indigenous peoples.
There are over 370 million,
living in more than 90 countries,
accounting for 5% of the world population,
but constituting 15% of the poor.
Indigenous Peoples are custodians of native seeds,
traditional knowledge and biodiversity.
FAO recognizes indigenous peoples as fundamental partners in development.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
promotes the United Nations’ core principles
and encourages the respect of human rights,
including the right to self-determination and development.
The FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples builds on this -
by calling for Free Prior and Informed Consent – (FPIC).
FPIC is a participatory process enabling indigenous peoples
to have a say in interventions that may affect their lives.
This means granting or denying consent,
but only after receiving the information about the intervention
well in advance, in a culturally appropriate way,
and prior to authorizing and starting any activity.
Indigenous peoples collectively decide free of coercion,
violence and manipulation.
Knowing that, if consent is given,
it can be also withdrawn at any stage.
Free Prior and Informed Consent also enables indigenous peoples
to participate and negotiate the conditions
under which the intervention is designed,
implemented, monitored and evaluated.
To facilitate a common approach to FPIC,
FAO and its partners have designed a practical manual
with six key steps to follow along the project cycle.
Steps for ensuring that equal consideration
is given to all members of the community.
FAO training on FPIC comprises webinars and e-learning;
and face to face activities.
Implementing Free, Prior and Informed Consent
and working with indigenous peoples from the beginning of the intervention
gives project managers knowledge
to improve understanding of indigenous communities,
to build trust
and to ensure the sustainability and ownership of the intervention.
But above all, it recognizes the positive impact
that comes from making sure
that the voices of indigenous women, men, youth and elders are also heard
and respected.