Principles of the Uhai Model
1. Nature is supreme
Nature as the basis of life is
supreme and all-ecompassing. All elements and beings must therefore recognize
and respect it as a sacred endowment to be conserved and sustained.
2. Nature is invaluable
All nature’s elements have intrinsic
value, unknown or known. Therefore derivation and utilization of this value for
economic, scientific, social, spiritual, aesthetic and other ethical benefits
must primarily be aimed at sustaining the livelihoods of all beings on earth.
These elements of nature are variously distributed in geographical space,
creating a unique biological diversity and habitats whose value must equally be
recognized and respected.
3. Nature is a sacred shrine
In Africa, nature is a cultural and
spiritual shrine as well as a museum of people’s histories. As a sacred shrine,
home and a source of livelihood, nature should be treated with utmost
reverence.
4. Life is sacred
Every life is sacred hence all
beings (include humans) have a basic right to enjoy the abundance of nature’s
resources (clean air and water, space, lights and land) and to derive a decent
livelihood from them. Human beings, however, in recognition and respect for
coexistence, have a moral obligation and responsibilities to ensure the
protection, judicious use, management and conservation of natural resources.
5. Indigenous cultures are core to sustainable livelihoods
Culture defines the identity,
dignity, integrity, pride and cosmology of a particular people. Therefore, its
disintegration and disruption threaten the very existence of society. The
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diversity and uniqueness of each
ethnic nationality is the most valuable endowment of the African people. Hence,
to sustain their livelihoods from their interactions with nature, people should
refer to their cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge and experiences as a
base, and employ their creativity and innovativeness appropriately.
5. The dignity of the African family
The fundamental unit of human life
is the family. The African family is the culture and spiritual web of the
community within which the functional interactions and dynamic relationship
with other natures’ resources for spiritual, economic, social and scientific
gains begin and take shape. It recognizes and maintains equal dignity and the
unique roles of man, woman and the child in the family and society at large.
This dignity of the African family should be upheld and applied continually in
creating positive relationships with nature and other beings.
6. Human dignity is sanctified
Cultural dignity, religious and
intellectual freedoms, freedom of expression, association and all other rights
necessary for the sustainability of livelihoods are components of a dignified
human life. National constitutions, global charters, treaties and agreements
should, as a universal covenant, ensure that these basic rights to a dignified
human life are protected and safeguarded.
9. All being are stakeholders in
nature
All biological beings are by right
universal stakeholders in nature. Equally, they are the key custodians to the
planet’s natural endowment. As stakeholders and custodians at their various
levels (primary, secondary, tertiary) these beings have similar but relative
rights of access, ownership, control and evolution of policies pertaining to
the management and utilization of the resources.
10. Access to resources in nature must be negotiated
All primary stakeholders (man and
other beings) have the first right to access, control and management of natural
resources upon which their survival depends. However, stakeholders at secondary
or tertiary levels also have certain rights to the same resources with which
they have to negotiate. Any being that is primarily dependent on a particular
resource for survival, shall not only be deprived of its basic means of
livelihood. Man must, therefore, not only negotiate with another man, but also
with other beings by studying, understanding and fully appreciating their
source of livelihood.
Source:
Achoka A.J, Kapiyo A.R and Karinge G.P, 1996. UHAI: A Model for Sustainable
Livelihood and Natural Resources Management in Africa. KENGO,
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