Books by DW

A collection of the observations, experiences, impressions and fascinations of “estrangeiros” living and working in Angola. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards tree-planting programmes in Angola. This book is not available as a download.

Published by: Development Workshop

This volume is a collection of papers that examine the prospects for reconstruction in Angola from the community perspective. The papers are based on research carried out in 1996 and 1997 (mainly by Angolan researchers) that examined how rural and peri-urban communities have been affected by war, displacement and the many other changes of the colonial and post-colonial periods. There is also a complementary paper on the historical context for reconstruction.

The papers draw attention to the diversity of Angolan society. They also draw attention to the risks in planning reconstruction interventions without taking into account the experience of different communities, in mechanically applying development models imposed from outside, or reconstituting a former status quo. Despite the extremely difficult circumstances, communities adopted strategies that allowed them to survive many years of turbulence and rapid change. This is a potential for reconstruction. As one of the papers concludes, what is needed now is new thinking about how to realise that potential.

Published by: Development Workshop & Action for Rural Development and Environment/Acção para o Desenvolvimento Rural e Ambiente (ADRA).

Edited by: Paul Robson

Forced migration has been common in Angola for the last century, and has been experienced in the last 20 years by several million Angolans. This Occasional Paper examines processes of social change in Angola, especially recent forced migration to the peri-urban areas of the large cities, and the resulting weakening of social networks and solidarity. These changes, in their turn, make it difficult for peri-urban residents to organise collective action to resolve common problems.

This paper argues that reconstruction in Angola must include assistance to civil society at grassroots: to the rebuilding of networks of mutual assistance, community organisations and their links with the front-line-service providers of local government. This approach to supporting governance and civil society should emphasise the creation of trust and accountability. Reconstruction is a long-term process but should begin urgently.

Published by: Development Workshop & Action for Rural Development and Environment/Acção para o Desenvolvimento Rural e Ambiente (ADRA).

Purchase: For sale at DW’s office in Luanda or click on the cover image to download a free PDF version.

A migração forçada foi um fenómeno frequente em Angola ao longo do século passado e igualmente o destino de vários milhões de angolanos durante os últimos 20 anos. Este “Occasional Paper” examina alguns dos processos de mudança social em Angola ligados em particular à migração forçada recente para as áreas peri-urbanas das cidades principais, da qual um dos resultados é a fragilidade actual das redes sociais e da solidariedade. Estas mudanças estão, parcialmente, na origem da dificuldade que os moradores peri-urbanos encontram na organização da acção colectiva para resolver problemas comuns.

Este “Occasional Paper” defende igualmente que a reconstrução am Angola deveria incluir o apoio à sociedade civil de base: à reconstituição de redes de ajuda mútua, às organizações comunitárias e às ligações destas organizações com o governo local e com as instituições que fornecem os serviços básicos. Este processo, de reforço da sociedade civil e de melhoria da qualidade da governação local, deveria dar ênfase à criação de confiança e responsabilidade mútua.

Publicado pela: Development Workshop & Acção para o Desenvolvimento Rural e Ambiente (ADRA).

Comprar: Livros estão à venda no escritório do DW.

For some aid organisations, Angola is a ‘complex emergency’. It is complicated and there are few ideas of how to deal with it. The usual responses of the outside sending food and other emergency supplies may not be appropriate, and may compound the problems caused by the over-optimistic advice of the outside world surrounding the elections in 1992. This book attempts to show how people live in a ‘complex emergency’, how they attempt to build and maintain their own forms of organisation in these difficult circumstances, and how they can try to build on that.