Mr Aslak Holmberg, Vice President of the Saami Council representing the Finnish Sámi Central Organization and one of the trainers in the on-going training on policy advocacy in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity processes, shared several tips pertaining to proper delivery of any statement during UN CBD meetings:

During the preparation, first, one must familiarize himself or herself with the documents of the certain item on the table. Second, he or she should identify the issues that are relevant to indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). Third, he or she must consider actual texts that require improvement in relation to the issues of IPLCs. Next, he or she must point out the negative impacts of the texts to IPLCs and consider the kinds of safeguards that could address these.

In reading the statement or intervention, Aslak stressed the need to be brief in the introduction. The speaker must thank the meeting chair and mention who or which organization he or she is representing. Then, he or she must provide a brief overview of the item including the general thoughts about it of the organization he or she is representing. After that, the speaker must address any concerns and mention improvements that the organization represented would like to see. Aslak also pointed out that when there is a long text recommendation that cannot be delivered during one’s allotted speaking time, the person on behalf of the organization can still deliver the additional text recommendations in writing.

Involved with the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), Aslak stressed additional key points to remember when delivering a statement: capture the listener, familiarize oneself with the texts to avoid being stuck with some strange words, and know the meaning behind the texts. The speaker must not read so fast and should enunciate his or her words clearly. He or she should look at the camera, enabling some kind of contact with the audience and sounding like he or she is telling his or her issues. The speaker must pay attention to intonation, as well, attempting not to be monotonic, practicing reading out loud in advance, and sticking to the allotted speaking time. If time is not enough, the speaker must not leave the most important point for last. Towards the end of the delivery, the speaker should add words, like finally, to grab the attention of the listeners. Then, the speaker ends his or her intervention by thanking the chair for giving him or her the floor.

Ms Joji Cariño, one of the indigenous experts engaging in the UN CBD processes who is also among the roster of trainers, offered additional pointers as regards crafting interventions. One is for advocates to bring in fresh words and ideas to the IIFB for further discussion. She added that those new to the process must not be intimidated by the others who may already have lengthy experience of doing advocacy work at the said level. More so, new comers must volunteer to be part of certain teams or working groups who are preparing these statements. Likewise, the new advocates can further advance the cause by citing relevant examples from their communities. 

The on-going training is being implemented jointly by the ELATIA Indigenous Peoples Training Institute and ILEPA with support from Nia Tero and Bread for the World.

[versión en español]

Indigenous peoples in the Philippines call for quality and culturally appropriate education and capacity development during the fourth Dayalogo that was virtually conducted on 28 January 2021 at 9AM to 12NN, via Zoom Meeting.

“Ang edukasyon ay dapat angkop sa kultura (Education must be culturally appropriate).”

Timuey Ronaldo ‘Jojo’ Ambangan of Erumanen ne Menuvu stressed the necessity of providing quality and culturally appropriate education especially within indigenous communities. He narrated how indigenous youth frequently get confused by the formal school lessons that are not context-specific and in line with their traditional systems and practices. Likewise, Ambangan opined that it will be better to have teachers who belong to the same indigenous community not only to further ensure culturally appropriate education but also to allow accountability, mentioning that some non-indigenous teachers who discriminate against their students could not be penalized through the existing customary justice system.

Through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative Philippines, the Dayalogo 4, “Supporting Indigenous Peoples’ Education and Capacity Development,” was virtually conducted on 28 January 2021 at 9AM to 1 PM, via Zoom Meeting. One hundred seventy-eight (178) participants from various indigenous peoples’ organizations, indigenous political structures,  and civil society support groups were joined by representatives from the different government line agencies, namely the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Youth Commission (NYC), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The event was also livestreamed via Tebtebba Facebook Live.

Aside from stressing the relevance of implementing culturally appropriate education, several indigenous leaders shared the initiatives of their indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities in providing basic education that is accessible, appropriate, and culturally responsive. Billy Pobre of Erumanen ne Menuvu Kamal and Norma Gonos, working for Limpong na Tutong ng Mandaya na Kabubayan sang Calapagan na Asosasyon (Calapagan Mandaya Women Association), presented their engagement in orthography projects that collate the spelling and pronunciation of specific indigenous words. Pobre and Gonos claim that these orthographies are essential teaching tools and that these are already integrated and utilized in their respective indigenous communities, as well. These orthography projects are conducted with support from the European Union through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative, co-implemented by Tebtebba with its community partners.

Billy Pobre of Erumanen ne Menuvu Kamal

In the same way, several indigenous leaders shared the results of their efforts towards building their own community learning centers. Becky Barrios of Panaghiusa Alang Sa Kaugalingnan Ug Kalingkawasan, Inc. (PASAKK) detailed that their community schools were able to teach 4,192 schoolchildren from 1994 to present. Out of this number, four (4) are already graduates of four-year courses and thirteen (13) got to finish two-year courses. Rande Bayate of Silingang Dapit sa Sidlakang Mindanao (SILDAP) posited that 1,566 indigenous children benefitted from similar community schools built by their organization.

Consequently, Timuay Labi Leticio Datuwata of Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG) called for improved teaching facilities and adequate, regular teachers in the different community learning schools in Maguindanao, if possible hiring teachers of indigenous descent. Other indigenous leaders requested for a more streamlined process in securing various permits and requirements as they explained the far distance of their communities from the metropolis where relevant government line offices were located. They called for an accessible way for indigenous youth to secure a National Certificate (NC) II, a Certificate of Competency (COC) provided by TESDA especially for relevant, timely skills like driving, among others.

"Ang mga scholarships na para sa mga katutubo ay dapat ibigay sa kanila (Scholarship grants for indigenous peoples must be rightly accorded to them)," asserted Jennevie Cornelio of TJG as she asked the NCIP to provide the said grants to its rightful recipients, the indigenous youth. In addition, Zenia Madino of Naundep ni Napahnuhan ni Kalanguya (NNK) spoke of the importance of the schools of living tradition (SLT) and the need to further sustain their existence as elders get to transmit their indigenous knowledge systems and practices through these centers.

 Zenia Madino of Naundep ni Napahnuhan ni Kalanguya (NNK)

Hany Love Sawit, a young representative of Manobo Lumadnong Panaghiusa (MALUPA), shared about the prevalent discrimination experienced by indigenous youth in mainstream schools. “Ito po ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit nawawalan ng kumpyansa [sa kanilang sarili] lalo na sa pagpasok sa eskwelahan, maging sa trabaho, ang mga katutubong kabataan (This is a reason why many indigenous youths lose their self-confidence especially in school or even at work), Sawit said. “Sana po ay maiparamdam naman sa mga kabataang katutubo na kabilang at karapat-dapat din sila tulad ng iba (It is essential to make the indigenous youth feel accepted and respected just like everyone else), she added.

"Ang mga community-based initiatives ay malaking tulong sa pag-improve ng language variation efforts ng DepED (These community-based initiatives are a big help to the improvement of the language variation efforts of the DepEd)," pointed out Marie Lourie Victor of the Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO) under DepEd. She commended the indigenous leaders for their efforts towards the creation of their own orthographies, specifically those of the Erumanen ne Menuvu and Mandaya people, as she agreed that education can be made further effective when it is culturally appropriate. "The language diversity is a challenge in the country. The approach should really be different and [context-] specific," Victor added.

Marie Lourie Victor of the Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO) under DepEd

“We are very thankful for the robust participation of the different national agencies and indigenous peoples’ organizations in these series of dialogues as we all strive to fulfill our mission of achieving inclusive and sustainable peace as well as appropriate and adequate development for indigenous peoples,” mentioned Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, former Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Tebtebba Executive Director, in her opening remarks for the dialogue. Like many of the event’s participants, she also stressed the importance of providing quality and culturally appropriate education.

Likewise, Tauli-Corpuz pointed out the necessity of including and perpetuating indigenous languages. “In line with UNESCO’s declaration of 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages and this year’s preparation for the Decade of Indigenous Languages [on 2022-2032], it is crucial to look into how indigenous languages are integrated into the different programs work,” she said.

“Sa pagdalo sa mga dayalogo na ito, mas nabubuksan ang aming isipan hindi lamang sa pagtutok sa mga polisiya ng gobyerno kundi sa mga usapin na nanggagaling po mismo sa mga organisasyon tulad ng Tebtebba at mga kapatid na mga katutubo na nanggagaling pa po mula sa mga malalayong parte ng Pilipinas (Through these dialogues, our minds are opened further, not only on focusing on the different government policies but also on the different discussions directly from organizations like Tebtebba and our indigenous brothers and sisters who are located in various far-flung areas in the Philippines),” shared Pablo de Castro, Chief of the Local Government Relations Division under the Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Similarly, Jesus Nathaniel Gonzales of the Department of Finance (DOF), representing the Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) commented, “Andito kami upang makinig sa mga hinaing ng mga indigenous peoples… sana ang mga problema ay matugunan na ng iba’t ibang ahensya at ng IGRB (We are here to listen to the issues and concerns of the indigenous peoples... We hope that these problems get resolved by the different government agencies and the IGRB).”

The Dayalogo series is a Tebtebba initiative that aims to assist sustained, collaborative, and constructive dialogues between Philippine indigenous peoples and various government agencies towards a better implementation of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. It was made possible through the assistance of the European Union through the Indigenous Navigator Initiative, and the Pawanka Fund.

The fifth global meeting of the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) took place on the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 15^th day of February 2021 virtually. The meeting focused on the theme, “The Value of Indigenous Food Systems: Resilience in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The international event was attended by 540 participants from the different indigenous peoples’ organizations, communities, and institutions along with members of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples (UNFPII), representatives from IFAD and IFAD-funded projects, and several development partners.

One of the highlights of the global meeting is the Indigenous Peoples’ Week on 8 to 12 February 2021. During the Indigenous Peoples’ Week, an IPAF (Indigenous Peoples’ Assistance Facility) dedicated side event, entitled “Resilient Food Systems: Indigenous Youth Solutions in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic,” was organized on 9 February 2021 by IFAD in cooperation with the regional indigenous peoples’ organizations and implementing partners of IPAF-funded projects. The event showcased two (2) projects from the current IPAF cycle. From Asia, Pragati Koraput shared its achievements, challenges, and good practices from its IPAF-funded project, “Empowering Tribal Youth for Nutritional Food Security and Income Enhancement in Koraput District of South Odisha.” The project is being implemented in India and has contributed in enhancing the food security and nutrition of tribal communities in South Odisha. Likewise, new donors for the IPAF next cycle such as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) were introduced and participated in the said event.

The Forum included an IFAD Indigenous Peoples Awards, a newly established event which acknowledged the contribution of different development projects, implemented by IFAD, IPAF, and various indigenous peoples’ organizations, engaging indigenous peoples in rural areas. The novel initiative aimed to showcase knowledge systems and pinpoint best practices that can be replicated to scale-up better results for future and on-going projects.

Under the Best performing IPAF-funded project category, finalists were the following: African Indigenous Women Organization Central African Network (Africa), Pragati Koraput (Asia), Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo de Tarija (Latin America and the Caribbean), and Santo Sunset Environment Network (Pacific). The African Indigenous Women Organization Central African Network won the award.

The Forum culminated with the reading of the Synthesis of Deliberations which reiterated several recommendations for the United Nations Food Systems Summit, for IFAD, for governments, and indigenous peoples concerning the significance of recognizing, maintaining, and promoting indigenous knowledge, traditional practices, and food systems especially in the context of COVID-19 and its resulting impacts worldwide.

Participants called for “full, meaningful and effective participation in the planning and organization of the United Nations Food Systems Summit” while stressing the need for the “full recognition and protection of indigenous peoples’ rights to their lands, territories and resources.” They also called for “the involvement and meaningful participation of indigenous peoples, including women and youth, in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of IFAD strategies and operations,” as they pointed out the importance of ensuring free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) before undertaking various initiatives.

As part of the resolutions of the said forum, participants committed to promote “coordination of indigenous organizations,” ensure “stronger networking and communication among indigenous peoples at all levels,” strengthen “partnerships with organizations of Afro-descendants,” and promote and facilitate “the participation, engagement and representation of indigenous youth, women and persons with disabilities.”

“Generally, the 5th Global Meeting went well though it was virtual because of the pandemic. What's good about it is the effective participation of Indigenous Peoples representatives from the various regions worldwide. IFAD committed to respond to the recommendations of indigenous peoples to ensure FPIC, disaggregation of data, and participation of indigenous peoples in IFAD operations in the country and regional levels,” observed Ruby Española, Tebtebba’s IPAF Coordinator.

Ruby Española, Tebtebba’s IPAF Coordinator

The Indigenous Peoples’ Forum, a specific initiative within the United Nations system, aims to enable indigenous peoples express their concerns, recommendations, and requests to further improve IFAD partnership and its corresponding “engagement with indigenous peoples” all over the world. The global Forum gathers every two years, with a series of regional conventions leading up to it, ensuring that the international meeting echoes the unique and diverse struggles, experiences, and recommendations of indigenous peoples from around the world.

“Increasingly, our frontlines were not growing young, and these struggles are intergenerational. Therefore, we need to make sure the spontaneity of these struggles, that we have a channeling, a reproduction of competent, well trained, knowledgeable, exposed, next generation leaders who will keep this fire burning to ensure these rights are respected and promoted.”

Stanley Kimaren Riamit, Executive Director of Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA) in Narok, Kenya, motivated young indigenous leaders and advocates who are participating in the ongoing virtual training on policy advocacy in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that started on January 19, 2021.

After the training, participants are expected to be equipped with a clear understanding of their rights and skills to undertake sustained advocacy with their governments and in key global processes, as well as lead in initiatives and actions that help strengthen and develop their communities and organizations.

Participants in the said training come from different regions of the world. They are nominated and selected through the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), ELATIA (Indigenous Peoples’ Global Partnership on Climate Change, Forests and Sustainable Development), Nia Tero, and the Asian Indigenous Women’s Network (AIWN).

The team of trainers, composed of Joji Cariño, Viviana Figueroa, Jennifer Corpuz, and Aslak Holmberg, are renowned indigenous experts who have been engaging in the UN CBD for years. They are being assisted by young indigenous leaders who also have experiences in engaging the UN CBD processes.

The training is jointly being implemented by the ELATIA Indigenous Peoples Training Institute and ILEPA with support from Nia Tero and Bread for the World.