9 00 r2 be em pt Se THE ETHNIC MINORITIES ISSUE Equal Opportunities in Hong Kong? Yi Minority in southwest China The Maasai in Kenya 70 Years to reclaim ancestral land in Mindanao
• ONE PERSON Meng Abarquez Meet Imelda ‘Meng’ Abarquez, who manages Oxfam Hong Kong’s emergency work around the world. She owes a lot to her Christian father who does not go to church, her mother who values education, and her home country that has long challenged injustice and poverty: The Philippines.
• ETHNIC MINORITIES Hong Kong A law against racial discrimination has finally come into effect. It has been a long campaign – the very first attempt to introduce a bill was in 1995. Meet some of the people who made it happen.
• SOMETIMES A SCHOOL, SOMETIMES A SHELTER Yunnan, China In the past decade, four earthquakes have hit this town, plus five or six floods. The schools built in 2000 have withstood them all. When a disaster comes, the schools serve as an emergency shelter for the Yi people. Meet one of the builders, Pu Guolin (pictured above).
• MEET THE MAASAI Kenya A few years ago, the Maasai faced a huge food and water crisis. Now, a clean water supply is making a huge difference for girls and women during menses, and for livestock, which Maasai men consider more valuable than women.
• PEOPLE OF THE MOUNTAIN The Philippines The Bukidnon, or ‘people of the mountain’, have always felt that the Kitanglad Mountains belong to them. Now, after 70 years of peaceful negotiations, a legal land title will soon be in their hands.
Meng Abarquez
“I’m 51, where do I want to be,”
“so warm, so kind, so welcoming”.
Meng was born ‘Imelda’ but did
“Most of the time we communicate
Meng asks herself. I am sitting with her
There have been only a few moments
not want the name of the then First
through Skype, either for providing
17 floors above a busy market street in
when she felt somewhat discriminated
Lady. She also did not want the usual
or collecting information, offering
Hong Kong. Her desk faces East, where
against, or stereotyped as a domestic
nickname ‘Imee’, a Marcos daughter.
technical support, or advising on
she can see a slice of the harbour.
worker; in fact, she says that fellow
She playfully chose ‘Meng’ after a
proposals. Ever y thing has to be
Her home is due West, out on Lantau
Filipinas are the ones who assume
friend had named herself ‘Deng’.
timely.
Island, not too far from the airport.
she also cleans homes or takes care of
The airport is two hours away from
children for a living.
People from the Philippines form
“We prepare proposals to the
the largest ethnic minority group in
Hong Kong Special Administrative
Manila, which is about 80 kilometres
The first child of a plumber and a
Hong Kong, where about 95 per cent
Region Government, which has a
from her hometown, a small town that
homemaker, Meng says her mother
of the population is ethnic Chinese. At
designated Disaster Relief Fund ;
felt like its own world.
pushed education, while her father
Oxfam Hong Kong, most colleagues
this Fund has enabled the agency
“In a way, I’m always torn. I have
was a good example of a Christian,
are also ethnic Chinese, with eleven
to respond to many crises. In all, we
worked on projects in a dozen or so
even though he did not go to church.
other nationalities represented. Meng
have responded to hundreds of crises
countries, and I love Hong Kong, as do
Together, her parents instilled in her
is one of six Filipino colleagues.
since 1976.
my two children, but the Philippines
to be kind to people, to share, and
What are Meng’s typical work
“I n b e t we e n e m e rg e n ci e s , I
will somehow always be my home.”
to learn, and she is grateful for these
duties as Programme Manager of
coordinate training efforts for my
lessons. “When I pray,” she says, “I
Humanit arian and Dis a s ter Risk
team, as well as for other professionals
pray in thanksgiving.”
Meng moved to Hong Kong in 2005 to take up the position of the
Management? “My team monitors
in our field. Oxfam Hong Kong is the
Tsunami Programme Coordinator; her
When I ask Meng why the NGO
emergencie s around the world ,
lead Oxfam affiliate in disaster risk
children aged 16 and 13 followed in
sector is so strong in the Philippines, she
especially in countries where Oxfam
reduction (DRR) and adaptation to
2007. “Hong Kong is such a good place
says there are many factors, foremost
Hong Kong has current development
climate change in Southeast Asia.
to raise my teenagers,” she says. “It’s
of which is the poverty and deep
programmes. If crises happen there, we
Right now, my team is planning
safe, we can swim, we like to explore
inequity that Filipinos experience. Plus,
immediately liaise with our colleagues
training on adaptation / DRR with
places we’ve never been, and we like
the tradition of activism is strong, as
on the ground. If emergencies happen
groups across the region.”
to host our many friends who visit
during the twenty-year Marcos regime,
elsewhere, we directly relate with
from overseas.”
people had few rights, and activism
the Ox fam af filiate which is the
was so necessary.
humanitarian lead in that country.
Her family sees people here as
Meng Abarquez was in conversation with Madeleine Marie Slavick, editor of O.N.E.
Meng (left) and her children in Hong Kong Park
Leading a training with the group, Engineers Without Borders, in Hong Kong On a field trip to Bangladesh
O.N.E September 2009
Hong Kong Unison in Geneva By Ma Sun
Fermi Wong lobbies for the human rights of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities in Geneva as an NGO delegate. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Unison
In early August, Hong Kong
F e rmi Wo ng p oint s ou t t wo
was rejected by the government.
For instance, the original draft of
Unison, which has long been
deficiencies in the ordinance. First,
Another issue that deserves concern,
the Race Discrimination Ordinance
concerned about the human rights of
the SAR government is not bound by
they say, is the insensitivity of the
exempted all government behaviour
the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong,
the ordinance when it exercises its
police force towards handling ethnic
and any indirect discriminatory acts
was supported by Oxfam Hong Kong
powers or carries out its functions; for
minority people in Hong Kong.
that would incur extra costs; yet, after
to attend United Nation’s International
example, the police force is allowed to
Fermi Wong says the informal
various NGOs lobbied the Council
Convention on the Elimination of All
carry out investigations which target
briefing has received an enthusiastic
members, and the members exerted
Forms of Racial Discrimination in
specific ethnic groups. Second, since
response. Out of 17 members of
pressure on the SAR government, these
Geneva, to express the views of Hong
exemptions are granted to education
the UN Human Rights Council, 14
exemptions were finally removed from
Kong’s non-government organisations
and vocational training, this means
attended the briefing, at which they
the Ordinance.
towards the enforcement of the Race
that schools and training organisations
were very dismayed to learn about the
Fermi Wong s ays that on 28
Discrimination Ordinance by the Hong
in Hong Kong are not obliged to
deficiencies in the Ordinance. In the
August, the UN Human Rights Council
Kong SAR Government.
provide special arrangements for
subsequent hearing session, they raised
completed its ‘Concluding Observation
Fermi Wong, Campaign Director
ethnic minorities. Schools can release a
questions to the representative of the
on China Report’. When they release
of Hong Kong Unison, says that given
Chinese-language notice to parents or
SAR government (who attended as a
it, it will be known whether the UN
the many deficiencies in the Race
students without having to translate
member of the Chinese delegation).
is satisfied with the human rights
Discrimination Ordinance, which
it into English or the language of the
came into effect in July 2009, the
concerned ethnic group.
Joseph Woo, Manager of the Hong Kong Programme of Oxfam
law was far from giving adequate
Apart from pinpointing deficiencies
Hong Kong, said that the agency
human rights protection to ethnic
in the ordinance, Hong Kong Unison
had been working with Hong
minority people. Therefore, Hong
and other concerned organisations
Kong Unison and supporting their
Kong Unison, together with a number
have long been urging the SAR
advocacy work since 2003. Before
of Hong Kong NGOs, held the informal
government to introduce a legally
this Geneva conference, Oxfam had
briefing for members of the UN
binding Ethnic Equality Programme
twice supported Hong Kong Unison
Human Rights Council, to inform them
and to ensure that all government
to attend the Convention meetings
of the fact that ethnic minority people
depar tments, units, systems and
to lobby for international support
in Hong Kong are still subject to much
measures give equal treatment to
for protecting ethnic minority rights.
discrimination.
ethnic minorities. However, the call
The results have been encouraging.
Hong Kong
conditions of ethnic minority people in Hong Kong. Ma Sun is Communications Officer (Editor) of Oxfam Hong Kong. He edits the Chineselanguage edition of O.N.E.
O.N.E September 2009
ETHNIC MINORITIES IN HONG KONG About 95 per cent of Hong Kong’s
Kong may have difficulty finding a
poor and unable to pay the rent. On
earn less than HK$4,000 a month.
population is ethnic Chinese. Most of
suitable school, sometimes waiting
the job, they tend to work longer
Over the years, Oxfam has addressed
the minority groups are from Asia,
for over a year to secure a place.
hours and for less pay than their
these issues through a wide range of
such as India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal,
Some families may have difficulty
Chinese counterparts. According to
work, such as legal advocacy, various
Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand.
finding accommodation, as real estate
Government statistics in 2006, almost
community projects with minority
agents may assume that they will be
70 per cent of ethnic minority workers
groups, and public education.
Ethnic minority children in Hong
Ranjitkaua1 (right) designs and sells handicrafts as a supplementary income for her family.
“People do not discriminate by nature, they learn it”
unemployment rate for Pakistanis
at least I can have some support for
and Nepalese in Hong Kong is 24 per
my family. The centre is like a platform
cent, which is 19 per cent higher than
where we can meet new friends and
the overall rate; they estimate that as
have contact with society.”
many as 90 per cent of the women are out of work.
Four primary schools joined this book project with Oxfam to present
Ranjitkaual, 35, is one of the
a cross-section of life for ethnic
The NGO, Hong Kong Unison
One hands-on project that
twenty women who work at Love
minority students in Hong Kong.
(www.unison.org.hk), concentrates
Oxfam has supported is for better
Multi-Culture. She moved to Hong
Thirty-nine children share about their
exclusively on ethnic minorit y
social services and income generation
Kong in 1995 and is the sole provider
lives. The result is a lively book, with
right s in Hong Kong. For thre e
oppor tunitie s with South A sian
for her family. Before working at the
short profiles of 39 children, teaching
years, Ox fam Hong Kong jointly
women. Love Multi-Culture is the
shop two days a week, Ranjitkaual had
and sports activities for building
lobbie d the Hong Kong Sp e cial
name of the shop in Kwai Fong,
had difficulty finding a job, and not
racial harmony, and various essays
Administrative Region Government
which sells handicrafts, jewellery
speaking Chinese meant she often felt
by professionals. Published by Oxfam
with UNISON for legislation against
and accessories made by South Asian
removed from the culture, alone, and
Hong Kong, the bilingual Chinese-
racial discrimination, and for equal
women. The community organisation
stressed. Nowadays, she and the other
English book is now in its second
opportunities among ethnic minority
behind the project is HK SKH Lady
women earn HK$500 – HK$1,000 a
edition.
communities. In July 2009, the Racial
MacLehose Centre Group, which
month. She says, “I am happy that I can
Discrimination Ordinance finally
Oxfam supports. According to a survey
make some money. It is not much, but
became effective. Victory has been
conducted by the Centre in 2004, the
Please order here: www.oxfam.org.hk/public/bookstore/list ISBN: 962 664 022 7
a long time in the making: the very first attempt to introduce a bill was in 1995. UNISON and Oxfam continue to monitor the Ordinance (see page 3) and also urge the Education Bureau to establish a Chinese-as-a-SecondLanguage curriculum.
Hong Kong
O.N.E September 2009
China
Sometimes a school, sometimes a shelter By Xiao Sha
In the very early morning of 17
Over the past ten years, four
July 2009, Pu Guolin, a 54-year-old Yi
ear thquakes have hit Baihe, the
minority man, arrived at Baihe Primary
strongest with a magnitude of 6.0.
When a severe earthquake hit
a decade of earthquakes and floods.
School in China’s southwest province
Floods happened almost every year.
Baihe in Januar y 20 0 0, Ox fam
The worst flood was in 2002, when
of Yunnan. There were many people
The high incidence of natural disasters
Hong Kong’s first response was two
water reached up to the first floor.
there already. The town of Baihe had
has contributed to the high poverty
earthquake-resistant primary schools;
The worst earthquake was in July
been hit by a serious earthquake eight
rate among the residents of Baihe,
improving the education facilities
2009, but there are no cracks in any
days before. Houses were so damaged
who are mainly the Yi nationality like
was stated as a priority by the Yi
of the walls. The sturdy schools act
that they were no longer safe to enter,
Pu Guolin.
community in the needs assessment.
as a relief centre, with large spaces
or had totally collapsed.
are often located too far away for
studies here.”
children to be able to walk to.
The two schools have withstood
The Yi maintain their culture.
“I voted for this project because I
used to distribute supplies, with tent-
Pu Guolin was there to collect four
Women still wear the traditional Yi
want my children to study as much as
clinics erected in the playgrounds, and
bags of rice, a bottle of cooking oil and
clothes until today. Largely patriarchal,
possible,” says Pu Guolin. “I worked
some of the classrooms doubling as
a quilt for his family. He waited quietly,
the society gives most of the power
as a porter in the school-building
temporary bedrooms, especially for
patiently, standing near a sign at the
to the men, who are seen to be
project, carrying building materials
elderly people. They feel safe sleeping
school which read, “Oxfam Hong Kong
in charge of the family, if not the
to the site. We worked shifts. In just
here, even during aftershocks.
supported RMB190,000 and Dayao
community. Most Yi live in more
six months, the school was completed,
“Ten years, not a short time. I am
County Government Office supported
remote mountainous areas, such as in
and kids started to study in the brand-
very pleased with the quality of this
RMB96,000 to build Baihe Primary
Baihe, where a lack of infrastructure
new classrooms. They did not need
school.”
School in November 2000.”
and investment has meant lower
to walk one hour each way anymore,
income, sub-standard conditions, and
like they did to reach the old school.
low enrollment rates at schools, which
My young son finished his primary
“I helped build this school ten years ago,” Pu Guolin smiled, proudly.
1
4
2
5
An Assistant Communications Officer with Oxfam Hong Kong, Xiao Sha is based in Chengdu, China. Oxfam’s response in the July 2009 earthquake in Yunnan exceeds HK$510,000 (US$65,000).
1 Over 2 million people were affected by the earthquake in July 2009 – in Baihe, most homes had collapsed or became too unsafe to live in (Photo by Yanbin Wang / Oxfam Hong Kong)
2 Oxfam supplied quilts, oil, rice and other necessary items (Photo by Yanbin Wang / Oxfam Hong Kong)
3 Yi women in traditional clothing (Photo by Yanbin Wang / Oxfam Hong Kong)
3
6
4 Elderly people temporarily staying in classrooms (Photo by Xiao Sha / Oxfam Hong Kong)
5 Temporary tent-hospital in the school playground (Photo by Xiao Sha / Oxfam Hong Kong)
6 Wang Yanbing (in green t-shirt, centre) with students (Photo by Xiao Sha / Oxfam Hong Kong)
O.N.E September 2009
Kenya
Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park
Encountering the Maasai Text and photos by Navin Vasudev I recently met with the Maasai
coordinated by ACORD ( Agenc y
people, an indigenous ethnic group
fo r C o - o p e ra tio n a n d Re s ea rch
who rely on their herds – mostly of
in Development), which has over
cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys – for
three decades of direct emergency
their food and for their income. I met
intervention across Africa.
them in Kajiado, Kenya, to monitor
I could clearly see that the clean
how they had endured the devastating
water supply has saved the lives of
five-year drought from 2003 to 2008.
people and livestock. The community
In the thick of the crisis, in 2005 and
is also better prepared for when the
2006, up to 70 per cent of people’s
next drought comes. ACORD told
livestock died.
me that traditionally, it has been
PEOPLE OF THE MOUNTAIN
By Genela Buhia
Oxfam Hong Kong was the first
hard to work with the Maasai, who
The ‘people of the mountain’
have lived in the Mount Kitanglad
Chinese NGO active in Kajiado during
are nomadic, shifting from place to
have always felt that the Kitanglad
Range. Bukidnon means ‘people of the
the relief phase, when we provided
place. One outcome ACORD sees from
Mountains belong to them.
mountain’, Daraghuyan refers to one
emergency food, water and other
their longer term assistance is that,
Now, after 70 years of peaceful
of their most sacred peaks, and in all,
basic essentials. Later, we supported
slowly, some of the Maasai are not
negotiations, a legal land title will
the mountains have been a significant
infrastructure for a sustainable water
moving around as frequently as in the
soon be in their hands.
source of heritage and identity for
supply: there are now 46 water tanks
past. They can choose to stay in the
The land title is a huge triumph
the tribe for centuries – a wellspring
in and around Kajiado. Training
community, if they wish.
for the 1,200 or so members of the
of culture, traditions and knowledge
Navin Vasudev manages Oxfam Hong Kong’s programme in Southern Africa. For the drought and the food crisis in Kenya and in many parts of Africa, Oxfam allocated over HK$10 million (over US$1.2 million).
Bukidnon tribe. Their claim was
systems. The rainforests in the range
begun in the 1930s by a leader
are also home to many endangered,
named Datu Makaatul, who was
endemic and economically important
born in 1910 and died in the 1990s,
flora and fauna species.
in managing and maintaining the new equipment has been provided, especially with women, the primary users. The water project had been
A clean water supply is important for girls and women, who are traditionally the ones who gather water for the family. During menses, good water and sanitation is crucial for their reproductive health; without safe water, many girls drop out of school and remain in the home.
This man says the water supply has definitely helped the community, especially the animals. He says he no longer goes away when there is little rainfall, that he stays in the area. (Most Maasai will cross the border to Tanzania in times of drought.)
before he could witness the victory.
Yet, Spanish and then American
It is his daughter who received the
colonisation, Christian missionary
good news in March 2009.
activity, the influx of settlers abetted
Their family has been
by the pos t- war government
instrumental in keeping the claim
resettlement programmes, the advent
alive, orally stating or formally
of a new prop er t y regime , and
writing down the Bukidnon
sovereign claims that contradicted
community’s positions with various
the customary land tenure system,
government bodies over the years:
have all been factors that have driven
the Bureau of Forest Development,
the tribe further up the mountains.
Provincial Special Task Force on
They felt that the subsequent
Ancestral Domain, and Department
opening of road networks, logging
of Environment and Natural
and plantation concessions in
Resources. It was the National
the peripheries of the mountain
Commission on Indigenous People
amounted to encroachment to
that approved the claim on 20 March
their territor y. Mired in pover t y
2009. The physical Certificate of
and injustice, they had to endure
Ancestral Domain Title has yet to
disenfranchisement, discrimination
reach the people’s hands.
and s y s temic disregard to their reclaiming of ancestral domains.
Maasai typically herd sheep, goats, cattle and donkeys. In Maasai culture, men value cattle more than women. Owning a herd of 50 cattle is seen as respectable, and the more children the better. A man who has plenty of one but not the other is considered ‘poor’. (The society is polygynous.)
THE LONG JOURNEY TO VICTORY
Bae Inatlawan says , “Culture
Bae Inatlawan is head claimant
and development must go together.
in the land rights claim, a spiritual
Development without culture will
leader of the Bukidnon tribe, and
mean losing the latter. On the other
daughter of Datu Makaatul. She
hand, with culture alone we could
says that since time immemorial,
not survive. We accept changes and
the Bukidnon-Daraghuyan people
development but only those that
O.N.E September 2009
help us and do not make us oblivious
IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
The es Philippin
Positive change was manifested
of culture and traditions. We respect
In 2003, Bae Inatlwan again tried
not only in progress over the land
other religions, but we also have our
to make use of the Indigenous Peoples
claims, but in their everyday lives.
own beliefs. We are not like machines
Right Act (IPRA) to strengthen her
Traditionally, the Bukidnon people had
with a steering wheel that other
tribe’s claim: they filed their application
been dependent solely on farming,
people could just turn as they please…
for Certificate of Ancestral Domain
growing crops such as corn, vegetables
Ours is a struggle to promote harmony
Title (CADT), a legal instrument that
and various roots, and supplementing
They have the right to regulate
through mutual understanding and
accords the rights of ownership over
that income with cash earned as farm
entry of migrant settlers including
respect of cultural integrity.”
land, bodies of water, and natural
labourers. Poverty was severe. After
organisations into the area; the right
resources within an ancestral domain.
various communit y development
to enter into agreement with any legal
This was the beginning of a long and
initiatives through KIN and others, the
entity for the utilisation, extraction or
tedious process to meet the many
standard of living has improved. They
development of natural resources; and
requirements of the CADT application.
undertook area resource mapping
the right to accept or reject certain
They persistently lobbied the National
to secure their income and improve
development intervention through
Commission of Indigenous People with
their assets, much which is connected
the ‘free and prior informed consent’.
great tenacity.
to natural resources, wildlife
They can legally represent the tribe
The tribe secured the assistance
conservation and park management.
in government committees, and they
of Kitanglad Integrated NGOs in
They also improved their technical
can decide whether to accept or reject
2003, which assisted with the CADT
skills in small-scale industries. These
proposals for infrastructure, such as
requirement s , such as a census ,
days, their income is more diversified,
relating to plantations and mining.
genealogical surveys, and collection
with more options, relying on coffee,
It means security from being unduly
of anthropological data. KIN also
honey, rattan, bamboo, agro-forestry,
displaced by the government and
facilitated the tribe to participate
crafts and blacksmithing. Yet, there is
corporate development projects.
in various strings of dialogues and
a long way to go – literacy remains low,
Bae Inatlawan says, “Our effort
negotiations.
social services minimal, infrastructure
is more than enough. Our sacrifices
weak.
have been countless. It has been more
FROM THE 1970s to 1990s In the 1970s, when territorial rights were being threatened by logging and migrant settlers, the tribe sought to obtain a legal title and formal recognition of their land ownership. This was done ‘officially’, in writing, while previous attempts in the 1930 s and 50 s were done orally. Led by Bae Inatlawan’s father, this first formal legal attempt was outright unsuccessful: the government classified the land as ‘inalienable’ and ‘non-disposable’. In 1993, after Datu Makaatol died, his children Bae Inatlawan and Datu Dumapal took up the challenge and filed a second formal claim. Still, the government did not act. In the 1990 s, new legislation offered hope – the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (NIPAS) of 1992 and the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) in 1997, which also included the National Commission on Indigenous People, a new agency established directly under the Office of the President of the Philippines mandated to implement IPRA. NIPAS provided for the recognition of the customary rights of indigenous people, and many different groups duly filed their claims, sometimes competing ones. In 1995, the Bukidnon joined together with other indigenous tribes in eight towns across the mountain range to file a unified land claim, but this proved unfeasible as it paved the way to disagreements among the many parties. When the Kitanglad Range was declared a National Park and Protected Area in the 1990s, the Bukidnon, which has a deep respect for the land and its conservation, nevertheless felt deprived when they were not consulted over their territory being subjected to this government declaration and the imposition of several new rules and regulations.
During the years 2004 to 2009, the Bukidnon went through painstaking negotiations, of clarifying intentions,
than 70 years that we have waited for
2009 VICTORY At long last, on 20 March 2009, the
changing perceptions, cultivating goodwill, and seeking required endorsements from stakeholders, some of which challenged the authenticity and integrity of their claim. With patience and determination, the
National Commission on Indigenous People finally approved the CADT application covering 4,200 hectares
Area Management Board (PAMB), Mount Kitanglad Barangay Council,
Based in Davao City, Genela Buhia coordinates Oxfam Hong Kong’s programmes in the Philippines. In July 2009, she met with Bae Inatlawan and the Bukidnon community. Oxfam began supporting Kitanglad Integrated NGOs in 2005.
of the Park. The long multi-layered process is ending. The legal ownership means that
Bukidnon sought and eventually got the endorsements of the Protected
this title”.
they now have the right to use, develop, manage and control the resources within the ancestral domain.
Malaybalay City Government, and the Provincial Consultative Body of the Indigenous Peoples, but faced opposition by those advocating for a unified claim. The whole tribe joined the ef for t, especially Bae Inatlawan, as the head claimant. Together, they defended their claim with a steadfast sense of cultural integrity, customary law, a religion of peace and harmony, and a traditional justice system that promotes dialogue. Within the bounds of their customs and traditional governance, the tribe exercised collaboration and openness with stakeholders, including local government units, neighbouring village councils, park management, and other peoples in the unified claim. Over time, broad support from several organisations within and outside the area enabled them to make progress.
Mapping activities with a 3D map of the Kitanglad Range Natural Park
O.N.E September 2009
6
N e w PartnerOrganisations
Ever y day, Oxfam Hong Kong works alongside hundreds of groups around the world, from small NGOs to international bodies, from government departments of developing countries to co m m u ni t y g ro u p s b a s e d in Hong Kong. Here are six ‘partner organisations’ that we are supporting for the first time.
OXFAM IN THE NEWS
Oxfam Urges Action to Stop Rape and Violence in DRC
• Nam Cheong Federation of Social Concern
• Yeast Foundation Ltd CHINA (MAINLAND)
Development Office of Zitong County, Mianyang City
• Western Rural Development Center In this edition of O.N.E, we highlight the Western Rural Development Center, based in Sichuan, China. The Center received support from O x fam to c ar r y o u t e m e rg e n c y response to the devastating floods in Qingchuan, Sichuan. They provided rice and cooking oil to residents of Shiba Village. In times of non-crises, the Center runs community development projects, with a priority for rural areas, yet in some urban areas too. They work to establish platforms to facilitate cooperation and development between social enterprises and rural society, and in general, to support sustainable development in the urban and rural context. E s t a b li s h e d i n J u l y 2 0 0 8 b y three specialists of rural community development, the Center currently has four full-time employees and four long-term volunteers.
Bukidnon people to legally claim their ance s tral land ( see page 6 ). Published by Kitanglad Integrated NGOs,
peacekeepers to protect civilians and to pursue
a key organisation working
justice for crimes committed in the country. Since March 2009, thousands of girls and women have been raped by armed rebel groups and government forces, and about 600 civilians have The 88-member Coalition directed pressure towards Clinton, as the US government is a key funder of the UN peacekeeping force. “The UNbacked offensive that was supposed to make life
Clinton needs to make it very clear that US support
Nanjiang County, Bazhong City
par t of a campaign by the
the Congolese government and United Nations
SICHUAN
• Poverty Alleviation and
T hi s b o o k wa s create d a s
Coalition, including Oxfam, urged her to pressure
becoming a human tragedy,” said John Sayer,
• Poverty Alleviation Office of
MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES:
Congo, 88 members of the Congo Advocacy
• Poverty Alleviation and Development Office of Kang County
Stories and Images of the Bukidnon Tribe
Hillary Clinton visited Democratic Republic of
better for the people of eastern Congo is instead
GANSU
KEEPERS OF DREAMS
In mid-August, when US Secretary of State
died in the violence in the eastern Congo.
HONG KONG
Oxfam Books
Director-General of Oxfam Hong Kong. “Secretary for the UN’s efforts in Congo is not a blank check
with the Bukidnon people on their legal claim, the book was supported by Oxfam Hong Kong as well as the City Government of Malaybay. Two launches were held in early 2009, attended by about 100 people from development organisations. Sales of the book benefited a scholarship program for Bukidnon youth, as well as an information campaign about the culture of the tribe. The 50-odd pages bring an introduction to a deeply harmonious people, with their sala conflict resolution system, batasan cultural practices, weaving traditions, songs, spiritual beliefs, and more. The book was also provided to the National Commission on Indigenous People, the agency mandated to preserve indigenous peoples’ rights in the country.
and that civilians should be protected.” The Coalition’s concrete calls for Clinton: 1. Ensure that the UN Security Council sets out and stands by clear conditions for continued support for the joint operations with the Congolese army 2. Pressure regional governments and the UN Security Council to review the current strategy against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels and urge a new comprehensive approach emphasising protection of the civilian population 3. Urge the Congolese government to bring to justice those responsible for serious human rights abuses 4. Urge and offer support to the Congolese government to undertake comprehensive
MOKUNG Oxfam Hong Kong publishes this bimonthly magazine in Traditional Chinese. Mokung, which means both "no poverty" and "infinity", highlights a different aspect of development in each issue. The Editor is Tung Tsz-kwan. The focus of the June 2009 edition was on the financial crisis. The August 2009 edition focuses on farming and alternative community planning and development in Hong Kong. There are already hundreds of farms in Hong Kong, and tens of them are organic. To subscribe: www.oxfam.org.hk/public/bookstore/?lang=big5 Mokung is online at www.oxfam.org.hk/public/contents/category?c id=1017&lang=big5
reforms of the security sector and address the structural causes of the conflict Since March, UN peacekeepers have been backing Congolese Kimia II military operations
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against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation
O.N.E – Oxfam News E-magazine – is
of Rwanda, the Rwandan Hutu rebel group. This
uploaded monthly at www.oxfam.org.
support followed earlier joint operations between
hk/one.
the Congolese and Rwandan armies against the rebel group, which started in January. Oxfam Hong Kong has been taking action in the crisis in the Congo through supporting conflict resolution and peace advocacy, and providing humanitarian relief for survivors.
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17th Floor, 28 Marble Road, Northpoint, Hong Kong O.N.E is also on-line: www.oxfam.org.hk/one Editor: Madeleine Marie Slavick (emagazine@oxfam.org.hk)