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Principles of the Uhai Model



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 cultural 28
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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