ACCORD is a grass roots registered Indian charity started in 1986 by Stan and Mari Thekaekera supporting the land rights of Adavasis in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu.
ACCORD started by developing village level organisations called Sangams, which mobilised people to assert their rights to land. Over the years these Sangams have formed a membership based organisation, which looks after 200 villages.
One of the biggest obstacles the tribals faced when fighting for their land rights was their lack of understanding of the legal system. ACCORD has not only taught the tribals to read and interpret land records but has also trained them to handle legal issues themselves.
In 1990 ACCORD widened its focus, opening a hospital in order to tackle the the health issues of this economically deprived sector of the population. ACCORD has since expanded further into areas of education, housing, income generation and other activities affecting the people of Gudalur Valley.
For more information see the Adavasi home page (external link) and click on ACCORD.