ETHNICITY STRATEGIES IN CHINA John Studley 21st July 2004 London Yunnan is unique both in terms of its biodiversity and its cultural diversity, especially in ethnic minority areas. This however is not a chance occurrence and global evidence is emerging of remarkable overlaps between areas of greatest biological and greatest cultural diversity. This suggests a casual process that is co-evolving and mutually supportive. The foreseeable consequences of disrupting such long-standing interactions need to be seriously considered. From this perspective any loss in cultural diversity, Indigenous Knowledge and practice will affect biodiversity. Every effort must be made to build on the nativization of culture taking place in China (See Appendix 4) to ensure that not only is biodiversity but ethno-cultural diversity is understood and protected in order to provide a sustainable platform for poverty alleviation, well-being enhancement and intervention (See Appendix 6) The erosion of ethnic and cultural diversity is one of the least discussed consequences of the modernization & globalization (Shiva 1993). There should be concern because it is linked to social cohesion and value systems that facilitate effective management of natural resources. Moreover there is a strong correlation between ethnic diversity and the conservation of biodiversity. Although the UN, the World Bank and ADB began to consider ethnicity issues and cultural protection in the 1980s development agencies have only mouthed rhetorical support but have continued to privilege conservation of biological resources over the preservation of ethnic cultures (Blench 2001). As of 2003 only 8 multilateral/ bilateral agencies out of 27 had a policy on indigenous people or ethnic minorities, 10 had operational guidance and only 3 had formal accountability mechanisms (Griffiths 2003). Although DFID is involved in projects that include ethnic groups, and encourages "ethnicity mainstreaming" in some of its projects it is not clear how it defines "ethnicity", or "mainstreaming" (Anon pers comm 21/7/04). In spite of these failings and largely as a result of pressure from indigenous groups best practices are beginning to emerge. Many governments and development agencies, remain uncomfortable with ethnic diversity because it a contested domain that challenges the homogenisation of "national culture" and economics. This has presented dilemmas for development agencies. ADB, for example insisted its programmes in Viet Naam should target ethnic groups on the basis of vernacular identification but in China they accepted official identification although this appears to be at odds with their policy of preventing assimilation and protecting cultures (ADB 2003). Ethnic considerations in Yunnan present unique challenges given 1) The artificial creation of "Minority Nationalities" and "Autonomous Areas" on political & strategic grounds rather than ethno-linguistic 2) The ontological perception (shared conceptualization) that the Han Chinese have of minority nationalities. 3) The reconfiguration of "Culture", "indigenous", and "minority nationality" in the light of recent government policy (Ethnic Pluralism, Agenda 21, Regional economic development, Great Western Development Strategy, and Multiculturalism) and official discourse.
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