Workshop on customary sustainable use at Conference of the World Indigenous Network

The inaugural Conference of the World Indigenous Network (WIN) took place in Darwin, Australia from 26 to 31 May 2013. The WIN conference was designed to build a strong foundation for an innovative and enduring network of land and sea managers, with a programme aimed at coming together, connecting and sharing stories and experiences of indigenous peoples and local communities who have an active role in managing natural environments. Read more about the WIN here: http://www.worldindigenousnetwork.net/ 

FPP prepared and hosted a workshop at the conference, together with the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) and the CBD secretariat, on customary sustainable use (Article 10c of the CBD). The session’s aim was to build a diverse and empowered network of indigenous peoples and local communities who are interested and committed to working on 10(c) issues at local, national and global levels, and who are interested in sharing information and providing input on a regular basis. There is already an ad-hoc ‘10c network’ within the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), but this network would greatly benefit from additional members bringing in new experiences and views. 

The session also aimed to raise awareness and share information about the CBD in general, and on important aspects of the CBD relating to indigenous peoples and local communities in particular , such as Articles 8(j) and 10(c) on traditional knowledge and customary use of biodiversity and on means and opportunities to engage in the process. Presentations were given by Mr. John Scott, Programme Officer for Traditional Knowledge at the CBD, and Professor Stephan Schnierer, an indigenous researcher from Southern Cross University in Lismore, New South Wales, who is currently leading a research team on indigenous cultural fishing, and who is also one of the lead members of the IIFB group on 10c. 

The workshop presentation, as well as a video of the entire workshop, can be downloaded from the WIN website, here: http://www.worldindigenousnetwork.net/win-conference-darwin-2013/cbd-side-event-expanding-and-strengthening-an-indigenous-and-local-community-network-on-customary-sustainable-use-cbd-article-10c 

In terms of next steps moving on from the conference, feedback on a scoping paper will be used to shape the future of the WIN. Comments on the scoping paper (also available in French and Spanish) can be submitted via the website, here: http://www.worldindigenousnetwork.net/scoping-paper