| Ifugao News and Current Affairs For the Month of October 2010[Mixed Publications] | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sat 09 Oct 2010 23:45:43 (219 Views) | |
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Sat 09 Oct 2010 23:45:43 Post #1 |
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Ifugao solon keynotes UNDP IP rights forum in Thailand by Vency D. Bulayungan page / PIA Source: http://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/ifugao.asp?mode=archives/2010/october/10-3-2010/ifug1.txt LAGAWE, Ifugao – Congressman Teddy Baguilat Jr. of the Lone District of Ifugao batted for the continuing discussions on the issues and successes of indigenous peoples in international forums and translate these into action. Baguliat was the keynote speaker du-ring the Stakeholder Consultation of the UNDP Regional Initiative on Indigenous People’s Rights and Development (UNDP RIPP) in Chiang Mai, Thailand last Sept. 15 – 18. This regional consultation brought together representatives from the governments, UNDP country offices, other agencies, civil society organizations, and indigenous peoples’ organizations (IPO). It also provided a neutral and enabling framework for all the participants of the consultation to share and learn from each other and together identify priorities for joint cooperation as well as emerging regional trends and issues. “It is a great honor to address this assembly of advocates for the promotion of indigenous peoples’ rights and welfare across the Asia-Pacific region,” Baguilat said. As reported by the International Labor Organization, indigenous and tribal people make up at least 5,000 distinct peoples with a population of more than 370 million, spread across 70 different countries, the concerns of indigenous peoples take on an immense magnitude, and rightfully becomes a concern for all governments who want to properly serve all their constituents. Baguilat said that it is disheartening that the efforts of indigenous communities at conserving the ecosystems through the ages are overlooked and even branded as backward and counterproductive, when in fact there are studies that indicate tribal methods of resource management often yield better results than modern laws. “Throughout history, conflicts with indigenous peoples can often be traced to the encroachment on ancestral land,” he said. The lives of indigenous peoples are inextricably linked with the land they occupy. The bond goes beyond physical or commercial, and extends to the cultural and spiritual, so much so that a tribe separated from its land will weaken, lose its center, and eventually die out, figuratively and literally,” he added. Baguilat said he has also initiated consultations with various IPOs and NGO support groups towards the formulation of a common IP agenda for the Aquino administration. “At the regional and international level, to generate more support, initiatives for the recognition of rights over customary lands should be linked to other advocacies such as the environment and human rights. International covenants, agreements, and treaties should be utilized to pressure governments to fully implement a harmonized body of laws,” he said. This could include the UN declaration on Indigenous Peoples Rights, Durban Accord, Convention on Biodiversity and other international agreements, he added. Baguilat said the challenge for IP advocates can be summed up as how to achieve harmony among seemingly competing interests that must all be served. “There has always been the perception that indigenous laws are irreconcilable with national laws,” he said. “I believe we can build harmony between customs and laws, among various bodies of legal principles, and ultimately among all of humanity. The solution, it seems, is not so complicated at all, but has been inside all of us all along. In fact, this forum, by its evaluation of current concerns across the region, is already paving the way towards international harmony,” Baguilat said. |
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