Dear FSN moderator,
Please find herewith IFAD’s contribution to the Preserving, strengthening, and promoting Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems and traditional practices for sustainable food systems - HLPE-FSN consultation on the scope of the report.
Wishing you the best,
Karla
International Fund for Agricultural Development
At IFAD we consider these Guiding Principles consistent with international law emphasizing the respect for the right to information, democracy and participation in the consultation process, targeting multiple stakeholders and demonstrating the report's practicability. We could only suggest to extend principle number 10 on FPIC to embrace the principle of co-creation. At IFAD we are actively engaging with Indigenous Peoples seeking ways to increase participation, expand the space for Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and perspectives and more effectively affirm the right to free, prior, and informed consent. We are learning to better practice codesign as a way to identify the challenges Indigenous Peoples face and identifying solutions responsive to their aspirations, governance systems, ancestral knowledge and practices.
- Should the objectives include mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples food and knowledge systems, and lessons learned from them, for the benefit of all, or solely for the benefit of Indigenous Peoples as rights holders?
Due to the sustainability and replicability of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems, it is recommended that they be exchanged and co-operated with other communities in strict adherence to the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), for the benefit of the global community and the full realization of their valuable values. Indigenous Peoples must be decision makers and fully benefit from the use of their knowledge systems.
- What are the challenges related to Free, Prior and Informed Consent and Access and Benefit Sharing when widely promoting and/or mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples food and knowledge systems?
The first problem with the principle of free, prior and informed consent is at the level of the legal system. The lack of legal protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in many countries makes it difficult to guarantee the practice of this principle. Secondly, the asymmetry of information means that Indigenous Peoples may lack access to background knowledge of relevant business, law and other technical matters, while other forces may exert pressure affecting the free nature of consent. In adopting FPIC as an operational principle, IFAD recognizes certain conditions that must be met :
(i) the concerned Indigenous Peoples must be informed of a proposed action in a timely basis in order for them to deliberate on and consider the proposed action; (ii) they must be informed in a way that enables them to fully understand the action and its implications to and seek advice when necessary; (iii) they must have the opportunity to make their decision about the proposed action free of any coercion, intimidation or bribery; and (iv) the process must be well planned and documented with the concerned Indigenous Peoples. There is a common tendency to view Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a process that occurs only during the implementation phase of a project.
However, the framing of the context, key issues, assumptions, and overall project strategy—which determine the scope and parameters of implementation—is established much earlier. Limiting FPIC to the implementation stage can restrict the extent to which Indigenous Peoples can shape the direction and nature of the project. At the design stage, the focus is not on seeking consent but on incorporating Indigenous perspectives regarding the nature of the problem, the context, existing community-level solutions, strategies, risks, and opportunities.
For the principle of access and benefit-sharing, the first problem faced is how to ensure that the benefits are evenly distributed as well as to avoid any disadvantage in terms of access to information. Another key challenge is related to recognition of Indigenous Peoples knowledge related to genetic resources conservation and the availability of accessible certification schemes that can promote fair and dignified conditions.
- How can the report ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, sustainability, and protection against commercialization risks for Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems?
Ensuring the inclusion of marginalized groups can start with ensuring sufficiently broad participation and ensure that the voices of other vulnerable groups, such as women and youth, are heard. In addition, preventing the commercialization of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems can be approached from the perspective of strengthening intellectual property protection, suggesting that the parts of Indigenous food and knowledge systems that can be protected as intellectual property should be identified and effectively protected through intellectual property laws in the terms that Indigenous Peoples find relevant. At the same time, strict adherence to the principle of free, prior and informed consent prevents any unauthorized exploitation of commercial practices.
- How should oral knowledge and traditions be documented and referenced in the development of the report?
One of the methods we often use to record oral knowledge is to record the conversation with the interviewer using audio or video under the condition of obtaining permission, so as to maximize the style and context of the narration. Oral knowledge should be cited in the report as appropriate and can be used as a case study. The oral knowledge should be classified and organized by date and name. The collective dimension of oral knowledge and traditions should be given centrality in the report. The use of such knowledge in the report has to be agreed with the knowledge holders as well as the referencing.
- What dimensions linked to Indigenous Peoples’ agency, e.g., in governance issues, could be addressed?
Regarding Indigenous Peoples' agency, attention should be paid to the extent to which they participate in local, national and international policy and regulatory development, for example, whether they have direct decision-making power. Furthermore, Indigenous Peoples have developed unique territorial management practices that generate food while preserving biodiversity. These practices, rooted in their cosmogony and governance systems, must be addressed within the framework of their rights to lands, resources, and territories.
- Are there important/relevant policy papers and instruments missing from the foundational documents list?
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) The Paris Climate Agreement (2015)
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- Could you please indicate relevant references that should be taken into account?
Petzold, Jan & Andrews, Nadine & Ford, James & Hedemann, Christopher & Postigo, Julio. (2020). Indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation: A global evidence map of academic literature. Environmental Research Letters.
Free, Prior and Informed Consent: Applying the principle to on-the-ground action Seeking, free, prior and informed consent in IFAD investment projects
WORKING IN GOOD WAYS: A framework and resources for Indigenous community engagement IFAD Policy on Engagement with Indigenous Peoples: 2022 update
Good practices in IFAD’s engagement with indigenous peoples
- What best practices, ethical standards, and strategies for addressing climate change should be highlighted in the report?
To address climate change effectively, the report should emphasize building genuine, long-term relationships with Indigenous Peoples rather than focusing solely on partnerships. This involves trust and mutual respect, understanding that meaningful relationships take time and effort. Ethical strategies should centre on contributing to Indigenous-led efforts. The report should also recognize the colonial approaches which often perpetuate Western frameworks that serve settler interests at the expense of Indigenous Peoples, their lands, and knowledge. To move forward, it is essential to adopt decolonized approaches that prioritize Indigenous Peoples’ food sovereignty, respect their traditional knowledge, and amplify Indigenous leadership.
- Which best practices or strategies to promote cross-cultural understanding should be highlighted in the report?
Language is at the centre of cultural identity and the transmission of knowledge, ensuring the revitalisation of language can help preserve and disseminate Indigenous Peoples knowledge, practices, and culture.
Support the cultural and artistic expression and innovation to ensure that the report is able to display and pass on deeper messages that reflect Indigenous Peoples’ cultures.
Showcasing practical examples that can provide meaningful insight of Indigenous Peoples perspectives.
Evidence-based case studies on the environmental and social outcomes of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and governance applied, including showing economic value.
- Are the previous legal documents such as Prior and Informed Consent, enough in light of this evolution of thinking about Indigenous People’s knowledge, or do they need to be revised?
As a principle, free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) refers to an internationally recognized right of Indigenous Peoples. Fundamentally it is the exercise of the right to self determination[1] and it references the right of Indigenous Peoples to determine who they are and who they will become. FPIC is not about Indigenous Peoples simply saying yes or no to a proposed action and it is not a mere safeguard to protect them from any adverse impacts (direct or indirect) of plans, policies and projects. In fact, while it seeks to safeguard, more broadly, FPIC as the exercise of the right to self- determination is about working along with Indigenous Peoples in identifying, co-designing, and pursuing development pathways that respond to their priorities and aspirations.
Indigenous knowledge systems, including their environmental, agricultural and medicinal practices, have historically often been undervalued or neglected. In order to keep pace with the evolving understanding of indigenous rights. Legal revisions could focus on clarifying the guiding principle of equitable benefit-sharing of traditional knowledge, while more clearly recognizing collective ownership, rather than individualistic intellectual property law frameworks.
Ms. karla sofia pita vidal