Written by Wilmar Stahl
This intercultural cooperation program is based on the participatory partnership model. It presupposes the equality of the parties in the expression of their expectations and offers of collaboration. Cooperation agreements are negotiated between the parties. On one side is the indigenous community, responsible for the initiative and most of the management. On the other side is the ASCIM, the cooperating organization which participates with resources and services, following its internal regulations.
The ASCIM aspires to be an association oriented towards intercultural relations; therefore, it proposes the following specific approaches:
| Approach | Agricultural Department | Department of Education | Health Department | Intercultural-Social-Spiritual Department |
| Mutual cooperation | Cooperation based on an agreementPreparation of a community budgetAccompanying agricultural producers through visits of professionals and rural advisors | Elaboration of an agreement on school cooperationCommunity responsibility for the maintenance of the school buildingsJoint elaboration of intercultural teaching texts | Coordination of the work with health care workersCommunication with health committeesElaboration of an agreement on health servicesCooperation with empirical midwifes | Involvement of mothers in the preschoolsAnnual seminars for leaders |
| Intercultural encounter | Planning and exchange meetingsJoint search for solutions in crisis and conflict situationsRecognition of the nature-related knowledge of the indigenous tribes | Working in multicultural teamsBilingual and bicultural study programsIntercultural coexistence in the schools of the ASCIM | Teamwork with indigenous health care personnelMonthly meetings with health promoters from different villages | Seminars for the intercultural dialogueIntercultural exchange in the assemblies of the ASCIMActive participation in the administrative councils of the different communities |
| Leadership Development | Training in agricultural administrationPromote organization among agricultural producers | Preparation in leadership through specific programs during Middle SchoolTraining of young people in different professions | Training for the empirical midwifeHealth seminars for male and female leaders | Seminars with female leadersSeminars to help communities find ways to grow and developAccompanying community leaders in planning and evaluationExchange at FRICC |
| Protection of the Environment | Raising awareness of the rational use of natural resources | Promote environmental awareness in schoolsRecognition of the indigenous people’s environmental knowledge | Training in the use of latrines and proper garbage disposalResponsible use of drinking water | Defending community resources against massive exploitation through legal status and education |
| Protection of cultural values | Conservation of indigenous knowledge on the use of plants and wild animals | Use of mother tonguesBicultural curriculumPromote the history and natural sciences of the indigenous tribesInvolvement of parents and leaders in the educational process | Health education through lectures and illustrative material in indigenous languagesAssistance at home births by indigenous empirical midwivesMeetings for dialogue and exchange | Seminars to project and plan for the future of the communities |
| Work at local and national level | Coordination with local and national programsAppropriate use of technology | Incorporate the study program into the current legal frameworkParticipation in national projects, seminars and exchange rounds | Leadership seminarsCoordination of the work with the responsible health regionBroadcasting of radio programs about health topics in indigenous languages | Exchange of information with non-governmental organizationsCollaboration with INDI, goveronrates and municipalitiesTransmission of information and publications through mass media and books |
| Reciprocal commitment | The ultimate goal is self-sustaining communitiesCooperation based on transparent management | The communities are committed to ensure the maintenance of the school buildings and to provide scholarships for the students of their communitires | Mutual Hospital Aid (AMH – private insurance for indigenous people)Contributions from the community in primary health careContributions from the communities for the salaries of health care workers in their communityAcceptance of their responsibility of the health care workers | Mothers participate in the preschool classesFRICC assumes most of the expenses of its budgetReciprocal commitment, clarifying conflicts through dialogue and mediation |