Major Group: Indigenous Peoples
Science, Technology and Innovation, Knowledge-sharing and Capacity-building Submitted by Roberto Múkaro Borrero, International Indian Treaty Council on behalf Indigenous Peoples Major Group Open Working Group on Sustainable Development, Morning session 12/09/2013
Greetings Mr. Chair, on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples Major Group, I appreciate this opportunity to share these comments on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Knowledge-sharing and Capacity-building. It is our understanding that the pivotal importance of STI, Knowledge-sharing and Capacity building for eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development was confirmed at the Rio+20 Conference and the 2013 ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review. We also note that while research and innovation is becoming “increasingly open, collaborative and international, access to the benefits of STI and knowledge remains inequitably distributed” within and among countries and peoples. In addition, the technological gap between developing and developed countries remains a stark reality. As Indigenous Peoples are verifiably among the most vulnerable and marginalized peoples on the planet, and on the frontlines of Climate Change, we are well aware that the world is rapidly approaching, and in some cases already exceeding, planetary boundaries. Mr. Chair, there is clearly a disconnect between policy-makers, technical experts, and Indigenous and local communities with regard to generating, sharing and utilizing scientific knowledge, as well as between scientific knowledge production systems and other knowledge systems. This is unacceptable especially as the world community urgently needs to mobilize to face the serious global challenges that we know lie ahead. Indeed, the integration of scientific with indigenous and local knowledge must be a part of policies and programmes to protect and manage natural resources in an environmentally and economically sustainable, culturally appropriate manner.
This is precisely why the Rio + 20 Indigenous Peoples’ International Declaration on Sustainable Development and Self-Determination emphasized three core elements and priorities for Sustainable Development for Indigenous Peoples including: 1) Culture as a fundamental dimension of Sustainable Development;
2) Full exercise of the human and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples; and 3) Strengthening diverse local economies and territorial management. With this in mind, we call upon the OWG to integrate these priorities in the outcome of this process, which seeks to identify goals and strategies in relation to the post-2015 Development Agenda.
Mr. Chair, human rights based, multidisciplinary, integrated, and culturally-sensitive approaches, as well as consistent life cycle thinking and long-term perspectives in the STI frameworks and policies of countries, especially those of developing countries, and emerging economies are key to building the necessary knowledge for sustainable development at all levels. Finally, with regard to technology, and Information and Communications Technology in particular, we would like to draw your attention to a recent report commissioned by UNESCO entitled “Indigenous Peoples, WSIS, and Emerging Uses of ICTs.” This report was endorsed by Indigenous Peoples attending the WSIS + 10 session earlier this year and contains seven relevant recommendations, congruent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and supported by other international instruments. The overarching principle of these recommendations is premised on the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples at all stages of strategy and programme development, as well as in implementation, evaluation, and monitoring. We urge the OWG to also consider incorporating these recommendations within this process. Hahom/Thank you. Contact: mukaro@uctp.org
TST Issues Brief: Science, Technology and Innovation, Knowledge-sharing and Capacity-building See http://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/content/220-indigenous-peoples-releas… See http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002197/219743e.pdf
Greetings Mr. Chair, on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples Major Group, I appreciate this opportunity to share these comments on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Knowledge-sharing and Capacity-building. It is our understanding that the pivotal importance of STI, Knowledge-sharing and Capacity building for eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development was confirmed at the Rio+20 Conference and the 2013 ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review. We also note that while research and innovation is becoming “increasingly open, collaborative and international, access to the benefits of STI and knowledge remains inequitably distributed” within and among countries and peoples. In addition, the technological gap between developing and developed countries remains a stark reality. As Indigenous Peoples are verifiably among the most vulnerable and marginalized peoples on the planet, and on the frontlines of Climate Change, we are well aware that the world is rapidly approaching, and in some cases already exceeding, planetary boundaries. Mr. Chair, there is clearly a disconnect between policy-makers, technical experts, and Indigenous and local communities with regard to generating, sharing and utilizing scientific knowledge, as well as between scientific knowledge production systems and other knowledge systems. This is unacceptable especially as the world community urgently needs to mobilize to face the serious global challenges that we know lie ahead. Indeed, the integration of scientific with indigenous and local knowledge must be a part of policies and programmes to protect and manage natural resources in an environmentally and economically sustainable, culturally appropriate manner.
This is precisely why the Rio + 20 Indigenous Peoples’ International Declaration on Sustainable Development and Self-Determination emphasized three core elements and priorities for Sustainable Development for Indigenous Peoples including: 1) Culture as a fundamental dimension of Sustainable Development;
2) Full exercise of the human and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples; and 3) Strengthening diverse local economies and territorial management. With this in mind, we call upon the OWG to integrate these priorities in the outcome of this process, which seeks to identify goals and strategies in relation to the post-2015 Development Agenda.
Mr. Chair, human rights based, multidisciplinary, integrated, and culturally-sensitive approaches, as well as consistent life cycle thinking and long-term perspectives in the STI frameworks and policies of countries, especially those of developing countries, and emerging economies are key to building the necessary knowledge for sustainable development at all levels. Finally, with regard to technology, and Information and Communications Technology in particular, we would like to draw your attention to a recent report commissioned by UNESCO entitled “Indigenous Peoples, WSIS, and Emerging Uses of ICTs.” This report was endorsed by Indigenous Peoples attending the WSIS + 10 session earlier this year and contains seven relevant recommendations, congruent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and supported by other international instruments. The overarching principle of these recommendations is premised on the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples at all stages of strategy and programme development, as well as in implementation, evaluation, and monitoring. We urge the OWG to also consider incorporating these recommendations within this process. Hahom/Thank you. Contact: mukaro@uctp.org
TST Issues Brief: Science, Technology and Innovation, Knowledge-sharing and Capacity-building See http://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/content/220-indigenous-peoples-releas… See http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002197/219743e.pdf