The EU Instrument and Policies on Indigenous Peoples

Transcription

1 The EU Instrument and Policies on Project Proposal Writing Workshop for Groups and Partners August 2009, Baguio City August 2009, Cagayan de Oro City August 2009, Davao City The European Union: Human Rights and the Fight Against Discrimination The European Union (EU) is committed to promoting human rights, democratization and development. The fights against racism and discrimination lies at the heart of the commitment. 1

2 Protecting and Promoting the Rights of European Commission Working Document on support for indigenous peoples in development cooperation (May 1998) European Council Resolution (November 1998) and Council Conclusions (2002) on The European Consensus (2005) E.U. and U.N. Protecting and Promoting the Rights of European Commission Working Document on Support for Indigenous Peoples in Development Cooperation (1998) - identification of indigenous peoples in local and regional contexts; - drawing up of socio-cultural profiles of groups involved; - identification and use of culturally appropriate means of communication; 2

3 European Commission Working Document on Support for in Development Cooperation - establishment of consultation procedures appropriate to the indigenous notion of time and decision-making; - identification of indigenous peoples own priorities for the development process; - identification of relevant partners and assessment of their capacities, representativeness and link to social processes; European Commission Working Document on Support for Indigenous Peoples in Development Cooperation - free and informed consent from all communities involved; - possibilities for long-term, small-scale involvement (process orientation); - high flexibility in budgets and activityplans; - research and pilot-projects to fine-tune development proposals 3

4 Priority Areas for Supporting - assistance in national efforts of recognising and reflecting indigenous peoples rights and needs in legislation and institutions; - training and education as a means to maintain and develop indigenous knowledge and practices; - capacity-building (negotiation; administrative; financial and technical capacity); - development of long-term economic strategies based on sustainable land-use and management of natural resources; and - participation in international negotiations, networking and exchange of experiences among indigenous peoples European Council Resolution (1998) on Main Guidelines for Support to - the importance for self-development ; - the need to ensure the effective participation of indigenous peoples at all stages of the project cycle, notably to enhance their right and capacity to achieve self-development and to permit their free and prior informed consent; - the recognition of the key role played by indigenous peoples notably in the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources; - recognition of their vulnerability because of discrimination and the risk that development programmes may disadvantage them; - acknowledgement that cooperation with indigenous peoples is considered essential for the objectives of poverty elimination, sustainable development of natural resources, the observance of human rights and the development of democracy; and - indigenous cultures constitute a heritage of diverse knowledge and ideas, which is a potential resource to the entire planet 4

5 European Council Conclusions (2002) Concrete actions: - training of EC personnel, especially in Delegations; - include an analysis of the political, social, economic and cultural situation of indigenous peoples in Country Strategy Papers (CSPs); - political dialogue; intercultural dialogue; - mainstream indigenous peoples issues at all stages of the project cycle; and - reporting on progress The European Consensus (2005) - strengthened approach to mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues, including indigenous peoples; - recognised that the key principle for safeguarding indigenous peoples rights in development cooperation is to ensure their full participation and their free and prior informed consent of any actions or policies that affect their communities; - intensified dialogue with partner countries; and - promotion of the mainstreaming of indigenous peoples in national policies and poverty reduction strategies 5

6 E. U. and U. N. The EU took an active part on promoting the issue of indigenous peoples at the United Nations. Due to the Resolution tabled by Denmark and supported by the EU Member States in 2000, a Permanent Forum (UN PFII) was created. In September 2007, the EU supported the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, manifesting its commitment and attention to the problem. 6