3. AIPP School of Participation

The AIPP School of Participation (ASP) was launched in November 2024 as a regional programme designed to complement the AIPP Indigenous Self-Government and Democracy (AISGD) course. The ASP focuses on developing second-line indigenous leadership, primarily targeting youth leaders within the Asia Indigenous Youth Platform (AIYP) and member and network organisations. We are committed to actively promoting and facilitating the participation of indigenous women leaders and representatives from organizations serving IPwDs in the ASP.

The ASP course seeks to recover and revitalize Indigenous Peoples’ values to guide governance systems and land stewardship. Through critical reflection and identification of core principles, it aims to strengthen indigenous societies’ foundations.

AIPP believes that a strong understanding of the right to self-government, along with robust indigenous governance systems, is essential for indigenous leaders and communities to negotiate with states from positions of strength and translate their rights into democratic practice.

A new cohort of indigenous scholar-activists and youth leaders is expected to be actively networked and engaged in driving pluralistic nation-building and state democratization. Their efforts will include pioneering innovative approaches to territorial governance, conservation, and climate action.

Previously conducted at the regional level, the AISGD course will now be delivered exclusively at the community level as part of the Centers of Excellence in Village Governance programme.