AMAN's members are all indigenous peoples: defined as communities which have ancestral lands in certain geographic locations and their own value systems, ideologies, economies, politics, cultures and societies in their respective homelands. Every AMAN member has the right to choose or to become a representative on the Board of the National Alliance.
AMAN's mission statement In whatever we do, AMAN will work in a way which is true to the fundamental values of our outlook. We will not do anything which will undermine the basis of indigenous peoples' lives, unity or values which promote democracy and human rights. AMAN statutes SK No.1/1999 |
In addition, there is an executive secretary, assisted by a small secretariat, who is responsible for carrying out the Board's decisions on an everyday basis. The 1999 Congress decided that, at least for the initial period, this secretariat should be based in Jakarta in order to be close to the Indonesian parliament, government departments and other important policy and decision-makers. The first appointee, H. Arifin, from the Baduy community in West Java, resigned from his position as AMAN's executive secretary in August. So the Board has appointed an NGO activist, Abdon Nababan from Telapak, to this post as an interim measure. The eventual aim is that each province will have an AMAN secretariat in order to foster strong local organisations. On the fourth day of the Congress, delegates divided into four 'commissions' to work on the mission statement, organisational structure, external relations and work plans of the newly formed Alliance.
AMAN's outlook We regard nature and ourselves holistically. This understanding encompasses conservation and usages which do not have negative impacts now or in the future. AMAN statutes SK No.1/1999 |
The organisation will be funded through a combination of membership fees and donations from other parties, but AMAN will only accept funding from sources which are completely free from any political or commercial strings.
Congress declaration
We hereby declare March 17th as a day of awakening for the indigenous peoples of the archipelago and declare that:
"Forest peoples are skilled hunters. We know where to find our prey, how the animals live and which arrows to use for a deer, a monkey or a bird. Advocacy is just the same. We must learn the habits of our quarry – be it local officials, government ministers or an international company. We must study their particular habits and weaknesses. And we must choose the right weapons for the right target."
Edtami Masayagan, National Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines.
AMAN's Address
AMAN (Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara) are currently looking for a base in Jakarta. Meanwhile they can be contacted through either:
M. Basrin (Head of AMAN's Co-ordinating Team), or:
Abdon Nababan (Acting Executive Secretary) |