PACE International Project Sabah, Borneo (Malaysia)
Based in the office in Donggongan, Sabah, participants will gain professional field experience working alongside staff of
the non-governmental organisation PACOS Trust (PACOS) on locally identified activities. PACE International has worked
closely with PACOS to align unit learning objectives and assessment requirements with the proposed projects. During
the orientation week in-country, participants will further define the project scope with PACOS and will be responsible
for project planning, management and implementation throughout the placement. A field trip will likely be undertaken
and will be dependent on organisational activities at the time of implementation.
PACOS’ work assists the indigenous peoples of Sabah as many communities face challenges maintaining their rights to
Native Customary Rights (NCR) to land. The Malaysian Government has designated various areas in the state of Sabah as
National Parks, however these boundaries often encroach on traditional lands of many communities. Local communities
are adversely affected by national and state laws prohibiting them from undertaking specific activities that are
important to their livelihoods, traditions, and cultural expression.
PACOS assists the communities to build local capacity, increase awareness of issues and their rights, and supports
community endeavours in preparing legal cases for NCR. PACOS community engagement work employs a holistic
approach that also assists in addressing issues of discrimination, marginalisation, and cultural identity. For more
information on NCR issues, please see the link below to a DVD produced by PACOS/MQ Law students in July 2011:
http://vimeo.com/29907188
Human Geography – ENVG380 – Human Geography In Action
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3 week project: Saturday 14 September to Saturday 5 October
In September 2013, participants will work across PACOS programs of Resource Management, Land Rights and
Community Organising. Participants will specifically apply a range of Human Geography research methods whilst
working on a Community Mapping project.
A large part of the NCR process is proving connection to the land through documenting community histories and
traditions, and community mapping. PACOS has therefore highlighted this as a priority activity that will support current
and future NCR claims. Participants will apply various methods for mapping the social economic history and context of
the community; the environmental conditions and changes experienced by the community; and the cultural and
geographical areas of significance for indigenous communities. Participants will focus on project design and planning,
data collection, analysis and interpretation, and on producing an output that benefits the work of PACOS.
Using skills obtained through academic study and/or personal learning, and with some technical support provided by
PACOS, project work will focus on the use of ArcGIS tools to support mapping activities. Participants will be expected to
bring laptops with the relevant software loaded and to have familiarised themselves with the use of a GPS and this
mapping tool.
If time and resources permit, participants may also have the opportunity to conduct research on traditional knowledge
alongside PACOS staff working in this field.
Sociology – SOC301 - Internships in Social Research
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4 week project: Sunday 8 September to Saturday 5 October Participants will work alongside PACOS staff in the
Community Organising Program and the Media and Documentation Unit to support cultural documentation of
indigenous communities’ traditional knowledge of crafts, songs, stories and rice planting. Documentation methods will
include reports, posters and videos with the goals of:
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Protecting and passing on knowledge to the younger generation
Maintaining traditions through the promotion of culture; and
Revitalising community interest in learning traditional methods
Specific activity outputs will be negotiated with participants according to their research method preferences and unit
requirements.
Additional Information
Note: The above project information is a guide only as final projects and outputs are subject to the partner
organisation’s needs and priorities and the interests and capabilities of the participants and PACOS staff involved in the
projects.
Eligibility
These roles are open for application to those enrolled in ENVG380 and SOC301.Further information on Academic
accreditation and how this experience can benefit your studies can be obtained from your Unit Convenor.
Location and Living Arrangements
All roles are based at the PACOS Trust office in the regional town of Dongonggang, located approximately one hour from
Kota Kinabalu, in Malaysian Sabah. Accommodation is at a homestay in the village of Kipouvo, with participants sharing
up to four people per room, divided by gender. The accommodation is relatively basic with shared bathrooms, a
communal kitchen and a socialising area. It is hoped that participants will become involved in village activities and make
the most of this opportunity to experience life in a rural community.
Participants should be willing to undertake Field Trips to local communities as required by their project activities. These
may involve overnights stays of several nights and participants will need a low level of trekking fitness to reach the
remote communities that PACOS are working with.
Pre-Departure Sessions
There are compulsory pre-departure sessions for this project on 16th July, 24th July & 17th August.
Cost Information
Please refer to the PACE International website for more information on the project costs.
Further information & enquiries
Web:
www.pace.mq.edu.au/students/international
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
02 9850 9927