Developing PENHA's Environment Concepts within the Pastoral Context of the Horn.

Abusin M. E. Ref. No. 023

The neglect of the pastoral sector in nearly all countries in the Horn is still widespread today and what efforts are made to research it remain piecemeal and often ignore the environmental and sustainable aspects.

This is partly due to the use of a Eurocentric frame of research (with a few exceptions), to the predominance of strategies that marginalise the poor and look for quick-profit solutions. The purpose of this research is to provide guidelines - and recommendations - for PENHA to establish clear priorities for its work in the coming period, to promote indigenous research work.

The author critically assesses past development strategies of pastoralism which have been carried out by national bodies and foreign NGOs. He argues that even if evaluations are done, very little of the literature filters back to those concerned, PENHA could play a key role as co-ordinator and disseminator of published and unpublished material.

The research uses a survey of available titles to highlight the areas which lack coverage and where PENHA could act as a catalyst. It also recommends the following:

- for PENHA to prepare an inventory of Horn-based institution, staff and technical abilities in order to ensure the involvement of local researchers and institutions.

- to help in mapping, or even produce, an atlas of pastoralism in the Horn

- to encourage research in simple technology

- to undertake research in pastoral culture