Dynamique des Groupes des Peuples Autochtones

Dynamique des Groupes des Peuples Autochtones (DGPA) is a network of around 45 organisations, including indigenous forest peoples’ groups, working to secure the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as improve recognition of the role that they can play in protecting forests and associated biodiversity.

At A Glance

Dynamique des Groupes des Peuples Autochtones (DGPA) is a network of around 45 organisations, including indigenous forest peoples’ groups, working to secure the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as improve recognition of the role that they can play in protecting forests and associated biodiversity.

There are thought to be between 600,000 and 2,000,000 indigenous peoples living in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Deep-seated misunderstandings exist about these peoples and how they live which often results in discrimination and even violence. Additionally, ‘development’ policies and projects can separate these peoples from their forest homes and lead to the loss of traditional environmental knowledge.

DGPA supports forest peoples to have the freedom to live their lives based on their own way of life and customs, to have access to their traditional territories, and protect and validate their traditional knowledge. DGPA works at all levels to do this, from conflict resolution at the community level through to provincial and national level advocacy to enact and implement policies that protect indigenous peoples and recognise and enhance their role as guardians of the forest.

Synchronicity Earth has supported DGPA since 2014 across a range of programmes.

A short film about Dynamique des Groupes des Peuples Autochtones

In 2019, filmmaker Chris Scarffe visited DGPA as part of a film project to mark Synchronicity Earth’s 10th anniversary. This year, members of our team have worked with DGPA and Chris to develop this short film highlighting the work of the team in Mai Ndombe province. Our hope is that this film can contribute to raising awareness and funding for fantastic work of DGPA  to serve the wider community and promote peaceful cohabitation.