Project to create an International Foundation “For the equitable and sustainable development of mountain areas throughout the world”

A central objective: to promote the Charter for equitable and sustainable development of mountain areas

The 500 mountain area representatives (from over 70 countries) that were present at the Quito World meeting of Mountain Populations, held in June 2002, adopted a Charter for the “equitable and sustainable development” of mountain areas. ‘Equitable’ for the inhabitants of mountain areas, which must: i) have access to the same civil rights, ii) retain control of their resources and the management of their area, iii) benefit fully from the fruit of the new showcasing policy, iv) be recognised for their true identity and the diversity of their cultures, v) enjoy a high level of independence in their actions and vi) benefit from a fair realignment of national resources. ‘Sustainable’ for mountain areas, thanks to a policy to: i) diversify activities, ii) enhance the value of products, iii) control the usage of space, iv) protect agricultural and forestry activities, v) maintain biodiversity and vi) efficiently manage natural resources. The process is, therefore, one of development, and one which must encompass every aspect of development, because this is the only way that success can be achieved in a mountain environment. This success also depends on the capacity of mountain areas to meet the expectations of both the populations concerned and the national and international community.

Those who participated at Quito created this new concept, which closely unites “equitability and sustainability”, because they held the view that no development could be sustainable if it were not equitable. As far as a large proportion of the planet is concerned (i.e. within developing or emerging countries), the concept of sustainable development alone seems to be largely inadequate. It only becomes acceptable if the concept of equitability is given equal priority.

At Quito, the APMM was assigned the task of promoting the implementation of this charter for equitable and sustainable development. This is an extremely ambitious objective, which demands the mobilisation of significant resources. The APMM consequently considers that it is important that this process should be boosted by civil society through the creation of a Foundation. Taking strength from the solidarity that exists between the populations of areas confronted by major development problems would seem to fit with the true vocation of a Foundation.

An essential assignment: to facilitate exchange and co-operation between mountain areas, and to help mountain populations organise themselves in order to implement the Charter

The Foundation’s principal assignment is to help the populations of the world’s mountainous areas, who are often excluded or isolated, to become better organised so that they can find a way out of this isolation, broaden their perspectives, and exchange and co-operate with each other. For these populations, confronted with rapid changes to their economic and political environment and for whom it is imperative that innovative solutions are found on an ongoing basis, contact, exchange and co-operation with areas that are suffering (or have suffered) from the same problems represent three of the most crucial criteria for efficient progress.

In order to optimise the aid brought to these populations, the primary requirement is that they become organised at a national level. Once a structured, representative and democratic organisation is in place, a policy to generate exchange and to broaden contacts can be constructed, and full priority can be given to enriching these exchanges. The Foundation must therefore encourage the creation of this organisational approach. Once this platform has been built, the search for information and the sharing of knowledge with regard to development problems can be rationally organised. The Foundation will then be able to support the study and information assignments implemented by these organisations. It will also be able to support the organisation of mountain forums, which will represent the most effective opportunities for co-operation between mountain peoples and for dialogue with society.

Encouraging mountain peoples to organise themselves
The setting up of organised structures for mountain populations at a national level represents an extremely difficult, if not impossible, prospect without outside help within developing mountain countries. The representatives of the mountain communities in these areas are indeed suffering major problems in mobilising the financial resources necessary for paying for their travel, organising meetings, searching for information (and distributing it), carrying out analyses and drawing up proposals; all of which are essential for the setting up and running of an organisation. The most difficult aspect of all, as everyone is aware, is finding the first Euro, the basis for starting up the machine. The second and third come more easily as, in the eyes of decision-makers and backers, receiving aid already represents recognition, which is even greater if it is international. The role of the Foundation is therefore to provide a start-up grant, which is easy to mobilise and use. In return for this, there is an obligation to produce results (and not resources). One of these results must be the representation and development of a national project for mountain development that is in line with the Charter.

Providing backing for study and information assignments
These assignments have two objectives. The first is to search for information concerning the mountain-related problems endured by the issuing country (which initially requires in-depth preparation work) and, in return, the release and broad circulation of this information. The second objective is the setting up, within the country(ies) visited, of a network of contacts and, subsequently, ongoing and regular exchanges via this network. This means that the partner of the country concerned must be a mountain population organisation capable of mobilising networks (convention models will be drawn up by the APMM). In more general terms, the efficiency of these meetings (and the trips made) will be significantly increased if the organisations belong to the APMM’s network, and are consequently required to re-distribute the information concerned and link up the organisations belonging to this worldwide, “mountain solidarity” network (North-South and South-South).

Supporting the organisation of mountain forums
These forums have several objectives. The first is to draw up regular progress reports on issues related to mountain development and, in order to do this, to bring researchers and local players into direct contact. The second is to produce periodical summaries of the situation in mountain areas and the policies or measures being carried out there. The third objective is to initiate dialogue with decision-makers, governments and international institutions. The fourth is to bring those companies or organisations likely to form partnerships into contact with each other. The fifth is to promote awareness of the most innovative approaches and initiatives. It is a case, in fact, of offering mountain areas, through these forums, the possibility of organising what well-organised sectors of society already do on a frequent basis: a check-point, refresher courses for the members of the community on information and techniques, and encouragement to form partnerships. These pivotal events will consequently form a platform (via their preparation, implementation and extensions) for creating new bonds, initiating the dynamics of co-operation and passing on knowledge.

These three approaches (i.e. organisation at a national level, study and information assignments and forums) will be of high educational and training value if they are well prepared and managed, and they will have a major impact on the entire environment if they are well organised and if information is efficiently distributed. The interventions that accompany them should be considered as levers for mobilising other financing. In no way should they be considered as substitutes for the existing aids. These donations should not be considered as humanitarian contributions but rather as aid with initiating sustainable development. Their capacity to mobilise (or the cost/efficiency ratio) will be high, if one considers that 35 % of the planet’s surface area is concerned, along with 10 % of the world’s population in over 120 countries.