Virtual Side-event HLPF 2022: Indigenous Peoples’ rights and the urgent need for technology to work for democracy

Written on 30 June 2022. Posted in News

Offical Virtual Side-Event for HLPF 2022 Time / Date 7:30 AM NY / 13:30 Copenhagen: Thursday 7/July 2022

In the context of the High Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (HLPF).

The 2022 HLPF will hold in-depth reviews of five SDGs:

The HLPF is the main UN platform on sustainable development. It has a central role in the follow-up and review of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All UN Member States as well as representatives from civil society organizations participate in the HLPF, which meets under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Background:

The world continues to lack the full picture of the marginalisation and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, due to a dearth of disaggregated data and a critical gap in terms of tools and resources to engage comprehensively and securely. As the human rights-based approach to development has shown, if there is no disaggregated data on Indigenous Peoples, and no effort to ensure they are included in digital transformations, they will remain invisible, their rights will continue to be disregarded in the context of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and they will be left behind.

To advance in the work toward the full implementation of the SDG framework, and in particular when monitoring the five SDGs to be considered in the HLPF 2022, Indigenous Peoples are engaged in a number of critical initiatives to use and develop technology to enhance and empower them to claim their rights and to document their situation.

Technology has a crucial role to play, from enabling documentation and advocacy, to empowering the amplification of Indigenous Peoples’ own self-determined campaigns. Further, technology has been a key tool and platform for Indigenous Peoples to engage and communicate as the world seeks to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, it also comes with risks. In the rehabilitation of the national economies after COVID-19, there is a tendency to an increase in aggressive land-grabbing in Indigenous Peoples’ territories, and the signing of concessions for extractive industries without their free, prior and informed consent. In the absence of official data, there is an urgent need to sustain efforts to enhance data and knowledge, particularly through community-based monitoring, as well as evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogues to illustrate the added value of development strategies that respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and aspirations based on international standards.

In order to secure Indigenous Peoples rights, ensure that they are not left behind, and that their voices and demands are heard, we must make technology work for democracy and human rights, not against them.

Objectives of the side event:

This virtual side-event offers a platform for Indigenous Peoples to share their challenges, perspectives, and aspirations regarding technology’s role in promoting a more just, equitable and  peaceful global society. Technology must act to ensure democratic societies which fully respect Indigenous Peoples rights. Further, it highlights the critical role of Indigenous Peoples own community-based data collection and a selection of relevant technological initiatives they are leading.

Tags: Global governance