Signs that indigenous land rights are key for sustainable development

Written on 18 April 2018. Posted in News

2017 can be read as the beginning of an era that offers substantial opportunities for the world to change its relationship with indigenous communities, their ancestral land, and identities.

Indigenous peoples’ resilience while protecting their lands is remarkable.

They are one of the main forces inspiring change for a more sustainable development and here are some of the main points found in The Indigenous World 2018.

• Indigenous protests and demands are one of the main forces pushing for environmental human rights protections. Their historical demands are finding their way to make possible new laws to better protect environmental defenders.
• Indigenous peoples are showing alternative ways to relate to land through autonomous governments in Peru and Bolivia. These experiences of self-determination are inspiring communities to implement control over their lands.
• Indigenous participation in the climate talks has been remarkable in 2017, achieving a Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform to express their concerns and rights in climate initiatives. All in all, their lobby work has achieved more platforms for dialogue with indigenous communities.
• The increase in land conflicts is taking place as the world forges ahead with the common framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). Within this framework, indigenous leaders have highlighted over and over again that, for them, land is not merely an economic resource but a vital element of their survival as peoples.

Read about the top 10 achievements for indigenous peoples in The Indigenous World 2018 here >>

Read and download The Indigenous World here >>

Tags: Land rights