Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 15.2
The Tri-Partite Principle in the Community Development Process
Mining
Company
The mining company should aim to support the government in
delivering government services, but should not take on government
responsibilities.
Tri Partite
Principle
Community
Government
summary, mining companies may support the government in delivering government serv-
ices, but CD programmes should not usurp the government's responsibilities.
Figure 15.2 shows the tri-partite principle. In an ideal world, CD efforts are planned
and implemented jointly, by all three parties. During the process itself, however, individ-
ual involvement may vary. At the needs assessment stage, for example, the government
authorities may not make decisions, but may contribute to issues of concern and provide
guidance in terms of regulatory requirements and trade-offs that should be considered. In
the implementation phase, government may take the lead, especially in community devel-
opment programmes that are concerned with improving public infrastructure, with both
the company and the community providing active support (funding, material, and equip-
ment from the mining project, and labour, knowledge, or land from the community).
Focusing on Project-affected People at Various Levels
Community programmes can be applied at various levels within the community, with dif-
ferent end results and tradeoffs achieved through focusing on different levels of organ-
ization (Gibson 2001). However, while not discriminating on the basis of creed, gender,
national origin, or broad racial afi liation, mining companies should recognize the special
role in the mining project for project-affected people (PAP) (World Bank 1989; ADB 2003;
Performance Standard 1, IFC 2006). The people most affected by any stage of the mining
project should enjoy priority status for community development support. They are the key
stakeholders even if they are not in a position to articulate their concerns and aspirations.
NGOs, politicians, or business people may be more vocal or inl uential, but community
support should be based on needs, rather than pressure applied to the company.
By focusing on individual community members with selected scholarships, for exam-
ple, community programmes may ultimately help to increase knowledge and participation
across the community, including those who do not traditionally hold any decision-making
power. Focusing at the individual level, however, has some inherent risks including under-
mining the goals of formal or informal authorities, or distributing benei ts subjectively.
The involvement of families (not only the family head) helps people to learn and advance
together, based on a shared vision and understanding. It also allows for action focused on
such immediate families needs as health and education. However, there is some danger of
this undermining the traditional roles of family or community leaders. Working with formal
or informal organizations such as schools, religious groups, and other community associations
The people most affected by
any stage of the mining project
should enjoy priority status
for community development
support.
 
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