Oxfam America

Right to Know, Right to Decide

Too often, poor communities have no say in the extraction of resources from their land, and receive little information about these projects. Oxfam America is undertaking a new campaign calling on oil, gas, and mining companies to respect the right of communities to participate meaningfully in decision-making and to disclose the money they pay to foreign governments. This information is crucial to ensuring that governments use these funds to reduce poverty and protect human rights.

What Oxfam is Doing

Oxfam America is calling on international oil, gas, and mining companies to show their respect for poor communities’ right to know and right to decide. We are engaging with the public, government, private sector, and the international community. Each group can help respect the rights of poor people and contribute to the long-term reduction of poverty. more »

What You Can Do

Real Lives

Photos, Panel Discussion Demonstrate the Impact of Oil Extraction on Nigeria and Other African Nations
Photos, Panel Discussion Demonstrate the Impact of Oil Extraction on Nigeria and Other African Nations
Oxfam expert explains that oil revenues do not always translate into money to fight poverty.
Cocoa Farmers Threatened by Gold Mine
Cocoa Farmers Threatened by Gold Mine
Farmers seem more interested in keeping their farms.
The Coming Oil Boom in Ghana
The Coming Oil Boom in Ghana
Ghana discovers oil--but can it avoid the resource curse?
Student Activists Hear the Voices behind the Issues
Student Activists Hear the Voices behind the Issues
Oxfam America CHANGE Leaders learn how US legislation can help communities affected by oil, gas, and mining.
Land and Heritage at Risk in Ghana
Land and Heritage at Risk in Ghana
Mining proposal raises environmental concerns for a farming community’s future.
"We Are United"
"We Are United"
An indigenous community in Guatemala may lose its farmland to a nickel mine.
Joanna Manu: Community activist in Ghana
Joanna Manu: Community activist in Ghana
Joanna Manu learns how to defend her rights.
More valuable than gold
More valuable than gold
For those living on gold deposits in Ghana, free, prior, and informed consent means the right to define development in their own terms.
The Majaz Effect
The Majaz Effect
A proposed mine in Peru threatens fragile cloud forests and rivers.
More Stories
Read more of our stories about extractive industries.