As part of the Identity, Conflict and Cohesion programme, UNRISD is holding a series of seminars entitled “Identity, Power and Rights of the Indigenous Peoples”. UNRISD researchers are organizing these seminars at various venues around the globe in order to secure feedback on the results of their research on this project.
The discussion at the seminars will focus on the disparities of power evident in interactions between governments, international institutions, and indigenous communities and their resulting impact on policy making. Key topics include ways in which to create inclusive consultative platforms in order to engage indigenous peoples in policy decisions, which affect them, and the reorganization of institutions to respect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples, while not negating the rights of the rest of the population. International organizations, government representatives, academics, NGOs, indigenous peoples’ communities, and the general public will be participating in this discussion.
The first of these events took place in Bolivia (August 2007), the second in the Philippines (February 2008), and the upcoming meetings in March 2008 will be held in Lima and Cusco, Peru (March 10 and 12). These two seminars will take place at the Centro Cultural of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú in Lima, on 10 March, at 5:30 pm and at the Casa de Fray Bartolomé in Cusco, on March 12, at 5:30 pm. UNRISD Research Coordinator, Terence Gomez, will lead the proceedings and presentations alongside Patricia Urteaga-Crovetto from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru and Thomas Perreault of Syracuse University, USA. While Gomez will give a general overview over the project, Perreault will present the results of his case study research on Bolivia and Urteaga-Crovetto will discuss her research on Peru.
UNRISD seeks to procure feedback and insight from the people affected by the issues addressed in our research. The purpose of these worldwide seminars is to better understand the power relations in situations affecting indigenous peoples, and to engage all actors and stakeholders in identifying a more equitable form of decision-making.
Future events in this seminar series will be held in Nigeria and New Zealand in April 2008.