How philanthropists can be better allies to Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous activist, Milka Chepkorir, speaks about how philanthropy can be a better ally to, and advocate for, the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in protecting biodiversity. Read more ▸
Mapeo for ICCAs: new app to support Indigenous Peoples and local communities to document and map their territories of life
Digital Democracy, UNEP-WCMC, and Forest Peoples Programme (ICCA Consortium Member) have developed “Mapeo for ICCAs,” a mapping app designed with and for communities to enable custodians to map, monitor and support their territories of life on their terms. Read more ▸
In the news: interview with Aquilas Koko Ngomo at the “Journey to the African IPLCs Strategy” workshop
Aquilas Koko Ngomo, Policy and Advocacy Co-coordinator for Africa, ICCA Consortium, speaks to a local TV channel in the backdrop of the “Journey to the African IPLCs Strategy” workshop organized by the Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT) in Kenya. Read more ▸
Here’s how you can support Sarawakian Indigenous organization SAVE Rivers against a ‘SLAPP’ defamation case
One of the leading Sarawakian Indigenous organizations, SAVE Rivers, and its leaders face a meritless defamation lawsuit in Malaysian court filed by logging company Samling designed to bankrupt and silence them. Read more ▸
COP15 event explores the crucial role of women in protecting and defending biodiversity
For the first time in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the new global biodiversity framework adopted in December 2022 recognises and commits to protecting environmental human rights defenders. During COP15, a side event co-organised by the International Land Coalition, Natural Justice, and the ICCA Consortium delved into what this means in practice and what women face on a daily basis as they defend their territories of life in diverse contexts. Read more ▸
Notes on the occasion of International Mother Earth Day: Josefina Tunki
April is Earth Month, and April 22 is Mother Earth Day. On this occasion, we reiterate our solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and local communities who maintain their collective lands, waters, and territories of life in the face of immense challenges. Read more ▸
Event Invitation: “Unrecognized, Underreported and Unrelenting – Exposing the Hidden Violence against Indigenous Human Rights Defenders”
Together with the International Land Coalition, the Alliance for Land, Indigenous and Environmental Defenders (ALLIED), and other co-organizers, the ICCA Consortium invites you to join this side event on 25 April 2023 at the 22nd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City. Read more ▸
Event recap: Members’ views on the new global biodiversity framework and emerging policy and advocacy priorities
In a special membership engagement event held in conjunction with the first session of the 2023 General Assembly, ICCA Consortium Members and Honorary members reviewed draft technical analyses and collectively discussed ideas and potential priorities for the association’s policy and advocacy work in 2023 and beyond. Read more ▸
Documenting and mapping governance, management and values of territories of life in Southeast Asia
“Community mapping is the most effective method that can facilitate the identification of the ICCA and the conduct of local resource assessment and inventories.” Read more ▸
Neighbors join forces to defend their territories of life in Malaysia
The Penan and the Kenyah Indigenous Peoples in Northern Sarawak, the Malaysian state of Borneo, work together on sustaining and nurturing their territories of life. Read more ▸
P. V. Satheesh: a quiet revolutionary walks on
P.V. Satheesh—the quiet revolutionary who helped transform the lives of Dalit women farmers in India—passed away on March 19, 2023. He was 77. The founder of the Deccan Development Society worked for agro-biodiversity, food sovereignty, women’s empowerment, Dalit rights, social justice, and local knowledge systems. Read more ▸
In Nicaragua, settlers burn Wilú Indigenous community, leaving five dead and two injured
On March 11, 2023, settlers (colonos) massacred at least five Indigenous Mayangna people in the community of Wilú, Mayangna Sauni As territory. Read more ▸
The natural and cultural heritage of the High Atlas on display at the 2022 edition of the Biocultural Festival in Morocco
In July 2022, the Biocultural Festival of Morocco, organized by the Moroccan Biodiversity and Livelihoods Association (MBLA, ICCA Consortium Member), focused on sustaining territories of life and preserving farmers’ seeds and traditional culinary knowledge. It also emphasized semi-nomadic pastoralists and the Agdals’ contributions to biodiversity conservation. Read more ▸
Second Regional Assembly of African ICCAs—territories of life brings together representatives from across the continent in 2022
The meeting was held on July 14 and 15, 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda Read more ▸
Territories of life and OECMs: reflections and recommendations from in-country experience
Dr. Ameyali Ramos (International Policy Coordinator of the ICCA Consortium from 2020-2022 and Deputy Chair of IUCN CEESP) presented on territories of life and “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs) during the online Fuller Symposium on 3 November 2022. This is a lightly edited transcript of Ameyali’s presentation. Read more ▸
Our fight for the forest – the future of Indigenous territories in the wake of the Myanmar coup
Forests in Indigenous territories in Myanmar face an uncertain future. The military has targeted environmental defenders for their work protecting their lands from theft and destruction by military-run companies and their cronies. Read more ▸
Preparing for the 19th General Assembly (online)
The 19th General Assembly of the ICCA Consortium will be convened virtually on Wednesday 29 March, Wednesday 26 April, and Wednesday 31 May 2023, from 12:00-14:30 UTC each day. Read more ▸
Announcement: Changes in the Secretariat’s operations and administration team
We extend our deep appreciation and best wishes to Anne Meier and Alison Powell as they move on from the ICCA Consortium’s Secretariat, and invite you to join us in welcoming Xaviera Elorza as our new Administration Coordinator and Mercedes Villalba as our new Finance Coordinator. Read more ▸
Two ICCA Consortium Members and an Honorary member have been recognized by the Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation in 2022
The 2022 Paul K. Feyerabend Awards recognize the work of Indigenous leader Josefina Tunki and human rights advocate Anuradha Mittal. Consortium Member NADA from Gambia was also awarded a grant in the same year. Read more ▸
Recap of “Rangelands and Pastoralism: Towards a Global Initiative for Pastoralists’ Territories of Life” workshop
A future global initiative hosted by the ICCA Consortium must critically address the realization of pastoral communities’ collective rights to their territories and relevant common resources. Read more ▸
