Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Summary of Answers from different INSUAH Partners:

1. Agreement with Guiding Principles 
   Traditional knowledge is not limited to Indigenous Peoples; in some regions, traditional knowledge can also help improve resilience in food supply chains and contribute to environmental sustainability and human rights. This inclusion should be acknowledged in the policy framework. Additionally, it is critical to emphasize the role of scientific rigor, inclusivity, and cross-sectoral collaboration in creating sustainable food systems.
   The guiding principles proposed in the report are supported, as they offer a framework for preserving Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems. This approach emphasizes rights-based policies that include Indigenous Peoples' rights, the right to food, and the rights of nature. The principles uphold Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), focusing on Indigenous sovereignty.
2. Mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems 
   It is suggested that Indigenous Peoples' food systems and the lessons they offer should be mainstreamed for the benefit of all. However, this must be done with respect for Indigenous Peoples' property rights to prevent exploitation. Practices like agroforestry and the cultivation of diverse crops, such as medicinal plants and traditional foods, showcase resilient systems that reduce dependency on single food sources and contribute to food security. Examples like the Sundanese "nyaneut" meal, which incorporates roots and bananas instead of relying solely on rice, can be models for global food resilience.
3. Challenges in Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) 
   A significant challenge is that knowledge considered a "common good" in market-oriented contexts can be commodified, leading to exploitation without adequate consent. Indigenous communities often face misappropriation of their knowledge and practices without fair compensation. The absence of strong legal frameworks results in unfair benefit-sharing, which undermines their sovereignty. To address this, stronger protection measures, such as special patent systems or prohibiting patent claims by profit-driven organizations, would help safeguard Indigenous knowledge.
4. Inclusion of Marginalized Groups and Protection from Commercialization Risks 
   The report should adopt rights-based approaches to protect biodiversity and Indigenous food systems while ensuring marginalized groups' contributions are recognized. Strengthening mechanisms like ABS will help protect Indigenous Peoples from exploitation. It is vital to emphasize the role of traditional knowledge in fostering sustainable food practices and building resilient, locally-led solutions that respect cultural integrity and support community-driven food security. Moreover, it is suggested that there be special protections against the commercialization of Indigenous knowledge systems.
5. Documenting Oral Knowledge and Traditions 
   The documentation of Indigenous knowledge should be approached with cultural sensitivity and respect for intellectual property. Tools like an "Atlas of heritage" could be used to register this knowledge. An example is the Indonesian Cirendeu community’s practice of cultivating cassava, which goes beyond a food source to serve as a means of cultural preservation. Documentation must follow FPIC principles to ensure voluntary, participatory, and ethical collection of knowledge, preventing unauthorized commercialization.
6. Addressing Indigenous Peoples’ Agency and Governance 
   The report should highlight Indigenous Peoples’ participation in governance, particularly regarding land tenure, resource management, and food sovereignty. Indigenous communities must have authority over decisions impacting their ecosystems and livelihoods, and the recognition of traditional governance structures will further affirm their rights. This would enable Indigenous Peoples to influence policies related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable practices, and equitable food systems at all levels of governance.
7. Missing Policy Papers and Instruments 
   While the foundational documents list is comprehensive, it could benefit from considering urban food systems. Indigenous knowledge is no longer confined to isolated communities; it has traveled to urban areas, where it is maintained and cultivated by people with roots in these practices. Excluding urban food systems might be a shortcoming. Furthermore, integrating the Global Framework on Food Systems from the UN Food Systems Summit and the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework would strengthen the rights-based approaches and support the integration of Indigenous perspectives in global food security and biodiversity conservation.
8. Relevant References to Include 
   Miltenburg E, Neufeld HT, Anderson K. Relationality, Responsibility and Reciprocity: Cultivating Indigenous Food Sovereignty within Urban Environments. Nutrients. 2022 Apr 22;14(9):1737. doi: 10.3390/nu14091737. PMID: 35565705; PMCID: PMC9105266.
9. Best Practices and Strategies for Addressing Climate Change 
   Indigenous communities possess invaluable knowledge for sustainable natural resource management, which is crucial in addressing climate change. Practices like traditional agroforestry, including homegardens, contribute to biodiversity, ecological stability, and food security while offering solutions for climate adaptation. Such systems help mitigate climate change by promoting carbon sequestration and enhancing environmental resilience. These practices should be integrated with ecosystem-based approaches to ensure food sovereignty and respect for Indigenous rights through FPIC.
10. Promoting Cross-Cultural Understanding 
    Promoting cross-cultural understanding requires inclusive education and training, particularly for the younger generation, integrating Indigenous knowledge with academic knowledge. An example is the collaboration with the Baduy people (Indonesia), where they shared their knowledge of natural resource management and food security. This cross-cultural exchange builds bridges between cultures, fostering mutual respect and shared learning.
11. Revisions to FPIC and Related Legal Documents 
    As Indigenous Peoples' knowledge systems continue to evolve, there is a need for systematic updates to legal frameworks such as FPIC. The increasing pressures of commercialization, digital rights, and the protection of intellectual property necessitate revisions to address contemporary concerns. Updated policies should prioritize Indigenous sovereignty over traditional knowledge and ensure equity, sustainability, and cultural integrity.

In a Nutshell:
INSUAH Recommends:

1. Protect Indigenous Knowledge and Rights: Strengthen policies like FPIC and ABS to ensure Indigenous Peoples retain control over their knowledge systems. Introduce protective measures to prevent the commercialization of traditional knowledge without fair compensation, such as prohibiting patenting by profit-driven entities.
2. Integrate Indigenous Knowledge in Food Systems and Climate Strategies: Include Indigenous knowledge in both urban and rural food systems as they offer innovative solutions for global food resilience. Integrate traditional agroforestry and sustainable practices into climate adaptation strategies to support biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
3. Promote Cross-Cultural Education and Dialogue: Support educational initiatives that combine Indigenous knowledge with academic learning. These programs can build bridges between cultures, fostering mutual understanding and addressing global challenges like food security and climate change through shared knowledge.
4. Regularly Update Legal Frameworks: Continuously revise legal frameworks such as FPIC and ABS to adapt to evolving challenges, including digital rights and intellectual property, ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ rights are safeguarded in the context of commercialization pressures.
5. Expand Inclusivity and Recognize Diversity: Acknowledge the diversity within Indigenous and Traditional Communities, particularly in urban settings, and ensure their knowledge is integrated into broader food systems for more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
6. Support Traditional Practices for Sustainability: Revitalize and support traditional agroforestry and food systems to enhance climate resilience, food sovereignty, and biodiversity, recognizing their importance for sustainable development.
7. Ethical Documentation with Consent: Develop participatory, ethical methods for documenting Indigenous knowledge, ensuring that community rights and cultural integrity are respected in all documentation efforts.
8. Establish Protective Mechanisms: Introduce legal protections to prevent the exploitation of Indigenous knowledge, ensuring that it is not commercially appropriated without equitable benefit-sharing.