Too often treated as obstacles to progress, objects of study, the exotic showpieces of tourism or potential converts to another religion, they are, in fact, members of complex and viable societies with a sense of purpose, fulfilment and community that many in our 'modern' societies might envy. Meanwhile, we make deserts of their homelands and call it 'development'. Survival has an international secretariat based in London, national offices in France, Spain and Italy and some 12,000 members in 75 countries. Its Director is Stephen Corry.
Survival works through projects and campaigns, education and publications.
In 1995 Survival worked on six field projects and 63 cases of violations of tribal peoples' rights in more than 30 countries. Survival's educational work ranges from participation in international conferences to the organisation of public meetings and activities in schools. Its resources include filmes, videros, slide sets, photo exhibitions, a library and schools' teaching packs. Twenty years ago we heard many predictions that there would be no Indians left in Brazil by the end of the decade. These gloomy forecasts were wholly wrong.