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About “Indigenous peoples and their communities and other local communities have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development.” Principle 22 of the Rio Declaration Since its establishment in 1972 and in pursuance of its mandate, UNEP has been promoting a dialogue among nations on environment-related issues through its regular activities. The 2000 Malmö Declaration stresses that success in combating environmental degradation is dependent on the full participation of all actors in society, an aware and educated population, respect for ethical and spiritual values and cultural diversity, and protection of indigenous knowledge. The United Nations Millennium Declaration emphasized, “Differences within and between societies should be neither feared nor repressed, but cherished as a precious asset of humanity. A culture of peace and dialogue among all civilizations should be actively promoted." According to Agenda 21, indigenous peoples and their communities “have developed over many generations a holistic traditional scientific knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment. (…) In view of the interrelationship between the natural environment and its sustainable development and the cultural, social, economic and physical well-being of indigenous peoples, national and international efforts to implement environmentally sound and sustainable development should recognize, accommodate, promote and strengthen the role of indigenous peoples and their communities” UNEP's work with indigenous peoples and their local communities is part of its efforts to engage Major Groups and Stakeholders in environmental conservation and the activities of the organization. In this context, the indigenous peoples Unit of UNEP has the following tasks:
a) Linkages between environment, indigenous issues and cultural diversity Environmental conservation is today much more complex than it was some decades ago. Many people then perceived conservation as protection of nature from human activities. Today we know that human activities are part of ecosystems, and many ecosystems and species are also dependent on human involvement. Natural resources have been the foundation of peoples’ lives, their society and civilizations. Various forms of cultures and institutions in human society – political, religious, social and economic – have been built upon services provided by a unique natural environment and its natural resources. Throughout history, the interaction between people and their environment has given rise to different cultural patterns, depending on the particularities of their territory and resources. Cultural diversity is the expression of multiple forms of adaptation, characterized by history, ethnic origin, language, spirituality, knowledge, technology, creativity, artistic expression and ethical values, which together form the common patrimony of humanity. Of the 350 million indigenous peoples in the world, half live in tropical rain forests, which are known to harbor 80 per cent of our planet's biological diversity. Of the 12 mega-centers for biological diversity, 10 can be found among the 25 countries containing the largest number of endemic languages. Cultural and biological diversity are inextricably interrelated. Read more about this interrelation in the UNEP report “Environment and Cultural Diversity”, presented to the 23rd session of the Governing Council in 2005. It provides not only an introduction to the linkages between environment and cultural diversity, as well as an overview of the current status of indigenous peoples in several environmental related legal frameworks, but also gives suggestions for potential future projects and activities aiming to protect the cultural and biological diversity of our world. b) Participation of indigenous peoples in UNEP’s Policy Process UNEP has actively supported the participation of major groups actors in international environmental governance for several years, especially in decision-making processes at the intergovernmental level. To this effect, UNEP has encouraged major groups organizations, including indigenous peoples’ organizations, to seek accreditation to the UNEP Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF). Accredited organizations are continuously provided with information of our work, they have the opportunity to comment on draft papers being considered by the governments, they can participate as observers and make oral statements to the GC/GMEF . In addition, every year, the Major Groups and Stakeholders Branch organises the Global Civil Society Forum (GCSF). The GCSF, which is held prior to the GC/GMEF, is the main entry point for civil society organizations to the GC/GMEF. c) Collect and disseminate information about UNEP’s work with regard to indigenous peoples The Indigenous Peoples Unit is responsible for collecting relevant information about UNEP’s activities in relation to indigenous peoples, and for developing reports and inputs to conferences, forums and workshops. In this context, the Indigenous Peoples Unit regularly reports to the UNPFII . The Indigenous Peoples Unit also provides information to other branches, divisions and units within UNEP about issues related to indigenous peoples. |
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