Online conference - Launch of the PEUPLE project

30/04/2021

On 12 May 2021, EurAc and its partners in the PEUPLE project will host an online conference to discuss the promotion of the participation of indigenous pygmy peoples in the sustainable management of land and natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Context

The recent adoption of a law on the protection of indigenous pygmy peoples by the Congolese National Assembly is encouraging, but indigenous pygmy peoples in the DRC still face discrimination and violations of their rights, as well as land grabbing.

This online conference will provide an opportunity to review the latest news related to indigenous peoples in the DRC and the PEUPLE project.

The PEUPLE project

The PEUPLE project, which will last three years, was conceived at the request of Congolese organisations (PIDP, SPFA and REBAC) in partnership with a consortium of three European organisations (Agir ensemble, DOCIP, EurAc) specialised in the defence of human rights, capacity building and European and UN advocacy.

The project aims to promote the participation of indigenous Pygmy peoples in the DRC in the sustainable management of land and natural resources and to strengthen the technical, organisational and advocacy capacities of Congolese Pygmy rights organisations.

> More information on the PEUPLE project

Programme & speakers

10h00 : Welcome and introduction

  • Clara DEBEVE (European Network for Central Africa - EurAc)

10h05 : News on the situation of indigenous pygmies in the DRC

  • Diel MOCHIRE (Integrated Programme for the Development of the Pygmy People - PIDP)
  • Dédé MOLALA (Solidarity for Indigenous Women - SPFA)
  • Henri MUHIYA (Ecclesial Network of the Congo Basin Forest - REBAC)

10h20 : International issues and advocacy

  • Remi ORSIER (Indigenous Peoples' Centre for Documentation, Research and Information - DOCIP)

10h25 : Presentation of the PEUPLE project

  • Paloma CERDAN (Act Together for Human Rights)

10h30 : Questions & Answers

Practical information

Organisers

  • Agir ensemble pour les droits humains
  • Centre de documentation, de recherche et d'information des peuples autochtones (DOCIP)
  • Programme intégré pour le développement du peuple pygmée au Nord-Kivu (PIDP)
  • Réseau ecclésial du Bassin du Congo (REBAC)
  • European Network for Central Africa (EurAc)
  • Solidarité pour les femmes autochtones (SPFA)

With the support of the French Development Agency, Secours Catholique and the Comité Catholique contre la Faim et pour le Développement - Terre Solidaire (CCFD)