In an RRI supported activity” the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) and the Amazon Alliance are working in collaboration this week at the World Conservation Congress to draw attention to the crucial role of indigenous rights in combating climate change and promoting conservation. The event has brought together the voices of representatives from the Amazon Basin” the DRC and Indonesia” to provide visibility to the grassroots dynamics of climate change and conservation initiatives for indigenous peoples.
Tony James” President of the Amerindian Peoples Association” described the increasing pressures over forest lands and the lack of meaningful integration of indigenous voices into policy processes:
“We are already under growing pressure from climate change” from conservationists who want to prevent us from using our forest lands for economic purposes” and from businesses that have government concessions to extract ore” water and biofuel from lands that have been ours for generations. Recently we have been hearing more and more about the carbon trade” but indigenous people are not being included in the discussions. We want to know: who will own the carbon? What will be the impact on us?”
A Forest Peoples Programme report reflected similar concerns this week” citing limited progress towards the pledges made to respect indigenous rights in the 2003 Durban Accords.
“The World Parks Congress” held in Durban five years ago” called for all members to respect indigenous peoples’ human and property rights and to usher in a “new paradigm” of conservation” yet that has not happened”” said Marcus Colchester” Director of the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP).
The delegates present in Barcelona will participate in a panel event to present their experiences with these initiatives on October 8th. For more information click here” or contact us.
To view a copy of the press release issued today” please click here.
See the links below for media coverage on RRI related activities this week at the Congress:
English:
Rainforest Dwellers Caught Between Business” Green Groups
Consensus Takes Form on Forests and Climate Change
Spanish:
Los indigenas se rebelan contra el proteccionismo excluyente de los paises ricos
Cambio Climatico Fomenta Propogacion Enfermedades y Amenaza a Latinoamerica
Rebelión indígena contra la 'venta' de bosques tropicales por derechos de emisión de carbono
Los indígenas exigen participar en la conservación del planeta
Portuguese:
Indígenas exigem participar mais na protecção da floresta
índios reivindicam mais participação nas decisões sobre a Amazônia
Incentivos para preservação são falhos” dizem liderança
Povos da floresta querem participar de decisões sobre REDD
Japanese:
ほ乳類４分の１が絶滅の危機 [http://www.nhk.or.jp/news/k10014571731000.html]