DGM Saweto: A living Memory
“ This document is dedicated to our brothers and sisters of the Amazonia, who every day risk their integrity and their lives by fighting to preserve and manage their community territories; to the leading men and women, and the technicians of the implementing indigenous organizations who, for five years, faced numerous challenges and adversities; to the WWF team that supported and advised us through every step of the way; to the World Bank, for the support and the trust it placed on us; to the officials of the MINAM, MIDAGRI, and the Regional Governments, who worked hand in hand with us to promote—and continue to promote—the processes until all our territorial demands were met. Our hopes for the DGM Saweto Peru project are now a reality, because you made them possible. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you!” (Lizardo Cauper, President of AIDESEP y Oseas Barbarán, Presidente of CONAP).
Most indigenous peoples around the world have a similar dream: to maintain their homes and livelihoods free of permanent threats. What may seem like the pursuit of an ideal, is their hope to exercise their human rights.
Since the beginning, indigenous peoples in Peru have fought to attain this goal and recognition, and the lives of several of their leaders were lost in this struggle. In 2014, four Asháninka leaders of the Saweto community were assassinated for defending their territory, their livelihood, their home. To honor them, together with the hundreds of indigenous peoples who lost their lives, and those who put their physical integrity at risk every day to defend the forests, the Amazon, and nature, this project was titled: DGM Saweto: A Living Memory.
Most indigenous peoples around the world have a similar dream: to maintain their homes and livelihoods free of permanent threats. What may seem like the pursuit of an ideal, is their hope to exercise their human rights.
Since the beginning, indigenous peoples in Peru have fought to attain this goal and recognition, and the lives of several of their leaders were lost in this struggle. In 2014, four Asháninka leaders of the Saweto community were assassinated for defending their territory, their livelihood, their home. To honor them, together with the hundreds of indigenous peoples who lost their lives, and those who put their physical integrity at risk every day to defend the forests, the Amazon, and nature, this project was titled: DGM Saweto: A Living Memory.
After five years, the indigenous organizations moved forward in the process to recognize, register, and title their indigenous communities. During this time, the indigenous peoples’ capacities were strengthened, and indigenous organizations worked closely with the government in line with the plans defined. Similarly, procedures were simplified—leading to a 90% reduction of the time necessary to recognize the indigenous communities—and, more importantly, several hurdles were overcome. In addition, almost one hundred indigenous communities saw improvements in the implementation of their productive chain.
DGM Saweto Perú benefitted more than 10 thousand indigenous families by providing legal security to over 230 thousand forest hectares that were under constant threat and are now formally in the hands of indigenous communities. Similarly, more than 250 indigenous communities titled with legal capacity were registered, and 119 indigenous communities received support for the sustainable development of their productive chains.
We invite you to learn more about this Memory in the following link.
DGM Saweto Perú benefitted more than 10 thousand indigenous families by providing legal security to over 230 thousand forest hectares that were under constant threat and are now formally in the hands of indigenous communities. Similarly, more than 250 indigenous communities titled with legal capacity were registered, and 119 indigenous communities received support for the sustainable development of their productive chains.
We invite you to learn more about this Memory in the following link.
