Overview

NGO federation of indigenous community self-help groups in Mondulkiri

Background

Background/History: * MIPAD emerged as the key element of Nomad RSI’s strategic plan from 2010 onwards to build capacity of indigenous communities to regain their self-reliance in the wake of modern development, as well as to retain choice over traditional culture and ways-of-living. The earliest social groups formed were village health-workers in 2002; followed by traditional healers/birth attendants and health-plants groups (2009); with livelihood improvement/poverty alleviation/NTFPs (non-timber forest products) and maternal health groups in 2010, and finally the Sen Monorom Indigenous Market Place group in 2012 that is operating the first market only for authentic indigenous people and products.

Value

Inherent value of indigenous culture and rights while participating equally in Cambodian society and public life. Preserving cultural diversity while enjoying equality of opportunity, able to choose freely how to integrate ancient beliefs/traditions and modernity.

Mission

To promote confidence; skills; knowledge and means within indigenous communities, of women; men, and children, to effectively and equitably participate in decision making to choose their own futures, especially to ensure that they have access to education, information and opportunities to improve their basic health and livelihoods.

Vision

* To accomplish permanent improvements in remote mainly Bunong Indigenous communities: for better lives and livelihoods to be sustained; acceptable and appropriate public services to operate efficiently and for community solidarity/ownership to be invigorated through raised capacity to uphold cultural identity and manage native natural resources.

Goal

1. To promote the general health; education and well-being of poor indigenous communities, through better lives and livelihoods, especially the most vulnerable and at-risk citizens. 2. To pioneer, test and prove effective and culturally-appropriate so