Free and Prior Informed Consent

UNESCO estimates there are around 400 million Indigenous Peoples (IP’s), or five percent of the total world population, spread over 90 countries. They have been present for thousands of years preserving their language, traditions, culture and livelihoods, generally surviving by living in isolated and remote areas. IP’s face critical challenges for their survival and the preservation of their cultures. In the Philippines they typically experience higher rates of poverty, food ad water insecurity and malnutrition than non-indigenous populations.

Scientists increasingly recognise that IP’s are the stewards of natural resources and guardians of biodiversity. During COP 21 in Paris 2015 it was acknowledged that IP’s hold some of today’s answers to tomorrow’s challenges; a matter that CPRSX embraced as a core value principal as far back as 2007 when Australia agreed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. In recent years, development experts have recognised that obtaining Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) for any proposed project to be developed on an Ancestral Domain is important for IP’s. It is a good practice for project developers to undertake for involving local communities in decision making processes concerning any proposed climate change project development activity. Doing so increase their sense of ownership and engagement.

CPRSX conducted countless FPIC training and Information sessions over 6 years throughout many provinces in community halls, open land areas, homes, churches and universities for a variety of different IP groups and their local communities. Our Filipino management team planned all the FPIC meetings very well. Our team included government officials, Mayors, Governors, community leaders, pastors and priests, Indigenous leaders, tribal chieftains, women, seniors, Indigenous teachers and educators.

The time allocated for the FPIC sessions often extended over many days. The meetings included local communities, including women, the elderly and the youth. Our FPIC meetings were thorough, inclusive and well carried out in a manner that helped guarantee everyone’s right to self determination and participate in decisions that affect their lives and well being.

Through the FPIC meetings CPRSX learned that Filipino IP’s obtained little benefit from other projects such as mining, logging, extractive industries including water and fishing resources. They lost their environmental resources, wildlife, biomass and forestry and obtained meagre income making opportunities. They did not benefit from quality paradigm shifts nor sustainable development opportunities equitably. The CPRSX Climate Change Action Plan ™ with its projects, management and technological methodologies remedy their prior bad experiences and raises their sustainable opportunities to the highest possible standards.

Click on an image below to view some FPIC slide shows.

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