Indigenous Peoples' Communication for Development: Collaborative Efforts towards Self-determined Sustainable Development

According to the Communication for Sustainable Development Initiative (CSDI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and other United Nations agencies recognise that communication is fundamental to promote sustainable development. Within this framework, this document focuses on communication for Development (ComDev) as a participatory communication approach that combines a variety of processes and tools ranging from rural radio to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and can contribute to indigenous peoples' development by: (i) facilitating equitable access to knowledge and information; (ii) promoting dialogue and IPs participation; and (iii) enhancing indigenous peoples' capacity to manage communication processes for self-determined development.

Since 2006, FAO and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) have been collaborating in promoting initiatives to enhance indigenous peoples' capacities in the field of ComDev through a series of consultations and the establishment of indigenous peoples' communication platforms. In this context, FAO's CSDI programme gives special attention to vulnerable populations and indigenous communities, focusing on enhancing indigenous peoples' capacity to apply ComDev activities to sustainable natural resources management, particularly in the context of climate change adaptation in the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors.

This document presents the results of a series of initiatives implemented by indigenous peoples' organisations, development agencies, FAO, and the UNPFII to position communication for development as a key element in achieving social change and guaranteeing indigenous peoples full enjoyment of their human rights.

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