Cananéia Network Association

Cananéia Network Association is a network of third sector organizations in Cananéia, in Vale do Ribeira, on the south coast of São Paulo. Its mission is to promote the integration of the third sector in the city, strengthening the actions of organizations, working, in a synergistic way, for sustainable local development in its broadest conception.

The network’s principles are: shared management, community participation, ethics and morality, non-partisanship and teamwork. Therefore, it seeks to improve the quality of community life through promoting income generation and traditional and sustainable activities, preservation of traditional cultures, participation in the design of public policies, community education, conservation and environmental research and social development.

Project

With the support of Brazil Fund, the network aims to enable the adoption of a Draft Law of Popular Initiative based on the National Policy for Sustainable Development of Traditional Peoples and Communities (Decree 6040, 07.02.2007). The law has been discussed with the traditional communities of the city of Cananéia since March 2009.
As the proponent explains, these communities have been suffering from pressures such as restrictions to their way of life due to inadequate environmental laws and depletion of natural resources with which they live. This reality has sped up the exodus of young people to big cities. In addition, communities are discriminated against because of their customs. Failures in health, sanitation and education systems, etc, add to this scenario.

To pass a bill that seeks the realization of the rights of these communities, whose wisdom consists of intangible Brazilian heritage, the association intends to collect 500 signatures, which corresponds to 5% of the total of 9,790 voters, in compliance with the Municipal Act regarding the submission of draft laws of popular initiative.

The 20 communities – caiçaras(1) , artisan fishermen, afro-Brazilians, indigenous peoples and others from rural areas, the island and the city center – follow the developments of the whole process. Their representatives will compose the Municipal Commission for the Defense and Assistance to the Traditional Peoples and Communities of Cananéia [Comissão Municipal de Defesa e Assessoria aos Povos e Comunidades Tradicionais de Cananéia], provided for in the draft law.

(1) “Caiçara” is a Tupi word that refers to the inhabitants of coastal areas.