1. Mobilizing Members and Networks
Over the past three decades of its existence, AIPP has succeeded in creating an integrated, regional Indigenous Peoples’ movement in Asia. Its membership has been steadily expanding while six coordinated networks—on indigenous knowledge, media, human rights defenders, women, youth and land and territorial platform—have been formed.
AIPP’s members and networks will remain central to realizing its strategic direction at the local, regional, and global levels. AIPP will not only focus on consolidating and expanding its membership but also on enhancing the capacity of its members and networks by encouraging their active participation and delegating responsibilities for activities at all levels. This approach will foster solidarity among members, thereby strengthening the Indigenous Peoples’ movement in Asia.
To achieve this, AIPP will restructure, redirect, refocus and strengthen its work in the secretariat. We will also improve its cooperation and coordination with our members and the Executive Council along the following lines:
A. Restructuring the Secretariat
To enhance coordination and responsiveness at the local level, AIPP is shifting from a Programme Theme-based structure to Sub-Regional Teams. The existing six thematic programmes will be consolidated into four Sub-Regional Teams: East Asia, Southeast Asia, Mekong, and South Asia.
This restructuring is designed to better address the specific needs and contexts of each sub-region. The Secretariat’s management structure will also be adjusted to provide strategic oversight, as well as support in identifying, developing, and implementing country-specific programmes in alignment with AIPP’s Strategic Direction and the Strategy for 2025-2028.
As part of this transition, the role of Programme Committees will be phased out. Instead, Executive Council members from each sub-region will take the lead in guiding and monitoring programme implementation within their respective Sub-Regional Teams.
B. Institutionalizing and Strengthening Country Focal Organisations and Committees
Establishing and empowering Country Focal Organisations and their Committees (Political Advisory Committee or Core Committee). These entities will share responsibilities and collaborate closely with the Sub-regional Teams of the AIPP Secretariat. Identification and agreement on Country Focal Organisations will be prioritized where they are currently lacking.
C. Facilitating Country-Level Processes and Sub-Regional Consultations
Conducting consultations and processes at both country and sub-regional levels through the Sub- regional Teams, in cooperation with the Country Focal Organisations and their Committees.
D. Providing Comprehensive Capacity Building
Offering extensive capacity-building programs for AIPP office holders (Executive Council members), Secretariat staff, Country Focal Organisations, and Country Coordination Teams. Training will cover critical topics such as the concept of Indigenous Peoples, indigenous self-governance and democracy, and lands, territories, and resources. The goal is to ensure a comprehensive and unified understanding of the key issues that AIPP addresses in its initiatives. Additionally, the training will provide practical orientation and skill development to operationalize coordination and management mechanisms between Sub-regional Teams and Country Focal Organisations.
AIPP will implement a performance management system featuring regular staff evaluations to assess effectiveness, identify development needs, and strengthen organizational capacity. As a movement- driven organization, we need to also scale up our Secretariat’s capacity to provide more responsive, high-impact technical support to member organizations across all operational levels.
To effectively implement this strategy, four Sub-regional Teams will be established within the Secretariat, staffed through a reorganization of existing thematic programs and management teams.
Concurrently, Country Focal Organisations and their Committees will be formed in every country, alongside the integration of AIPP member organisations and the establishment of a structured framework for collaboration with sub-regional teams. Additionally, country-level and sub-regional annual consultations will be conducted to ensure continued collaboration and strategic alignment.
To advance this effort, a Statement of Goal and Purpose (for country-level processes) has been developed and adopted in principle by a majority of members across all countries. This statement will serve as the framework for reorganizing and streamlining country- level processes, ensuring alignment between the AIPP Secretariat and Country Focal Organisations in movement-building initiatives.
Contact Us
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
112 Moo 1, Tambon Sanpranate, Amphur Sansai, Chiang Mai 50210, Thailand
Phone: +66(0) 53 343 539
Fax: +66 (0) 53 343 540
[email protected]