what is happening to our forests in southeast asia? - synthesis

What do we have in common?What are the unique features in our countries?

Common Points

Green growth framework: Plunder of resources:

plantations, mining, coal, dams, mega/large roads/highways/ports,

energy projects which are old extractive/destructive activities but now with a GREEN label

(e.g. conservation, etc.)

What is Extractivism?Taking not making

Sucking out of unprocessed wealth/raw materials more

intensively Need to be done cheaply to generate maximum profits

Many states now are dependent from

extractivism for their own survival.

They get funds from extractive activities benefiting local

politicians, officials and supported by policies, laws and regulations.

Rights are not connected to JUSTICE.

- Peoples’ rights become list of things to be “checked”.

- Processes such as Free, prior and informed consent in the Philippines, SEIA in Malaysia, RSPO in Indonesia, “No Rights, No REDD”, public hearings, etc. are part of a broader strategy to MANAGE RESISTANCE and ALLOW DESTRUCTIVE PROJECTS to go

ahead.- Long-term social damage (plus

environmental and economic damages) divides families, communities, etc.

Local people are blamed for environmental

destruction/considered as the problems.

- Blamed for the refusal to participate in government projects, called as anti-

development, anti-state, communists.- Culture of impunity through laws, regulation,

social practices that blame communities- Burden of proof on communities to prove that they are indigenous, that they live in the land

for a long time. But no burden of proof on companies.

-Criminalization of struggles

Violence and repression against people.

- Physical violence and killing, public assassinations

- Threats/intimidation- Enforced disappearances.

-Legal violence using courts, laws, etc.- Militarized conservation areas

Involvement of many actors

(old and new)- Companies, consultants, NGOs, governments (many levels/forest laws), IFIs such as World Bank, ADB, UN agencies, economists,

donors, local brokers, communities

- Collusion between state and investors, between military and

conservation groups

Local people and communities taking charge of their resistance, advocacy

and reversing blame strategy.- Ecological restoration, building local

economies-Self-education and community learning

- Community exchanges & people-to-people solidarity

- Mobilizations and movement building- Legal strategies and policy changes

- Action research, documentation - Use of cultural practices, beliefs and

traditions, etc.

Post-conflict era and rebuilding (esp. in

Myanmar, Cambodia)- Through peace processes, new laws and regulations are being

developed with foreign actors and massive foreign investments

coming in, which occur on top of existing social conflicts

Unique Features

Each country has particular histories,

historical injustices and politics

continuing to play out today

The strength of ethnic and cultural identities varies from country to country.

Did we capture the discussions?

Anything we miss?