and Policies for Development of Indigenous Peoples in Chile Poverty Conditions and Policies for Development of Indigenous Peoples in Chile May 2003
Presentation Outline Institutional Framework for Indigenous Development Policies Socio-demographic Characteristics of Chile’s Indigenous Peoples Poverty Conditions of Indigenous Peoples Policies for Indigenous Development Programs for Indigenous Development Main Challenges
Institutional Framework for Indigenous Development Policies In 1993, the Indigenous Law no.19.253 was enacted. It promotes respect, protection, and development of indigenous peoples. The National Corporation of Indigenous Development (CONADI) was created as a result of the indigenous law. This entity implements government’s policies for indigenous people and communities under supervision of the Ministry of Planning and Cooperation. In March 2002, MIDEPLAN’s vice-minister was made responsible for the coordination of indigenous development policies.
Institutional Framework for Indigenous Development Policies State Role According to the Indigenous Law “The obligation of Chile’s citizens, and especially of the State is to respect, protect and promote the development of indigenous people, and their culture, their families and their communities...” (Indigenous Law. Chile 1993. General Principles, Article 1)
Institutional Framework for Indigenous Development Policies Recognition of the Indigenous Condition “The State recognizes that Chilean indigenous people descend from pre-Columbine groups and preserve ethnic and cultural attributes; land is the foundation for their existence and culture.” (Indigenous Law. Chile 1993. General Principles, Article 1)
Institutional Framework for Indigenous Development Policies Recognition of the Indigenous Condition The Chilean State recognizes the indigenous condition, but it does not recognize the existence of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Groups in Chile The Chilean State recognizes the following indigenous groups: Mapuche Aymara Rapa Nui Atacameña Quechua Colla Kawashkar o Alacalufe Yamana o Yagan
Socio-demographic Characteristics of Chile’s Indigenous Peoples The number of people who belong to an indigenous group in Chile is 692.192. They represent 4,6% of the total population. (Source: Population and Household Census, 2002. National Institute of Statistics)
Socio-demographic Characteristics of Chile’s Indigenous Peoples Composition of the Indigenous Population The Mapuche group represents 87,3% of the indigenous population and is concentrated in the southern region of the country (Bío Bío, Araucanía, and Lakes regions) and in the Metropolitan area. The Aymara group represents 7% of the indigenous population and the Atacameña group represents 3%; both groups are concentrated in the northern region.
Source: Population and Household Census, 2002. Socio-demographic Characteristics of Chile’s Indigenous Peoples Composition of the Indigenous Population Ethnic Group No. % Total 692.192 100,0 Alacalufe 2.622 0,4 Atacameño 21.015 3,0 Aymara 48.501 7,0 Colla 3.198 0,5 Mapuche 604.349 87,3 Quechua 6.175 0,9 Rapa Nui 4.647 0,7 Yámana 1.685 0,2 Source: Population and Household Census, 2002.
Socio-demographic Characteristics of Chile’s Indigenous Peoples Age and Gender Indigenous male population represents 50,4% of the total indigenous population Their average age structure is lower than the non-indigenous population
Socio-demographic Characteristics of Chile’s Indigenous Peoples Geographic Distribution More than sixty percent (62,8%) of the total indigenous population live in urban areas Thirty percent live in the Araucanía Region (south of Chile), and 28% live in the Metropolitan area.
Socio-demographic Characteristics of Chile’s Indigenous Peoples Geographic Distribution Indigenous and Non-indigenous Population Distribution living in urban and rural areas 86.9% 37.2% 62.8% 13.1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% PNI PI Urban Rural Source: CASEN Survey 2000, MIDEPLAN
Poverty Situation of the Indigenous Population Poverty Line Almost one third of the indigenous population live in poverty situation and extreme poverty. This sums twelve percentage points more than the poverty levels of non-indigenous population. The proportion of indigenous population living in extreme poverty doubles that of non-indigenous population.
Poverty Situation of Indigenous Population Poverty Line 20 40 60 80 100 Extreme Poor Total poor Non-poor Non-indigenous. Indigenous. Source: CASEN Survey 2000, MIDEPLAN
Poverty Situation of Indigenous Population Urban-Rural Settlement The percentage of indigenous population of rural areas living in extreme poverty is 14,7% or almost as twice as the percentage of non-indigenous rural population. Source: CASEN Survey 2000, MIDEPLAN
Poverty Situation of Indigenous Population Poverty Levels 1996-2000 Between 1996 and 2000, poverty levels of indigenous and non-indigenous population decreased. However, extreme poverty levels slightly increased. Source: CASEN Survey 2000, MIDEPLAN
Indigenous population have lower income levels Poverty Situation of Indigenous Population Autonomous and Monetary Income Indigenous population have lower income levels There is a wider gap in non-poor households
Poverty Situation of Indigenous Population Income Quintiles
Indigenous Development Policy Guidelines
Indigenous Development Policy Guidelines Recognition of Diversity Inter-Culturalism Ethnic-centered Development or Development with Identity Positive Discrimination Participation
Indigenous Development Policy 1.- Recognition of Diversity The unity of the nation is built upon diversity. The Chilean society manifests its diversity through the capacity to recognize itself as multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-lingual.
Indigenous Development Policy 2.- Inter-Culturalism Inter-culturalism serves as a channel of communication and understanding between different ethnic groups that form the Chilean society.
Indigenous Development Policy 3.- Development with Identity Promotion of development to combat poverty, marginality, and exclusion; recognition of indigenous peoples’ characteristics and the right to lead their development process according to their culture and traditions.
Indigenous Development Policy 4.- Positive Discrimination Indigenous peoples have been strongly discriminated by Chilean society The Chilean State is aware of the ethical implication of discrimination Inititation of a policy that seeks to achieve effective equality, beyond its legal or formal definition. Take into account special needs that can only be met through specific policies.
Indigenous Development Policy 5.- Participation Participation of ethnic groups at the local and national levels is essential The goal is to guarantee indigenous peoples are provided with adequate mechanisms of participation and decision
Indigenous Development Policy Management and Programatic Tools
Indigenous Development Policy Coordination of Policies and Programs The vice-minister of MIDEPLAN is responsible for the executive coordination of indigenous policies and programs Participating ministries that have programs for indigenous peoples: Agriculture; Education; Health; Government; Justice; Urbanism and Household; Public Works; National Goods; Labor; Budgeting Office.
Indigenous Development Policy Truth Commission and New Treatment This commission will provide an historic explanation of the causes and consequences of discrimination and cultural intolerance in Chile. It will propose a new relationship between Indigenous Peoples, the Chilean State, and the Chilean population. It will promote a State policy aimed at the development of and respect for Indigenous peoples A report will be ready on the third quarter of 2003
Indigenous Development Policy CONADI Programs Indigenous Development Fund Land and Water Fund Education and Culture Fund Promotion and Information on Indigenous Rights Program (PIDI)
Indigenous Development Fund
Indigenous Land and Water Fund
Education and Culture Fund
Indigenous Scholarships Awarded
Indigenous Development Policy Program Orígenes Development program whose goal is to overcome inequality conditions affecting indigenous peoples. Pilot program to promote public policies that improve Chile’s historic relationship between Indigenous Peoples, the Chilean State, and its Society.
Indigenous Development Policy Program Orígenes Implemented by the Chilean governmnet with financial support of IDB loan ($80 million) Promotes development with identity and improvement of living conditions of Aymara, Atacameño, and Mapuche groups living in rural areas It is a target program aimed at 44 towns, 1.300 communities and 26.000 indigenous families.
Indigenous Development Policy Program Orígenes Basic Concepts State and Public Policies (New Treatment) Inter-Culturalism Development with Identity and Participatory Management Sustainable Development Identity (ethnic identity) Territory Community Participation
Main Challenges and Pending Issues Recognition of Indigenous Peoples status to achieve a shared vision, constitutional recognition, and ratification of ILO Agreement 169 Strengthening the Indigenous Institutional Framework:
Main Challenges and Pending Issues Priority of Indigenous Law over other regulations: Water Code, Mining, Fishery Law, Electricity Law (Ralco case) Internalization of ethnic variable in policies, services, and public officials.
Main Challenges and Pending Issues Strenghtening institutional processes that channel indigenous demands Land policy reform: creation of a land bank to prevent speculation; specification of a term to purchase land subject to litigation; creation of a registry of land subject to litigation