This note aims to provide you with information about activities focusing on the role and contribution of Indigenous People to sustainable development during the eighth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) which will take place 24 April- 5 May 2000, in New York. The “Day of Indigenous People” is not a particular day but consists of special events taking place during the two week meeting of the CSD.

Wednesday 26 April 7.15 - 9.00 pm, Conference Room 1
(Coinciding with the High Level Segment)

The panel focused on  exploring the links between Indigenous People, trade and land rights. Questions addressed the TRIPs review, local food security and food production and their impact on Indigenous People rights and ability to save and reuse seeds and benefit from their knowledge.

Ms. Vicky Tauli Corpus, Asian Indigenous Women’s Network (the Philippines) moderated this Panel. Speakers were drawn from New Zealand, the Saami Council, the Masai people, the Amazonian Region, Guatemala, Russian Federation and  addressed issues such as TRIPs/APEC, fisheries management and allocation, agriculture and food security, regional trade (Mercosur and Andean pact), oil and gas development, and forests.

Presentations by:
Tonya Gonnella Frichner, Citizen of Onondaga Nation, Snipe Clan
President American Indian Law Alliance

Tomas Alarcon (CAPAJ) on the Impact of Globalisation on Indigenous People

Ella Henry, University of Auckland, on International Trade – APEC and Maori Development

Antonio Jacanamijoy (COICA)

Summary Panel I

Monday 1^st May 6.15 - 7.45, Conference Room 1

The  panel focused on participatory mechanisms that include Indigenous People in the making of sustainable development policies, by taking stock of achievements and obstacles encountered by indigenous people in their work for sustainable development. The panel presented lessons learned from innovative participatory processes and explored how these lessons make indigenous peoples’ participation in sustainable development more effective. Specific questions addressed included: how does governance relate to successful participatory models? How does participation affect land rights? How does participation work at the international level and how does it affect the intergovernmental processes? How can the work of the CSD benefit form these consultative mechanisms?

Ms. Carol Kalafatic, International Indian Treaty Council (US) moderateed this Panel. Speakers  were drawn from the Arctic Council, Nigeria, the Philippines, Costa Rica, OAS, the Amerindian Peoples Association, and addressed regional experiences, the International/intergovernmental processes, the National Councils for Sustainable Development experiences.

Tuesday 2 May at 1.15 - 2.45 pm, Conference Room 1

The panel focused  on questions such as: What is the link with Article 8j of the Convention on Biodiversity?^1/ Why is traditional knowledge important for sustainable development? Who are the decision makers and which are the conditions posed? What is the link between Indigenous People land rights and traditional knowledge? What is the relationship between traditional knowledge/ Intellectual property rights and TRIPs? How do Traditional knowledge and Multifunctionality of Traditional Agriculture relate?

Mr. Alejandro Argumedo, Indigenous Peoples’ Biodiversity Network (Peru) moderated this Panel. Speakers were drawn form Kenya, Ecuador, Thailand, Great Lakes Region, Nepal

During the three Panels, speakers made 7 to 10 minutes presentations, leaving time for Question and Answer from the audience.

(The Learning Centre is a room made available throughout the CSD Session to promote sustainable development education by a range of actors including young people and students, NGOs, educators and governments).

A dedicated area within the Learning Centre  was allocated to material submitted by Indigenous People organizations, for display and/or distribution. Materials included: Videos, books, studies, brochures, newsletters and other materials that can help educate CSD participants about indigenous people and their views, contributions, concerns, proposals and perspectives on sustainable development. The videos were screened during a daily "Video Hour".

The Day of Indigenous People at CSD8 was organized through a Steering Group composed of representatives of indigenous peoples’ network organizations as well as representatives of UNCHR-NY and CSD Secretariat.

International Indian Treaty Council, Ms. Carol Kalafatic
Email: iitcak@ak.net Tel: (212) 682 3633

International Indigenous Biodiversity Network, Mr. Alejandro Argumedo
Email: ipbn@web.net Tel: (+51) 84 - 245 021

International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests, Mr. Max Ooft
Email: ooftmax@cq-link.sr or ooftmax@sr.net Tel./ Fax (+597) 499 139

Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Mr. Terry Fenge
Email: tuktu@magi.com or iccenv2@istar.ca Tel. (613) 563 2642

Asian Indigenous Women’s Network, Ms. Vicky Tauli-Corpuz
Email: vco@skyinet.net Tel. (63) 74- 442 5347

UNCHR-NY Liaison Office
 
CSD Secretariat
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(1)  Article 8j: "Subject to its national legislation, respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holders of such knowledge, innovations and practices and encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge, innovations and practices".)

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