Manobo, Higaonon, Tala-andig, Bukidnon, Mamanwa. Maranaw, Maguindanawon, Iranun, Tibolis, B’laan, Bagobo, Mandaya, Mansak, Kalagan, Subanen, Sama, Tausog and Bajao Laut.
GREEN Mindanao’s 15 years of engagement has matured towards one million hectares of forest with a million forest people campaign. This is critical in securing the future of Mindanao islands people’s, culture, nature and sustained development. This will be anchored on tribal people’s action to protect their tribal lands and territories; complementing government program on forest conservation with church and civil society’s effort on ecological restoration. This will consider various movements among NPA’s, MILF and MNLF which has control or influence in these forest territories of which their involvement is practical. Tribal leaders, artists, religious leaders and civil rights campaigners are on high moral ground in our society and their convergence is strategic to forest people.

However, the solidarity and conviction of concern forest tribes, their rites, consulting and alliances are crucial in determining their self-development and mutual protection. Mainstreaming their customary laws and traditions will reinforce their self-governance, peaceful and harmonious co-existence and up-keeping their forest territories. The revival of taboos, traditional penalty and compensation system will enforce justice and fairness among transgressor and offended. The revival of traditional culture and belief-system will revitalize their tribal identity, enhance local knowledge management and strengthen scientific socio-cultural and natural management advancement. This will be reinforced by appropriate contemporary technologies available through tribal-fair civil society, global institutions and related ventures. Promoting indigenous diplomatic prowess, peace-searching soul and acumen for conflict resolution will stabilize inter-tribal co-existence with society.

Tribal actions inspired and driven reform, renewal and revolution. Through a concerted effort the way to secure our future, protect our rights and have peace . . .

WARNING:
Green Mindanao reserved the rights of ownership (as pioneering, initiator, organizer and proponent) of this and any of the organization’s concept, project, program or activity. Copying, production, distribution and publication without prior notice to the office is strictly prohibited and is subject by applicable laws.

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