Side Event

Space to Place New Steps of Change: An Analysis of International, Regional, and National Laws Essential to Securing Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' Territories and Areas

Organizer
Natural Justice: Lawyers for Communities and the Environment; Kalpavriksh; ICCA Consortium; Global Forest Coalition

Date and Time
9 October 2012 13:15 - 14:45

Meeting
Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 11)

On behalf of the ICCA Consortium, Natural Justice and Kalpavriksh are undertaking an international legal analysis and a range of national legal reviews of laws that support or hinder conservation efforts by Indigenous peoples and local communities in their territories and areas. The national reviews include the following countries: Canada, Suriname, Bolivia, Chile, Panama, Namibia, Kenya, Senegal, India, The Philippines, Iran, Malaysia (Sabah), Taiwan, Australia, and Fiji. This side event will explore the implicit relationship between laws and the integrity of biocultural diversity and the overall functioning of socio-ecological systems. It will illustrate how international and national legal systems have a direct impact on community governance and management of territories, lands and resources. With reference to a number of case studies, this event will also illustrate how Indigenous peoples and local communities are actively engaging with key legal frameworks to secure their territories and areas and contribute to conservation efforts.