AISWACS adopts a holistic approach in addressing the issues/problems of the Santals /Adivasis (Its activities are not limited to any particular sphere alone; but are aimed at socio-political, economic and cultural empowerment of the people.

The method and the process of empowerment adopted by AISWACS is based on the principles that "people can not be developed, they develop themselves". Thus its activities are aimed at bringing about critical awareness among the people; and this (critical awareness) include the capacity enhancement in identifying their own issues/problems (contextual analysis), discovering the real causes of these issues (cause analysis) clarifications of Vision, Mission, Role, Skill for social mobilisation, Communication skills, leadership skill etc. Based on these analyses, strategic actions/plans are made and activities initiated. The whole programme is accomplished by the people themselves in a participatory manner.

The present situation of the Santals have been described in the following context areas:
1. Socio-Political Context
2. Socio-Economic context
3. Socio-cultural and historical context
4. Environmental context
5. Legal context

1. Socio-Political context
The Adivasis have a century old, traditional system of local self-governance known as Manjhi - Pargana System (MPS) at the village and intermediate level responsible for the overall development of the Adivasi communities.

2. Socio-Economic context
The Adivasis have been depended upon land, forest and water resources for their livelihood. They are agricultural based with a strong cultural-spiritual as well as economic relation to the forest they live in. Over the years more than 60% of the land have either legally or illegally changed hands and are now in non-Adivasi ownership (land alienation). Money economy entered the villages. The Adivasi culture, as subsistence economy bases society, did not develop the habit of savings or taking up business entrepreneurship. Money-lenders from outside could play upon the community's lack of experience and information. They provided credit for high interest rates leading to further land alienation. (lack of credit management)

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3. Socio-cultural context
The Adivasis, especially the so-called literate Adivasis and those living in small towns and cities, steadily alienated themselves from their traditional culture and Adivasi moral values. The dominating mainstream culture, their inability to co-operate with market economy and unfavourable legal and governance systems, made them feel inferior and ashamed of their age old customs and cultures. As a result the cohesive power of the culture which is of paramount importance in holding a society together is getting weakened. (Cultural alienation). Cultural alienation also has an adverse role in socio-economic development and education.

4. Environmental context
The massive deforestation, carried out by the forest mafia in connivance with the government forest officials, has effected the means of livelihoods of the Adivasis living in and by the forest. It deprived them from traditional means of health care and adversely affected the rainfall with a devastating effect upon the agricultural cultivation.
5. Legal Context
The constitution of India provides a number of Rights to all the citizens of India without any discrimination with regards to Religion (faith), Caste, gender and ethnicity. The Fundamental Rights as enshrined under the Constitution upholds equality (before law), dignity (as a human being) and Freedom (of speech, faith, movement etc.) of all the citizens.

Strategic challenges
An in-depth analysis reveals that the Adivasis are not aware of their legal Rights as enshrined in the Constitution. Further, special Constitutional provisions, central Acts and state Acts meant for their empowerment and development remain unknown. As a result, they can not assert these rights and also can not challenge those who misuse or abuse these laws for selfish motives.

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