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Introduction or as groupings) can empower themselves with knowledge and access the tools of communication to make things happen.

'Local People' may of course include immigrants, if they define themselves as local and see their future and that of their children as being bound up with the locality.

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People living in a locality have an investment in its long-term future. Outsiders, whether in government or non-government agencies, are more likely to be interested in short and medium-term considerations.

Outside interests may have rights that must be taken into consideration. However, local interests are more likely than any others to be concerned about genuine conservation and must take priority when decisions are being made.

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ERA believes that sustainable development and equitable wealth creation depends upon Fair Trade. Local producers must receive a fair price for their products in relation to final market prices; for this to happen, they must be more closely linked to those markets and have knowledge of them.

2.2.2 ERA IS A GRASSROOTS ORGANISATION

These seven beliefs are fundamental to ERA's approach to environmental human rights, and explain the importance of ERA as a grass-roots organisation based on:


 * the Community Resource Centres
 * individuals who share and can demonstrate a commitment to ERA beliefs
 * any community, group, non-governmental or non-commercial organisation that shares and can demonstrate a commitment to ERA beliefs.

2.2.3 MEMBERSHIP

ERA is open to membership from all parts of Nigeria. Membership is independent of the centre but cannot be independent of the philosophy.

2.3ERA KNOWLEDGE IS BASED UPON PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH

We have seen that participation is a right, enshrined by the Earth Summit (to which Nigeria is a signatory). However, it is essential to sustainable development for very practical as well as ideological reasons.

Development projects can only be effective if they are based on true (rather than preconceived) facts, and if the Local People for whom the projects are supposed to be designed are involved in project planning, management and monitoring. The first step is research, and the 'facts' about any situation will only be relevant if the people concerned are involved in their gathering and presentation.

Development without such participation can go terribly wrong. Numerous examples of development projects in the Niger Delta (indeed throughout Nigeria, Africa and the world) have failed because the development process is in the hands of outsiders. However well-meaning, most outside agents eventually leave and have no permanent commitment to places which are not their own. Development processes are more likely 32