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FAO POLICY ON INDIGENOUS

AND TRIBAL PEOPLES



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FAO policy on indigenous and tribal peoples



FAO POLICYON INDIGENOUS

AND TRIBAL PEOPLES



ISBN 978-92-5-106689-8

All rights reserved. FAO encourages the reproduction and dissemination o material in this inormation product. Non-

commercial uses will be authorized ree o charge, upon request. Reproduction or resale or other commercial purposes,

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materials, and all queries concerning rights and licences, should be addressed by e-mail to [email protected] or to the

Chie, Publishing Policy and Support Branch, Ofce o Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension, FAO, Viale delle

Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy.

© FAO 2010



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CONTENTS

ACRONYMS

FOREWORD 1

I. INTRODUCTION 2

II. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND DEVELOPMENT 4

III. RATIONALE FOR THE POLICY 7

IV. OBJECTIVES FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 11

V. MECHANISMS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE FAO POLICY ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 15

ANNEX 1

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: THE INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK 23

ANNEX 2

FAO’S NEW STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 2010-2019 30

ANNEX 3

PRIORITY AREAS OF WORK 32



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ACRONYMS

CSO Civil Society Organization

IASG Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues

ILO International Labour Organization

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

UN United Nations

UNDAF United Nations Development Assistance Framework

UNDG United Nations Development Group

UNDRIP United Nations Declaration on the Rights o Indigenous Peoples

UNPFII United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues



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Consistent with its mandate to pursue a world ree rom hunger and malnutri-

tion, the ollowing “FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples” has been ormu-

lated so as to ensure that FAO will make all due eorts to respect, include and

promote indigenous issues in relevant work. In so doing, it joins the international

community’s increasing mobilization in avour o the rights and concerns o indig-

enous peoples, most o whom suer disproportionately rom multiple adversities

such as discrimination, poverty, ill health, political under-representation, and en-vironmental and cultural degradation. Although much attention is ocused on the

challenges that indigenous peoples ace, it is equally important to remember the

specialized knowledge and ingenuity which oten characterize indigenous livelihood

practices. As an organization which specializes in rural poverty reduction and ood

security, it is imperative or FAO to consider indigenous peoples as undamental

stakeholders and partners in development.

The policy has been prepared through a consultative process under the overall

guidance o FAO’s interdepartmental working group on indigenous issues, which

is comprised o members rom the Organization’s dierent technical departments

and decentralized ofces. Key inputs were provided by numerous partners, includ-ing representatives o indigenous peoples, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous

Issues, several UN agencies, FAO management, and various experts. Its content is

based on international legal instruments such as the UN Declaration on the Rights

o Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in 2007 and representing

the highest standard or the treatment o indigenous peoples around the world.

The central purpose o the policy is to provide a ramework to guide FAO’s work

where indigenous peoples are concerned. It gives inormation about indigenous

peoples’ livelihoods, world views and concerns about development, including cer-

tain “core principles” which should be at the heart o joint activities. The policy

also defnes a series o thematic areas where collaborative opportunities are mosteasible. At the same time, a number o mechanisms are suggested that will allow

cooperation with indigenous peoples to move orward in a more systematic way.

With the preparation o this policy paper, FAO aspires to play an important role in

the international community’s eorts to ensure a better lie or indigenous peoples

and rural populations. The fght against hunger cannot be won without them.

Jacques Diouf

Director-General, FAO

FOREWORD



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I. INTRODUCTION

The Member Nations o the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have defned

the organization’s ultimate objectives as being to “improve agricultural productiv-

ity, raise levels o nutrition, better the lives o rural populations, and contribute to

the growth o the world economy.” As a specialized agency o the United Nations

(UN), FAO has a primary role to play in promoting greater ood security and reduced

poverty. FAO has long realized that achieving these objectives requires the involve-

ment o society at large; indeed, the consensus that development eorts mustinclude various actors and stakeholders is now widespread.

Indigenous peoples1 must be considered an undeniable stakeholder in a de-

velopment agenda shaped by such a mandate. Recent estimates indicate that

although indigenous peoples make up approximately 5 percent o the world’s total

population, they comprise about 15 percent o the global poor.2 The adversities

aced by indigenous peoples have grown in the last ew decades, but so too have

the recognition o and appreciation or their potential contributions to sustain-

able development and natural resources management. Protecting the livelihood

systems and specialized knowledge that are held within these communities will re-

verse the steady erosion o indigenous cultures but may also bring novel solutionsto the fght against ood insecurity and malnutrition, poverty and environmental

degradation.

In response to continuously growing pressures and rapid changes taking place

in the world, the international community has urged or more concerted eorts to

respond to the needs and demands o indigenous peoples. The UN Declaration on

the Rights o Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), adopted by the General Assembly in

September 2007, has given a major impetus to these eor ts by prompting national

authorities to pursue greater action on this ront. The Declaration is today the

highest international standard in this area. This and International Labour Organiza-

tion (ILO) Convention 169 (Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989) are

the most powerul and comprehensive international instruments recognizing the

situation o indigenous peoples and deending their most important rights. FAO’s

responsibility to observe and implement UNDRIP is clearly stated in Article 41:

1 The term ‘indigenous peoples’ is used or simplicity throughout this text.

2 UN Economic and Social Council, Department o Public Inormation. 2006. Action Programme or SecondIndigenous Decade Launched, as UN Forum Opens Two-Week Session at Headquarters [online]. Available at:www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/hr4888.doc.htm.



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The organs and specialized agencies of the nited Nations system and

other intergovernmental organizations shall contribute to the full realiza-

tion of the provisions of this eclaration through the mobilization, inter

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ensuring participation of indigenous peoples on issues affecting them shall

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Consistent with FAO’s mandate to pursue a world ree rom hunger and malnutri-

tion, and grounded in the utmost respect or universal human rights, this policy

is in place to ensure that FAO will make all due eorts to respect, include and

promote indigenous peoples’ issues in its overall work. The policy is motivated by

the undamental act that indigenous communities make up a substantial portion

o the world’s ood insecure, that respect or indigenous knowledge, cultures and

traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and by

recognition o the benefts that arise rom closer collaboration. At the same time, it

responds to the explicit request made by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous

Issues (UNPFII), by ellow UN agencies and by indigenous peoples themselves to

develop a ramework or ensuring that the needs and concerns o indigenous peo-

ples are eectively considered.

The purpose o this policy document is to provide FAO with a ramework to guide its

work on indigenous peoples’ issues. Current activities ollow no systematic course o

action relating to such issues and will beneft greatly rom the delineation o a com-

mon direction and approach. At the same time, it is also o relevance to indigenous

peoples themselves, helping to communicate and clariy what they can reasonably

expect rom the Organization.

The document highlights some o the key areas covered by FAO’s mandate and

addresses the motivations as well as the advantages o a partnership between FAOand indigenous peoples. It is the result o a series o consultations with leaders

o indigenous peoples, the UNPFII, the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous

Issues (IASG) and members o FAO’s proessional body. As such, it addresses a

diverse set o outlooks and easible opportunities or uture work.



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Development with identity Development with identity upholds the notion that peoples’ sociocultural expres-

sions, values and traditions should not be threatened by the development process.

Identity is o undamental importance to indigenous peoples, who see their liveli-

hood security, well-being and dignity as being inextricably linked with the continua-

tion o their traditions and the preservation o their ancestral lands and territories.

Indigenous peoples have diering conceptions o what constitutes ‘poverty’ and‘well-being.’ According to many o them, well-being is a multidimensional condition

defned by a range o human experiences, including social, mental, spiritual and

cultural welare. Relatedly, poverty cannot be defned only in terms o material

standards; one is poor not only when resources are low, but also when one is

unable to live a desired liestyle. For this reason, indigenous peoples advocate a

holistic view o development and livelihood security that transcends models based

solely on conventional economic criteria.

Free, prior and informed consentThe principle and right o ‘ree, prior and inormed consent’ demands that states

and organizations o all kinds and at all levels obtain indigenous peoples’ authori-zation before adopting and implementing projects, programmes or legislative and

administrative measures that may aect them. It emphasizes that indigenous peo-

ples must be included in consultative processes, that the time requirements or

these processes be respected and that inormation on the likely impact o activi-

ties be disclosed in advance. Legitimate consultation measures ensure that activi-

ties or actions planned respond to indigenous peoples’ concerns and interests,

thereby allowing a sel-determined development process.

Participation and inclusionIndigenous peoples claim the right to ull and eective participation at every

stage o any action that may aect them directly or indirectly. In essence, thisimplies that there must be no act o coercion, intimidation or manipulation on

the part o states, governments, private investors, fnancial institutions, non-gov-

ernmental organizations (NGOs) or development practitioners. Rather, indigenous

peoples should be included as competent and legitimate stakeholders in projects

or initiatives that enter their sphere o existence.

Rights over land and other natural resourcesRights over land and other natural resources (water, orests, rangeland etc.) are

o particular importance to indigenous peoples as they eel a spiritual attachment

to their ancestral origins and commonly depend on natural resources or survival.



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This special relationship is crucial to the continuation o indigenous livelihood sys-

tems and cultural orms. In respect o this principle, indigenous peoples are enti-

tled to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they

possess by reason o traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use,

as well as those that they have otherwise acquired.6

Cultural rightsCultural rights are undamental or indigenous peoples as their cultures are

distinct and threatened by continuous change and pressures or assimilation. In

this respect, indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected

to orced assimilation or destruction o their cultures, but are entitled to live in ac-

cordance with the traditions and the customs that underlie their integrity and way

o lie and are in compliance with universal principles o human rights. Develop-

ment eorts must ensure that contextual idiosyncrasies and diverse sociocultural

expressions are taken into account.

Collective rightsCollective rights are indispensable or the survival, well-being and integral devel-

opment o indigenous peoples as distinct human groups. These include recognition

o their specifc histories, languages, identities and cultures but also recognition o

their collective rights to the lands, territories and natural resources they have tra-

ditionally occupied and used. It also pertains to indigenous peoples’ communally

held traditional knowledge.

Gender equality Gender equality exists when people enjoy equal rights, opportunities and re-

wards regardless o whether they are born emale or male. Recognizing the di-

ering roles, needs and priorities o men and women is crucial to protecting and

promoting their livelihoods and strengthening their resilience to various types o

stress. Despite their substantial contributions to agriculture and household ood

security, indigenous women in many countries ace several levels o discrimination

on account o their gender as well as their ethnicity. Promoting the economic and

social empowerment o indigenous women is thus undamental to poverty reduc-

tion and development.

6 As stated in Article 26(1) o the UNDRIP.



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III. RATIONALE FOR THE POLICY

FAO’s mandate and indigenous peoplesThe rationale or engagement with indigenous peoples is grounded in FAO’s man-

date to achieve ood security or all. A development mission o this scope cannot

ignore indigenous peoples, who must be regarded not only as recipients o much-

needed development assistance but primarily as equal partners in development.

Many indigenous peoples are economically poor and live in remote, marginaland risk-prone rural environments. Many lack human and citizenship rights, access

to markets, inormation and basic services (such as health delivery systems), as

well as opportunities to participate in policy-making. They may also be prevented

rom participating in development activities and, due to prejudice and/or isolation,

be barred rom access to public services and other provisions or development and

ood security. Indigenous economies are oten based on subsistence and charac-

terized by limited access to land and other natural resources. Even those who live

in urban areas share many o these same problems as migration has oten not

translated into anticipated job opportunities and economic security.

Overall, indigenous peoples are disproportionately impacted by environmentaldegradation, politico-economic marginalization and development activities that

negatively aect their ecosystems, livelihoods, cultural heritage and nutritional

status. This vulnerability to multiple adversities means that indigenous peoples

require specifc attention in order to beneft rom development on their own terms.

Establishing unambiguous and legally substantiated rights to resources such as

land, water, ood, seed and animal stock systems is a priority or the survival

o indigenous livelihoods. Appropriate investments in conservation measures and

technology or agriculture are also o great beneft. In these respects, FAO has a

signifcant role to play.

At the same time, indigenous peoples are providers o valuable knowledge and

skills that contribute to sustainable development and natural resources manage-

ment. Their agricultural practices have demonstrated great adaptiveness and re-

silience in the past and they continue to play a key role in the domestication,

conservation and adaptation o genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity at

all scales (gene, species, ecosystem and landscape). The agricultural, hunting,

gathering, fshing, animal husbandry and orestry practices o indigenous peoples

oten integrate economic, environmental, social and cultural considerations. In

parallel, many have developed knowledge systems, technologies and institutions

or the sustainable management o local biodiversity. Traditional diets and coping

mechanisms have drawn on this distinctive capacity particularly in times o stress

and have played a key role in the ability o many indigenous peoples to subsist



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in extreme conditions. This alone is a major contribution to the historic develop-

ment o the world’s agricultural and ood systems. Mobilizing the expertise that

originates rom this heritage and these historical legacies is an important resource

or addressing the challenges acing ood and agriculture today and in the uture.

Development programmes that capitalize on these historic insights and that pur-

sue the dynamic conservation o traditional systems against undue loss are thus

crucial.

An agenda that pursues global ood security, sustainable natural resources

management and poverty alleviation cannot ignore indigenous peoples, making

them a clear partner o concern to FAO. The Organization’s new Strategic Frame-

work, adopted by the Conerence o FAO in 2008 as part o a comprehensive FAO

reorm process, oers a number o opportunities or mainstreaming indigenous

peoples’ issues into FAO’s current work plan. The Framework sets out a number o

targets and unctions that are to be the basis o FAO’s overall programme or the

2010–2019 period. Critically, indigenous peoples are specifically mentioned within

3 out o 11 o the plan’s Strategic Objectives. These direct reerences relate to

issues o sustainable management o land, water and genetic resources, nutritionand biodiversity and orestry development. Explicit statements o this kind essen-

tially commit member countries and the Organization to a more proound engage-

ment. (For more detailed inormation about the relevance o indigenous peoples’

issues to the Framework’s various Strategic Objectives, see Annex II.)

The new Strategic Framework thus presents an excellent opportunity to integrate

indigenous peoples’ issues eectively within FAO’s new projected programme o

work. At the same time, it is important to stress that the Organization has worked

successully with indigenous peoples in the past; collaboration is an existing real-

ity and an improved relationship is a viable prospect.

Priority areas of workCollaboration with indigenous peoples must reect and be ormulated in accord-

ance with FAO’s core programmes and expertise. The ollowing priority areas o

work have been identifed as the basis or greater collaboration. They derive rom a

thematic review o past and ongoing FAO activities related to indigenous peoples’

issues, and as such they oer the most easible platorms or strengthened work.

(For more inormation, see Annex III.) The areas are, however, strongly interrelated

and thus should be addressed in a holistic and multi-disciplinary manner.



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Natural resources, environment and genetic resourcesThe right to and sustainable management o natural resources (land, water,

fsheries, orests, genetic resources, biodiversity etc.) is crucial or the beneft o

present and uture generations, particularly those who rely on the environment or

their daily survival.

Climate change and bioenergy Adaptation and mitigation measures are needed to oset the challenges and

vulnerabilities that relate to climate change. Bioenergy development oers one

potential avenue i sustainability and poverty reduction are taken into consid-

eration. FAO pursues this objective through sustainable small-scale livelihood-

oriented bioenergy initiatives, which can provide improved access to sustainable

and aordable energy services, enhance livelihoods or rural people and increase

their resilience to the eects o climate change, without negative impact on ood

production and the environment.

Land and territoriesFormal recognition o rights over land, territories and other natural resources is

a direct actor in the alleviation o hunger and rural poverty. For most indigenous

peoples around the world, right to land is severely threatened by uncontrolled

expansion o activities related to orestry, mining, tourism and other commercial

enterprises. The centrality o land to indigenous peoples makes this area particu-

larly important.

Food security, nutrition and the right to foodThe right to adequate ood is a undamental human right and must be sae-

guarded, particularly or the most vulnerable. FAO leads international eorts to

ensure ood security, defned as a state in which all people, at all times, have

physical, social and economic access to sufcient, sae and nutritious ood.

Communication and knowledge systemsCommunication can generate capacity development, empowerment and positive

social change. Access to inormation, combined with the preservation o traditional

skills and knowledge systems, can bring novel solutions to ood insecurity, provid-

ing eective avenues or sustainable development.



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Cultural and biological diversity Food security is dependent on the continued availability and richness o natural

resources, but also on the survival o the diverse cultural systems that sustain them.

FAO saeguards the relationship between biological and cultural diversity to ensure

more options or hunger alleviation. Pursuing the dynamic conservation o traditional

heritage systems – be they agricultural or based on other natural resources – is acentral component o this eort.

Economic opportunity for sustainable livelihoodsOne o the major constraints to addressing the needs o indigenous and tribal

peoples is their lack o access to markets, fnancial resources and stable sources

o production to alleviate poverty and ood insecurity. Creating income-generating

opportunities and building long-term capacities or stable rural employment are

central components o FAO’s work and an objective o sustainable and sel-deter-

mined development.

FAO’s directive to work with indigenous peoples is ramed by the undamentalmotives articulated here; they constitute the overarching reasoning behind the

development o this policy. Any action or area that aects indigenous communities

must also be guided by the principles outlined earlier in this text.



IV. OBJECTIVES FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The ollowing objectives have been ormulated as the basis upon which FAO

will pursue greater commitment to responding to the needs and concerns o indig-

enous peoples. They provide stepping stones or a way orward and a commitment

to attaining realistic objectives, based on the Organization’s strengths and com-

parative advantages and within its overall mandate towards ensuring humanity’s

reedom rom hunger.



OBJECTIVES FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

FAO will improve its institutional environment and capacities to re-

spond to and collaborate with indigenous peoples and their or-

ganizations.

FAO will enhance the capacity o governments to engage indigenous

peoples at the national and international level, in pursuance o

their rights and visions o development.

FAO will integrate indigenous peoples’ issues into those normative

and operational areas o its work that aect or support indig-

enous peoples and their traditional agriculture, ood and liveli-

hood systems.

FAO will acilitate the direct and eective participation o indigenous

peoples in current and uture FAO programmes and activities

that aect indigenous peoples. It will support enabling environ-

ments to oster inclusion o indigenous peoples in the design,

execution and evaluation o policies and programmes that con-

cern and/or aect them.



FAO will establish measures to collaborate with indigenous peoples

and discourage ventures that will have an adverse impact on

their communities. When there is a direct impact or relation to

indigenous peoples’ issues, it will ollow the provisions o the UN

Declaration on the Rights o Indigenous Peoples that relate toree, prior and inormed consent.

FAO will approach indigenous peoples in a way that answers to, in-

teracts with and learns rom their unique ood and agriculture

practices, livelihood systems and specifc sociocultural circum-

stances, thus building on their potential contributions and ac-

tively encouraging ‘development with identity.’

FAO activities that aect indigenous peoples will be guided by the

human rights-based approach to development, premised on the

notion that everyone should live in dignity and attain the high-

est standards o humanity guaranteed by international human

rights law. It will be guided in particular by the core principles

expressed in this policy document and by the UN Declaration onthe Rights o Indigenous Peoples.



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FAO’s objectives or engagement with indigenous peoples are ormulated in light

o its expertise and in recognition o the rights to which indigenous peoples are

entitled under international law. Consultation and ree, prior and inormed consent

will be sought when FAO projects directly aect indigenous peoples. At the same

time, prospective activities must be consistent with FAO’s mandate concerning

ood security and nutrition; the Organization will not get involved in any programme

judged antithetical to or outside o its ultimate goal.

The objectives that have been ormulated must also be considered in light o

FAO’s nature as an intergovernmental organization. Any activity, particularly at the

national level, must be endorsed by the concerned government and relevant au-

thority, which may at time inuence the degree and potential or engagement with

indigenous peoples. Nevertheless, FAO’s role as a neutral orum, and in light o its

commitment to universal human rights, means that much emphasis is placed on

dialogue as an avenue or common understanding.



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V. MECHANISMS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE

FAO POLICY ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

FAO’s engagement with indigenous peoples will ocus on areas that build on its

established activities and ways o working. The ollowing mechanisms are aligned

with FAO’s Policy and Strategy for Cooperation with Non-Governmental and Civil So-

ciety Organizations so as to ensure an overall complementarity between the two.

A dual unction is envisioned: to increase FAO’s eectiveness in enabling govern-

ments to respond to the particular needs and demands o indigenous peoples

on the one hand, and to increase the capacity o indigenous peoples to maintainand strengthen their livelihoods in accordance with sociocultural preerences on

the other. FAO will endeavour to promote such measures among its partners at all

levels. Ultimately, these measures are in keeping with FAO’s mandate to pursue

development that is equitable as well as sustainable.

A. Information sharing and analysisFAO serves as a knowledge network in order to share expertise, sensitize public

opinion and ensure that its programmes and activities are based on thorough and

up-to-date inormation rom the real world. To improve inormation sharing andanalysis related to indigenous peoples’ issues, FAO will undertake more o the

ollowing areas.

A.1. Awareness-raising Raising awareness about the conditions in which indigenous peoples live pro-

vides the groundwork upon which greater action and greater commitment take

shape. As a knowledge-sharing organization, FAO has both the technical know-how

and capacity to disseminate inormation that aids development more generally. Re-

search and outreach are FAO strengths and must continue as integral components

o this policy as well.

A.2. Communication and data collectionCollecting disaggregated data on ethnicity and gender and producing quantita-

tive as well as qualitative evidence on living standards and other indices will make

a major contribution to convincing policy-makers and member countries to take in-

digenous peoples’ issues seriously. Developing databases to store and share such

inormation will also help provide a common basis rom which to pursue collabora-

tive activities. Without a reliable set o acts and fgures it is difcult to determine

development priorities and to target actions eectively. Good communication and

inormation will thus increase understanding and encourage action.



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A.3. Research with indigenous communitiesFAO will undertake studies o livelihoods among indigenous peoples living in the

countries in which it has ongoing activities. Greater understanding o particular

indigenous ood and livelihood systems brings greater understanding o the indi-

vidual needs and concerns o indigenous peoples. At the same time, the active

engagement o indigenous communities themselves in producing such knowledge

can generate a sense o ownership. This, in turn, will ensure that developmentprogrammes will be better tailored to the particular requirements o a given com-

munity and locality. With such a priori inormation, FAO would be better able to

respond in times o crisis and in accordance with the principles so integral to indig-

enous peoples’ rights and livelihood security.

B. Policy dialogue and normative workFAO plays an important role as an international orum, providing a meeting place

where key stakeholders can come together to discuss issues and orge agree-

ments related to ood and agriculture. These experiences are used to help coun-tries devise policies, drat eective legislation and create national strategies to

achieve rural development and alleviate hunger. FAO also works to set standards

to protect people and resources against damaging or unair practices. Normative

instruments such as codes and conventions are necessary to establish accept-

able parameters and behaviour. In order to make policy dialogue and normative

work more comprehensive, FAO will give greater attention to the ollowing areas.

B.1. DialogueIt is important or FAO to engage in dialogue with indigenous peoples in order to

communicate eectively what can be done or and with them as stipulated by FAO’s

mandate and operational boundaries. Just as it is undamental or FAO to deline-ate its institutional commitment to indigenous peoples and increase its capacity to

respond to their needs, it is equally important to clariy to indigenous peoples what

can be realistically expected rom FAO. This kind o outreach will ensure that col-

laboration can be established around common goals and common understanding.

In order or such an exchange to occur, it is necessary to have a representative

body o indigenous peoples with which to engage. The Civil Society Forum that took

place on the occasion o the World Food Summit in November 2009 provided the

beginnings o such a body. Representatives o indigenous peoples discussed the

possibility o orming a ollow-up committee or better representation and consulta-



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tion with Rome-based UN bodies in the uture. FAO welcomes this proposal and, i

the body is established, will consider it a counterpart through which partnership and

dialogue can move orward.

B.2. Participation/inclusionGreater participation in development processes is a cornerstone o indigenous

peoples’ rights. For projects that involve or aect indigenous peoples, FAO will acili-

tate the inclusion o representatives o indigenous peoples in its consultations and

programming cycles, in accordance with the principle o “ree, prior and inormed

consent”. This commitment is also in accord with the reorm o the Committee on

World Food Security, whose composition has been expanded to “ensure that the

voices o all relevant stakeholders – particularly those most aected by ood insecu-

rity – are heard.” This includes “organizations representing smallholder amily arm-

ers, artisanal fsherolk, herders/pastoralists, landless, urban poor, agricultural and

ood workers, women, youth, consumers, Indigenous Peoples [emphasis added], and

International NGOs whose mandates and activities are concentrated in the areas o

concern to the Committee.”7 Such a signifcant restructuring o global governance is

a prime opportunity or indigenous peoples and those working to assist them.

Regular and eectively ormatted multistakeholder consultations with member

countries, research institutions, other UN agencies, private sector organizations

and civil society groups are a means to engage important development agents in

a respectul sharing o ideas and expertise. As a neutral orum, FAO must ensure

that indigenous peoples and other signifcant stakeholders are involved in such

dialogues so that they are not excluded rom development processes.

Increased participation o indigenous peoples in FAO committees, conerences

and regional conerences will aord them greater visibility in FAO technical work

and governance. One viable entry point or indigenous peoples’ representativesto participate in FAO-organized ora is through FAO’s internal civil society liaison,

which is responsible or organizing consultations with and accreditation o NGOs

and civil society organizations (CSOs). Another easible channel o engagement is

through the internal private sector cooperation group, whose responsibility is to

acilitate linkages between FAO and private partners, especially in relation to the

value-chain approach, the promotion o small and medium enterprises and the cre-

ation o income-generating opportunities, market linkages and air-trade networks.

7 FAO, Committee on World Food Security. 2009.Reform of the Committee on World Food Security. FAO, Rome,Italy. Available at: www.csa-be.org/IMG/doc_CFS_Reorm_Drat_plenary_17_10_09_inal_clean_REV_2_-2.doc.



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Specifc attention must also be paid to the participation o indigenous women in

such dialogue. In some regions, indigenous women suer multiple causes o dis-

crimination on the basis o gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status. However,

they are critical sources o valuable knowledge and inormation. Participation o

indigenous youth in the dialogue must also be promoted.

B.3. Standard-setting FAO contributes to the ormulation o international instruments that take into

account indigenous peoples’ rights. These instruments can be used by indigenous

peoples to lobby or their rights and needs. For example, the Right to Food Guide-

lines, adopted by the FAO Council in 2004, make policy recommendations to assist

stakeholders in implementing the right to ood at the national level; these recom-

mendations contain a number o reerences to indigenous peoples. The 2001

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources or Food and Agriculture (Interna-

tional Treaty) recognizes the contributions made by indigenous peoples and local

arming communities to the conservation and development o the plant genetic

resources that constitute the basis o ood and agricultural production throughout

the world. The International Treaty mandates national governments to promotethe rights o armers, including protection o their traditional knowledge, equitable

sharing o benefts and participation in the relevant decision-making processes.

C. Field programmeFAO’s feld programme ocuses on achieving conditions or ood and nutritional

security and poverty alleviation directly on the ground. To ensure eective feld

activities in member countries, FAO will support the ollowing activities.

C.1. Capacity development for indigenous peoplesSince indigenous peoples requently ace many obstacles and risks, it is crucial

to strengthen their capacities to deal with intense socio-economic, ecological and

cultural change. FAO assistance to government policies and programmes that pro-

vide direct support to indigenous peoples already exists and oers a good ounda-

tion or uture work. Some o these policies and programmes help strengthen indig-

enous peoples’ autonomous livelihood systems and sustainable production prac-

tices through measures that enhance their working capacity. For example, small

textile enterprises have been created that allow indigenous communities to raise

enough income to meet their daily needs. Other interventions help governments to

create institutional environments that enable disadvantaged groups to participate



19

in more lucrative and sustainable economic activities. Examples include identifca-

tion o, adding value to and preservation o specifc quality products linked to the

places and traditions o indigenous peoples, development o air-trade networks

linking small producers to local markets, support or cooperative production and

trade activities, and national legislation that strengthens individual and community

access to land and other productive resources.

C.2. Capacity development for FAO staff Capacity development within FAO must go hand in hand with awareness-raising

eorts and technical work in the feld. FAO sta need to develop practical skills to

understand, consider and integrate indigenous peoples’ issues into relevant poli-

cies and programmes. The UNDG Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues oer

one basis or improving such an engagement; they exist precisely to guide the inte-

gration o indigenous peoples’ issues into project cycles and strategies and should

thereore be applied more consistently by FAO sta. In addition, sta can use the

Resource Kit on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues and the Training Module on Indigenous

Peoples’ Issues developed by the UN and its partners.

Another necessary component o capacity development and awareness-raising

is the promotion o inter- and intracultural sensitivity. Development workers need

to be conscious o local dynamics and be prepared to tailor development inter-

ventions so as to avoid negative eects on the communities they aim to assist,

especially on non-mainstream groups such as indigenous peoples. This capacity is

absolutely necessary i interventions are to be consistent with indigenous peoples’

traditional norms and sociocultural preerences.

Dimensions o dialogue, negotiation skills, policy assistance, lobbying and con-

ict mediation are also extremely important.

D. Resource mobilization and increased coordinationFAO is not a unding institution, but it acts as a broker to ensure that develop-

ment unds are channelled in the right direction and used to improve the conditions

o those who need it. FAO’s prime responsibilities are thereore to mobilize techni-

cal competencies in partnership with donors and key stakeholders. To enhance

this process and make sure that development eorts are approached in a multi-

disciplinary and holistic manner, FAO will capitalize on established relations with

donors, partners in the feld and other international agencies.



20


D.1. Collaboration in resource mobilizationTo enhance avenues or working with indigenous peoples, FAO will take action

in the ollowing areas:

NGO–FAO programmes: promote programmes operated in partnership with

indigenous NGOs/CSOs in which FAO would provide technical assistance/

capacity-development components.

UN funding sources: review the interest o the UN system in unding coop-

eration with indigenous NGOs/CSOs.

FAO/government relations: explore possibilities or uture projects by includ-

ing discussions o indigenous peoples’ issues in meetings with donors.

Technical Cooperation Programme: provide technical assistance (with gov-

ernment endorsement) to strengthen indigenous NGOs/CSOs and involve

them where appropriate in implementing grassroots development activities.

TeleFood: use resources mobilized through the TeleFood campaign as a

source o co-unding or grassroots initiatives in indigenous communities.

D.2. Coordination and cooperation within the UN systemThere are a number o existing international bodies and mechanisms that rec-

ognize indigenous peoples as distinct collectivities with specifc rights and with

which FAO has an ongoing role. Increasing the authority and eectiveness o such

institutions will acilitate cross-agency relations and allow a more integrated ap-

proach to issues that must be tackled together. The IASG, or example, brings key

international players together to support the mandate o the Permanent Forum on

Indigenous Issues. Concretizing FAO’s own approach will strengthen its substan-

tive contribution to the IASG and thereby also strengthen the eectiveness o the

IASG within the UN system as a whole. This, in turn, will reinorce the institutional

processes through which indigenous peoples can engage more eectively in de-velopment eorts.

As part o the UN reorm process, the adoption o the UN Development Assis-

tance Framework (UNDAF) is also a substantial step orward in improving collabora-

tion among national governments, programmes and UN agencies including FAO.8

Pushing or greater consideration o indigenous peoples’ issues within UNDAF will

ensure a more integrated UN system response to an issue that international con-

sensus has deemed imperative.

8 UNDAF is a planning ramework geared towards strengthening the overall eiciency and productivit y o development interventions in speciic countries, consisting o common UN-wide objectives and strategies o

cooperation, a programme resources ramework and proposals or ollow-up, monitoring and evaluation.



21

D.3. Collaboration within FAOFAO’s interdepartmental working group on indigenous issues will be reinorced

so as to become an eective platorm to promote greater FAO engagement with

indigenous peoples. The working group consists o a network o ocal points rom

the Organization’s various technical divisions. Members exchange inormation and

support the ormulation o coherent and coordinated FAO positions on indigenous

peoples’ issues. At present, however, the working group operates only on an inor-mal basis. Formalizing the working group and its terms o reerence is necessary

to oster more resolute action and greater mainstreaming o indigenous peoples’

issues throughout the Organization.

At the same time, this work will beneft rom improved overall communication

within FAO headquarters and throughout the Organization. This can be done ini-

tially by creating working group ocal points in FAO’s regional and subregional o-

fces and enhancing their capacities to respond to indigenous peoples’ needs at

national, subregional, regional and international levels. In so doing, collaboration

with indigenous peoples itsel will concurrently be strengthened.

It is essential or FAO to promote better sta understanding o indigenous peo-

ples, to work more systematically with indigenous peoples and their organizations,

and – as a number o UN agencies and multilateral institutions have done – to im-

plement this cross-cutting policy that guides how the Organization’s normative and

operational programmes deal with indigenous peoples’ specifc characteristics,

needs and contributions. It is also necessary to ensure that indigenous peoples

are not negatively aected by possible indirect consequences o development e-

orts; unortunately such negative eects occur requently but with no less impact

on people’s livelihoods.

FAO will seek to make due eorts to allocate more resources to indigenous peo-

ples’ issues in the uture and will consider the possibility o establishing a more

coherent programme that can strengthen activities on indigenous peoples’ issues

and serve as a platorm or advocating greater engagement.

Given the high level o diversity among indigenous peoples, the present policy

provides a broad ramework and common direction or guiding the Organization’s

action in this area.



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ANNEX I INDIGENOUS PEOPLES:

THE INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK

Indigenous peoples have progressively brought their voices to crucial negotia-

tions and decision-making processes worldwide. As a result o decades o advo-

cacy, the international community has increasingly recognized the socio-economic

marginalization o indigenous groups, their systematic exclusion rom the benefts

o economic growth, and the deleterious impacts that global processes have oten

had on their cultures, identities and resources. In parallel, the importance o indig-

enous peoples’ unique contribution to social and economic development is alsogaining greater appreciation.

The ollowing are major milestones that have accompanied this progress to-

wards the ull realization o indigenous peoples’ rights and livelihood security. They

are to be regarded as the highest international standards, providing the legal basis

upon which this FAO policy and related work are built.



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Declarations

1992 Cancun Declaration –

International Conerence on

Responsible Fishing

Article 9 o the Cancun Declaration declares that “States

should take measures to ensure respect or the interests

o small-scale artisanal and indigenous fishers [emphasis

added].”

1993 Vienna Declaration and

Programme o Action – World

Conerence on Human Rights

This conerence took historic steps to promote and protect

the rights o requently marginalized groups, including

indigenous peoples, women and children. Through the

Vienna Declaration, the Conerence explicitly stressed the

“inherent dignity and the unique contribution o indigenous

people to the development and plurality o society and

strongly reafrms the commitment o the international

community to their economic, social and cultural well-

being and their enjoyment o the ruits o sustainable

development.” It also called or the establishment o a

Permanent Forum.

2002 Declaration o Atitlán The Declaration emphasizes the importance o indigenous

peoples’ rights to lands, natural resources and sel-

determination to their overall ood security and ood

sovereignty.

2007 UN Declaration o the Rights

o Indigenous Peoples

Ater 20 years o negotiation, the Declaration establishes

a vital standard or eliminating human rights violations

against indigenous peoples worldwide, or combating

discrimination and marginalization and or advocating the

protection o indigenous livelihoods. It emphasizes the

rights o indigenous peoples to pursue development in

keeping with their own needs and aspirations, including

the right to maintain and oster their own institutions,

cultures and traditions.

2009 Anchorage Declaration In Article 9 o the Declaration, UN agencies are urged

to address climate change impacts in their strategies

and action plans, especially with regard to indigenous

peoples. In particular, the declaration calls upon FAO and

other relevant UN bodies to establish a working group to

address the impacts o climate change on ood security

and ood sovereignty o indigenous peoples.



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International mechanisms specifically addressingindigenous peoples and their rights

Year Mechanism Description

1982 UN Commission on HumanRights’ Working Group on

Indigenous Populations, to

prepare an International

Convention on Indigenous

Peoples

Established as a subsidiary organ to the Sub-Commission on Prevention o Discrimination and

Protection o Minorities (now known as the Sub-

Commission on the Promotion and Protection

o Human Rights). Its purpose was to acilitate

dialogue, review developments pertaining to the

promotion and protection o human rights and

undamental reedoms o indigenous peoples and

give attention to the evolution o international

standards in this area.

1987 Cobo Report: Study of the

Problem of Discriminationagainst Indigenous Populations

Famous study ordered by the Sub-Commission

on Prevention o Discrimination and Protection o Minorities, prepared by Special Rapporteur José

Martínez Cobo. The report addressed a wide

range o human rights issues aecting indigenous

peoples, and was an important catalyst or UN

action relating to the protection o indigenous

peoples’ rights.

1995–2004 First International Decade

o the World’s Indigenous

Peoples

Proclaimed by the General Assembly in December

1993, its main objective was to strengthen

international cooperation to solve problems aced

by indigenous peoples in areas such as human

rights, the environment, development, educationand health.

2000 Establishment o the UN

Permanent Forum on

Indigenous Issues

Formally integrates indigenous peoples and

their representatives into the structure o the

UN. It placed state and non-state actors on an

equal ooting in a UN permanent representative

body or the frst time. Its mandate is to discuss

and provide recommendations on indigenous

peoples’ issues relating to economic and social

development, culture, the environment, education,

health and human rights.



27

2001 Appointment o the Special

Rapporteur on the situation o

human rights and undamental

reedoms o indigenous

people (Commission on

Human Rights)

Resulting rom a decision o the Human Rights

Council, in 2001 a Special Rapporteur on the

situation o human rights and undamental

reedoms o indigenous people was appointed.

2002 First annual meeting o

the Permanent Forum on

Indigenous Issues

The frst annual meeting took place at UN

Headquarters in New York City rom 13 to 24

May 2002. The frst meeting brought together

indigenous leaders and civil society rom all parts

o the world.

2005–2010 Second International Decade

o the World’s Indigenous

Peoples

The Second Decade aims to urther strengthen

international cooperation to solve problems aced

by indigenous peoples.

2006 Establishment o the Inter-

Agency Support Group on

Indigenous Issues

Established to support and promote the mandate

o the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

within the UN system. Its mandate was later

expanded to include support to mandates related

to issues o indigenous peoples throughout the

inter-governmental system.

2008 First session o the Expert

Mechanism on the Rights o

Indigenous Peoples

Composed o fve experts, the mechanism oers

thematic expertise on the rights o indigenous

peoples to the Human Rights Council.



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Documents guiding development practices with indigenous peoples

Year Document Description

2008 UNDG Guidelines on

Indigenous Peoples’ Issues

Prepared by the UN Development Group, the guidelines

provide inormation on the international human rightsramework that guides the UN’s work on indigenous

peoples’ issues. They also provide practical advice on

designing programmes with a special ocus on such

issues.

2008 Resource Kit on Indigenous

Peoples’ Issues

The Resource Kit provides UN Country Teams with

guidance on how to engage with indigenous peoples.

2009 UN-REDD Programme

Operational Guidance:

Engagement of Indigenous

Peoples and Other Forest

Dependent Communities

Developed to ensure that consideration or and

participation o local and indigenous peoples are

integrated into the work o the UN Collaborative

Programme on Reducing Emissions rom Deorestation

and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD), the Guidance is endorsed but considered a living

document always in the process o change.

Other important standard-setting instrumentsrecognizing the human rights of all people

Year Instrument Description

1948 Universal Declaration o Human Rights

Represents the frst global expression o rights to whichall human beings are entitled.

1963 UN Declaration on the

Elimination o All Forms o

Racial Discrimination

A human rights proclamation issued by the UN General

Assembly. The Declaration is an important precursor

to the legally binding International Convention on the

Elimination o All Forms o Racial Discrimination.

1965 International Convention on

the Elimination o All Forms o

Racial Discrimination

The Convention is a legally binding mechanism that

commits UN members to the elimination o racial

discrimination and promotion o understanding among all

races.



29

1966 International Covenant on

Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights

This Covenant commits its parties to work toward

the granting o economic, social and cultural rights to

individuals, including labour rights and rights to health,

education and an adequate standard o living.

1966 International Covenant on

Civil and Political Rights

Among other provisions, this Covenant advocates

protection against discrimination based on gender,religion, race or other characteristics.

1995 Code o Conduct or

Responsible Fisheries (FAO)

Among other provisions, this voluntary Code provides or

due recognition to the traditional practices, needs and

interests o indigenous people (Article 7.6.6).

2001 UNESCO Universal

Declaration on Cultural

Diversity

This UN Educational, Scientifc and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO) Declaration established universal rights to

cultural identity, diversity and pluralism.

2004 Voluntary Guidelines to

Support the Progressive

Realization o the Right toAdequate Food in the Context

o National Food Security

(FAO)

These guidelines provide practical guidance to countries

or the implementation o the right to ood.

2004 International Treaty on Plant

Genetic Resources or Food

and Agriculture

Article 5 requires parties to promote an integrated

approach to the exploration, conservation and sustainable

use o plant genetic resources or ood and agriculture.

In particular, it calls on Parties to “promote or support,

as appropriate, armers and local communities’ eorts

to manage and conserve on-arm their plant genetic

resources or ood and agriculture” [Article 5(c)] and to

“promote in situ conservation o wild crop relatives andwild plants or ood production, including in protected

areas, by supporting, inter alia, the eorts o indigenous

and local communities” [Article 5(d)]

2007 Global Plan o Action or

Animal Genetic Resources

Strategic priority 6 calls on the international community

to “support indigenous and local production systems

and associated knowledge systems o importance to

the maintenance and sustainable use o animal genetic

resources.”



30


ANNEX II FAO’S NEW STRATEGIC

FRAMEWORK 2010–2019

How indigenous peoples’ issues fit into FAO’s overall workplan

In 2008, the FAO Conerence approved the development o a new Strategic

Framework and Medium-Term Plan. These identiy key strategic objectives that re -

ect FAO’s vision and represent the primary development impacts sought through

the Organization’s work. Indigenous peoples’ issues are relevant to the achieve-

ment o a number o targets, making collaboration between FAO and indigenous

peoples easible and advisable.

Strategic Objective A is to provide an adequate supply o quality ood through

sustainable crop production and better management o plant genetic resources.

Particularly relevant or indigenous peoples is the International Treaty on Plant Ge-

netic Resources or Food and Agriculture, which calls or increased support o local

and indigenous communities.

Strategic Objective B ocuses on sustainable livestock production. Through theGlobal Plan o Action or Animal Genetic Resources, it calls or eorts to support

the contributions o indigenous and local communities to animal genetic diversity.

Strategic Objective C concerns sustainable management and use o fsheries

and aquaculture resources, including the application o human rights instruments.

Among other things, it supports small-scale fshers, including indigenous fshing

communities, in their fght against poverty, natural resource depletion, climate

change, price volatility and other threats.

Strategic Objective D ocuses on ood biodiversity and sustainable diets. It

pursues capacity development or improved saety and quality o ood, with greaterconsideration or the health and nutritional benefts o local/traditional ood sys-

tems, including those o indigenous peoples.

Strategic Objective E is to promote sustainable management o orests and

trees through an approach that interlinks the social, economic and environmental

aspects o orestry. A renewed emphasis has been placed on improving involve-

ment o local stakeholders, including indigenous orest-dwelling communities.

Strategic Objective F concerns sustainable natural resource management and,

among other things, calls or more equitable access to and secure tenure o land,



31

water and other resources by vulnerable constituencies such as women, indig-

enous peoples and youth.

Strategic Objective G acilitates the creation o enabling environments or mar-

kets to improve livelihoods and rural development. Since poor access to markets,

fnancial resources and stable employment is a major constraint aced by indig-

enous peoples, developing capacities in this area is key to longer-term security.

Strategic Objective H states that improved ood security and nutrition may ben-

eft rom a greater utilization o locally-specifc knowledge, tools and resources,

including traditional and local knowledge.

Strategic Objective I emphasizes the need to improve the response capacities

and emergency preparedness o poor people in rural areas who are particularly

vulnerable to threats and crises aecting agricultural and other natural resources.

Strategic Objective K promotes socially inclusive policies, capacities, institu-

tions and programmes. It stresses the need to fll critical gaps in gender and equityissues, and to redress social imbalances that have avoured certain groups over

others.

Finally, the new Strategic Framework also puts renewed emphasis on working

through strong partnerships and alliances (Core Function H), including CSOs and

NGOs with pertinent best knowledge and capacities.

FAO’s new Strategic Framework thus presents an excellent opportunity to e-

ectively integrate indigenous peoples’ issues within FAO’s new projected work

plan; the Strategic Objectives are to be utilized as the groundwork or establishing

a more concerted relationship. Many o the issues that have been highlighted as

easible points o engagement have already been addressed in FAO projects and

programmes. It is important to stress that the Organization has worked success-

ully with indigenous peoples in the past, demonstrating that such engagement is

an existing reality and that an improved relationship is a viable prospect. At the

same time, FAO’s practical engagement with indigenous communities will beneft

signifcantly rom increased institutional support and rom the existence o a policy

ramework to guide action in this area. This policy will thereore help strengthen

and expand such eorts or the beneft o indigenous peoples, FAO and sustain-

able development activities overall.



32


ANNEX III

PRIORITY AREAS OF WORK

Indigenous peoples and FAO share an interest in a number o specifc themes

within ood and agriculture. Outlined below, these themes correspond to FAO’s core

programme areas and are derived rom activities that already exist; as such, they

oer the most easible platorms or collaborative action. The areas are strongly in-

terrelated and thus should be addressed in a holistic and multidisciplinary manner.

Natural resources, environment and genetic resourcesBecause many indigenous peoples seek to live in symbiosis with the environ-

ment and are highly dependent on natural resources or their livelihoods, they have

developed specialized knowledge about nature’s resources and diversity, both on

land and in the water. However, eorts to achieve ood security and sustainable

development are being compromised by continuing environmental degradation and

the erosion o traditional skills.

Strengthening agriculture, orestry and fsheries practices – at both national and

community levels – is thereore imperative or the sound unctioning and sustain-

ability o the world’s ecosystems. Issues o right to access to and use o natural

resources, as well as their quality and conservation, are central to such an eort.

Climate change and bioenergyIndigenous peoples’ lands and territories are particularly vulnerable to climate

change, primarily because o the ragility o the ecosystems in which many live and

upon which they depend. On the other hand, the ability o indigenous peoples to

survive in such environments can provide valuable inormation as to how to adapt to

uture climate scenarios, and their in-depth knowledge o specifc indigenous spe-

cies could enrich the world’s knowledge base on how to respond to climate change.

Ultimately, the long-term eects o climate change, including the accelerated loss

and deterioration o natural resources, biodiversity and associated ood systems,

must be mitigated i indigenous and other rural communities are to withstand suchpressures and survive.

Bioenergy has the potential to contribute to climate change mitigation, but also

to energy security and to agricultural and rural development more generally. Much

o this depends, however, on the type o eedstock, production system and insti-

tutional arrangements that are used. FAO pursues bioenergy development through

sustainable small-scale livelihood-oriented bioenergy initiatives, which can provide

improved access to sustainable and aordable energy services, enhance live-

lihoods or rural people and increase their resilience to the eects o climate

change, without negative impact on ood production and the environment.



33

Land and territoriesRights over land, territory and related natural resources are o undamental im-

portance to many indigenous peoples since these resources constitute the basis

o their economic livelihoods and the source o their spiritual, cultural and social

identities. FAO’s work in this area is thereore particularly valuable. When built

through participatory methods, land titling and demarcation processes, tenure se-

curity, agrarian reorm and similar eorts can contribute greatly to creating a moresecure and legally-defned property environment. For indigenous peoples, obtain-

ing clear and inalienable rights over land and natural resources would support

their aspirations or greater sovereignty, aord a greater sense o well-being and

improve their ability to meet their livelihood needs.

Food security, nutrition and the right to foodScientifc fndings show that indigenous peoples ace a higher risk o ood inse-

curity and malnutrition than other groups because they suer rom high poverty lev-

els, decreased resource availability and growing dependence on highly processed

but cheaper oods. Eorts to ensure ood security and adequate nutrition are

necessary to address this problem. During the World Food Summit in November2009, FAO member states committed themselves to “actively encourage the con-

sumption o oods, particularly those available locally, that contribute to diversifed

and balanced diets, as the best means o addressing micronutrient defciencies

and other orms o malnutrition, especially among vulnerable groups.” Indigenous

peoples have a key role to play in the promotion o sustainable diets and resilient

ood systems.

At the same time, indigenous peoples’ ‘ood sovereignty’ is being jeopardized

by the erosion o traditional ood systems. For indigenous peoples, ‘ood security’

also denotes the right to choose the kinds o oods they wish to eat and to pre-

pare them in accordance with traditional methods. Sustainable diets utilizing localoods conserve both ecosystems and the traditions o indigenous peoples. The

right to ood is thereore closely linked with the ulflment o cultural rights and the

two should be pursued jointly.

Communication and knowledge systemsKnowledge and inormation are undamental in supporting livelihood security

and rural development. Communication initiatives are increasingly recognized as

an eective means to promote capacity development, empowerment and social

change, and FAO has been active in this area or numerous decades.



34


Communication initiatives also oster the blending between local/indigenous

knowledge and ‘technical’ inormation or development. Indeed, recognition o the

resourceulness o traditional agricultural knowledge systems and their comple-

mentarity with ‘scientifc’ innovation systems is a growing area o interest today.

Cultural and biological diversityThe loss o uture options or ood security is not only a problem o conservation

o species, resources or ecological systems, but is also associated with the de-

cline o traditional agricultural practices, cultural systems and languages. Indeed,

rural populations such as indigenous peoples have historically been the origina-

tors o livelihood systems that are built on an intricate awareness o the local

environment and that maniest impressive levels o sustainability. The inextricable

relationship between cultural and biological diversity must thereore be respected,

cultivated and promoted, and the rights o indigenous peoples over their traditional

knowledge and practices must be recognized and, when necessary, protected. En-

suring the dynamic conservation and promotion o traditional agricultural heritage

systems is a central component o FAO’s eorts in this regard.

Economic opportunity for sustainable livelihoodsMany o the problems aced by indigenous peoples stem rom being marginal-

ized rom economic, social, cultural and political processes. Providing access to

markets, fnancial resources and stable sources o production remains a major

challenge to the alleviation o poverty and ood insecurity. FAO supports eorts

to create enabling environments or sustainable and autonomous living through

activities such as entrepreneurial training and institutional capacity development.

Objectives include the generation o greater income, the diversifcation o liveli-

hood options and the creation o more equitable and accessible opportunities or

making a living.



Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Viale delle Terme di Caracalla - 00153 Rome, Italy

Tel. +39 0657051www.fao.org



37




I 1 8 5 7 E / 1 / 1 0 . 1

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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Viale delle Terme di Caracalla - 00153 Rome, Italy