Interactive Discussion

From Allison Pecenka on Policy Advocacy

(In reference to Chapter 31 of the Science Panel for the Amazon report)

Multiple strategies were stated in chapter 31 to achieve the goal of strengthening land and natural resource governance/ management over protected areas, Indigenous lands and local communities’ territories. One of the first key strategies addressed was an increase in the respect given to the territorial rights of indigenous/traditional communities, which form the basis for conservation-friendly livelihoods and creative alternatives to be successful in these regions. Conservation advocates can place forward momentum on this strategy by increasing the inclusion and representation of indigenous/traditional stories and values in mainstream media outlets. This will hopefully advance the general public’s understanding of their cultures and values and inspire more individuals to advocate for Indigenous/ traditional ownership over these lands to hold strong. One potential, more specific action to be taken by conservation advocates would be to extend invitations for direct collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders to discuss exactly how they would prefer these narratives to be presented. Through meetings, discussions, interviews and media production, their words could be chosen carefully and individual contributors could maintain full ownership over their stories. I feel that Indigenous/ traditional stakeholders appearing themselves in the final media outputs whether it be through audio, video or written word would allow a deeper connection to be made with audiences while ensuring that ownership of narratives will be kept to those providing them.

The next strategy addressed is the strengthening of legislation and institutional procedures that protect Indigenous and traditional peoples’ and communities’ land and water rights by use of regulatory frameworks, along with surveillance and law enforcement. This strategy is stated as critical for achieving positive outcomes related to both social justice and environmental conservation. In areas where governments are willing and able to champion the rights of Indigenous/ traditional communities, legislation could be strengthened through targeted policy-making and written clauses to protect these rights. Conservation advocates could assist in this process by producing informational documents on potential political appointees and how greatly they value the protection of these lands to aid in voting processes, depending on the style of governance. In regards to institutional procedures such as surveillance and law enforcement to protect these rights, conservation advocates could fill in gaps for areas where governance may be weak or corrupt. One potential idea would be to create a “hotline” of sorts, either through phone calls or internet where injustices could be reported to a nonpartisan, international coalition. These statements would regard infringements on the rights of Indigenous/ traditional communities and prompt investigations in areas where there may be no safe or productive means of reporting such occurrences otherwise. While international partners would have no direct means of stopping these infringements, they could publicize the injustices and prompt global social movements to defend these communities.

Another strategy addressed was the incorporation of conservation & sustainable management objectives, as related to Indigenous/ traditional communities, into investment plans and sectoral legislation. This plan could be advanced by conservation advocates investing in bio-economy-related infrastructure in order to accelerate the process of such investments becoming productive and creating profits. Another way that “everyday environmentalists”, or people unaffiliated with any true form of conservation agency could get involved is through legal manipulation of stock markets. Individual, small-scale investments into targeted start-ups/ industries could help facilitate growth in clean energy creation, bio tourism, etc. When compounded on a large scale, these investments could have the potential to create structural shifts in the market and promote bioeconomic ventures while suppressing industries damaging to these communities. By investing in operations owned by Indigenous or traditional communities, sustainable management over their affairs would be ensured for generations to come. In regard to incorporating sustainable management objectives to sectoral legislation, conservation advocates could promote partnerships between Indigenous/ traditional communities and nonprofits offering legal aid to permanently establish these objectives in writing with all proper legal terminology.

A final strategy mentioned was the progressive creation of capillary financial models that enable autonomous and local management of territories and resources with the effective participation of the Amazonian peoples/ communities. An effective capillary model should have, as much as possible, all value created in the economy re-absorbed into the local community rather than outsourced. This would mean that value generation would remain within the hands of Indigenous/ traditional communities instead of going to surrounding, urban areas. A circular economic model providing for all needs in these communities would eliminate outside dealings with urban providers of food, energy, etc. and ensure autonomy and local management of resources. Conservation advocates could aid in this process through the introduction of economic and energy consulting services to these communities to aid in the design of high-functioning, circular systems. Advocates could also continue to contend the creation of any infrastructure on Indigenous/ traditional lands that do not directly benefit such communities and/ or offer profit margins to them.