Indigenous Knowledge and Peoples of Asia (IKPA)
Background
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) with the financial support from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) implemented the project “Laying the Foundations for an Indigenous Peoples Partnership on Community Mapping and Monitoring in Asia”. The main outcome of the project is the establishment of the regional network known as “Indigenous Knowledge and Peoples of Asia (IKPA)” in June 2019.
Goal of the IKPA
The goal of the IKPA is to advance the recognition, respect and visibility of Indigenous Knowledge and Community lead initiatives at all levels.
Functions of the IKPA
The matrix below shows the major three functions of the IKPA as well as activities to be implemented to fulfil those functions:
- Establish platforms for information sharing and learning at local, country, and regional levels
- Skills Training on Community Based Monitoring and Information System (CBMIS) Tools and Technologies
- Community-based training for documentation, reporting and monitoring
- Workshops on Community Mapping and Community Protocol
- Sensitization workshop for indigenous youth on the importance and value of Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Develop local journalists to communicate the ways of life of indigenous peoples (living in harmony with nature)
- Revitalization of Customary Governance and Resource Management Systems
- Production of Information, Communication and Education (IEC) Materials in local, national, and international languages
- Analysis on the existing laws and policies relating to indigenous knowledge and land rights
- Documentation, publication, and promotion on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge Systems (IPKS) for evidence-based advocacy
- Contribution to Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO) and Local Biodiversity Outlook (LBO)
- Consultation and dialogue with policy makers
- Collection of community initiatives/stories to feed into Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development
- Facilitate strong support and solidarity from local level to international level on Indigenous Knowledge
- Identify communities that can be promoted and/or strengthened as a model community/Community Learning Centre (CLC)
- Learning exchange consisting of elder, youth and women at local, country, and regional levels to facilitate inter-generational learning and transfer of indigenous knowledge
- Support communities to replicate and upscale the good practices on resource management
- Provide support to strengthen the livelihoods, education, and knowledge systems of indigenous peoples
Articles
“Land Tenure Security is the Foundation for Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems”-A Webinar on Indigenous Women as Global Game Changers
It has been widely acknowledged that the world’s dominant food systems are unsustainable: as key drivers of climate change, they generate adverse environmental, socio-economic, and health impacts on the entire
Further Reciprocal Rice for Fish: An act of Indigenous Peoples against Covid-19 recurrence
Following the incidence of Covid-19, the phenomena of reciprocal commodities takes place among Indigenous Peoples of Thailand. This happens especially between the Indigenous Karen in the North and the sea
Indigenous Peoples Call for Climate Action Amidst Global Pandemic
Indigenous Peoples are concerned by the fact that vital climate negotiations for the planet’s survival have been postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. While this may suit some governments,
The Forest as Community Supermarket for Karen Indigenous Peoples in Thailand
In Ban Mae Jok, neither electricity nor internet/Wi-Fi are available, but 1,600 hectares of natural forest provide a much larger choice of consumable items than a giant supermarket. Even without
The Huay Ee Khang Model: Emerging Idea of “Indigenous Women’s Forest” to Embrace both People and Wildlife
Huay Ee Khang Village in Mae Win Sub-district of Mae Wang District in Chiangmai is piloting an effort to use its community forest of 60 rai (9.6 hectares) to become
Thailand: Learning and understanding living in harmony with nature from Karen knowledge holders in the Karen language
Language is not only a tool for communication but also the identity of Indigenous Peoples which represents who we are and our distinct relationship with land, territories and resources. Most
Publications
Training Manual for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on the Convention on Biological Diversity
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) published the “Training Manual for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on the Convention on Biological Diversity” on 10 December 2021. The
CELEBRATING AND AMPLIFYING HER STORIES: INDIGENOUS WOMEN, ANCESTRAL WISDOM
Millions of Indigenous Peoples in Asia live in remote areas in the mountains, hills, plains, river basins, forests, and coastal areas. The homes of Indigenous Peoples overlap with the most
Let’s Go Back Home: Revisiting Indigenous Knowledge
“Ker Say Choo Ler-a Khoh May, Pgakenyaw Choo Leu-Ah Pho Ahlee” “A horse draws its strength from its hooves. But humans draw their strength from their children.” Proverb of Karen
Videos
The Nine Level Agriculture of the Akha People
For Akha people women are a symbol of diversity and fertility. In their resourcefulness lies the propagation of farming methods that have yielded a variety of foods.
Knowledge is Wealth Not Money
The Law-wer [Lua] community living in the Mae La Noi District of the Maehongsong Province does not measure wealth with money but cotton cultivation and the abundance it provides to the community through the production of cotton fabric woven and dyed with natural pigments.
The community elders hold crucial knowledge of medicinal herbs still used today. For example, in postpartum healing.
Sharing Seeds is Integral to Shan Tradition & Preservation
Taw-pae is a traditional Shan village in Mae Hong Son Province in the north of Thailand, located 5 kilometers from the district and, thus, it enjoys some prosperity with regard to basic