Na comuna do Kicolo: Mulheres, incetivadas à formação profissional e ao fomento do pequeno negócio; Balcão único do empreendedor chega ao município de Cacuaco; Eleições gerais, uma oportunidade para as comunidades se afirmarem; Comunidade discute problema da falta de água; Populares clamam pela melhoria das vias.

Água potável chega no bairro da Pedreira; Bairro Novo: Foco dos meliantes armados; Actores sociais de Kicolo preocupados com o respeito dos DESC; Comissões de Moradores reclamam outro estatuto; Bairro Agusto Ngangula Esquecido pelas autoridades!

A educação ambiental e as escolas de Cacuaco, que perspectivas?; Alunos surpreendidos com subida de propinas; Cacuaco conta com organizaçaõ da Sociedade civil; Embaixadora do Canadá visita “A Voz de Cacuaco”; Minicipes aderem em massa ao teste de HIV/ Sida; Embriaguez provoca acidente na estrada de Cacuaco; Alunos surpreendidos com subida de propinas.

 

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.