JOAS Youth Jamboree Declaration 2016

INDIGENOUS YOUTH DECLARATION

JOAS Youth Jamboree 2016

We, the 72 indigenous youth from Malaysia that consist of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah & Sarawak andthe  indigenous  youth delegates from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, North East India, Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines gathered for the JOAS Youth Jamboree at Shah Alam Botanical Park, Selangor, Malaysia on 4^thand 5^th August 2016.

Together, we, as indigenous peoples and youth, have expressed our concerns on the current situation faced by indigenous peoples in general, which includes among others:

• The non-recognition of indigenous peoples by States and State actors as peoples with collective rights and the misrepresentation of indigenous peoples to decision making processes
• The loss of our identity which is caused by the loss of our lands to extractive industries such asmega dams, mining and large scale plantation
• The settlement of migrants in indigenous territories and militarization resulting to forced displacement and resettlements of indigenous peoples and youth

Our concern worsen as these situations are further compounded by:

• The loss of our culture due to the lack of, and inappropriate awareness of many indigenous youth on indigenous peoples’ customs, rights, and issues due to
• Thelack of avenues and support, for intergenerational transfer of knowledge and participation in decision making processes affecting indigenous peoples and youth; and
• Forced assimilation into mainstream and modern culture leading to identity crisis and self-harm.

The development of our full potential as indigenous youth is affected by:

• The lack of access of indigenous peoples in the rural areas to basic social services, such as infrastructure services;
• The commercialization of education,the lack of culturally appropriate curriculum and the use of mother tongue in the education system, that resultin high drop-out rates or number of out-of-school youth;
• Lack of source on livelihood skills for employment, which forces us, indigenous youth to look for work outside of our communities

In spite of all the concerns, we have resolved to be active in:

• The struggles of our peoples and will step up the fight for our land rights;
• supporting each other, educating the younger indigenous generations through continuous capacity building, and education discussions on the rights and issues as indigenous peoples and youth;
• Strengthening our involvement in existing indigenous-led community learning centers, institutions and initiatives.

We, commit to actively engage with our indigenous elders and leaders to enhance learning about our customs and traditions and revitalize our indigenous values by restraining ourselves from engaging in anti-social activities.

We, will also strengthen our ranks and capacities by actively organizing activities and programs for our fellow youth by establishing Youth Councils in all levels. We will utilize the social media to express the indigenous youth’s concerns and raise the awareness of our rights and issues to the wider public.

Furthermore, we commit, to strengthen solidarity and collaboration among each other and the wider indigenous peoples’ movements and organizations through learning exchange activities, programs and active involvement in advocacy and campaigns.

We are responsible in defending our rights, resources, and territories for the current and future generations and committed to be proud of our identity as indigenous peoples.

We, the indigenous youth will do our part and in turn we urge and call upon:

The Government / States to:

1. Ensure the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the other international commitments relating to indigenous peoples such as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) Outcome Document, and to adopt ILO 169.
2. Ensure accountability, measurability and transparency of all State and Federal personnel including corporations and businesses, and to comply with/respect with RSPO Compliance and the Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights and other international instruments.
3. Implement culturally appropriate programs, mother tongue based education curriculum on and for indigenous peoples with integrated indigenous knowledge that will be adopted into State Policy and Law.
4. Recognize indigenous peoples as distinct peoples with their collective rights to protect land rights of indigenous peoples, and the right to self-determination; and
5. Ensure the inclusion of indigenous peoples and indigenous youth in decision-making processes as well as in the decision-making bodies, on planning implementation of plans towards national development as embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs.

The ASEAN Member States to:

1. Recognize indigenous peoples as distinct peoples with collective rightsand as partners in the development of nation states.
2. Ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous youth in the various ASEAN pillars:
   1. ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC)
   2. ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
   3. ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)
3. Ensure that indigenous peoples and youth enjoy the benefits of ASCC by:
   1. Recognizing our traditional institutions and councilsas platforms in the inclusive as well as sustainable process to achieve balanced social developments and sustainable environment;
   2. Focusingon our enhanced capacity to collectively respond and adapt to challenges and emerging threats,
   3. Strengthening the ability to continuously innovate and be proactive member of the global community as indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Peoples Organizations and Institutions to:

1. Urgently conduct documentation of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples with the involvement and participation of indigenous youth;
2. Conduct activities on intergenerational transfer of knowledge;
3. Provide support and resources for the implementation of programs that will capacitate second line leaders within traditional institutions and organization; and
4. Support networking, learning exchange programs, and activities for indigenous youth at different levels.

Affirmed on this day 5^th August 2016

Click here to download full declaration.