Dear Editor,
I was happy and at the same time concerned on learning that the project concept note for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) was approved by the Steering Committee of the Guyana Redd plus Investment Fund (Stabroek News, June 11).
My happiness related to the fact that the process was finally beginning to move forward. However, there are major concerns about the process which according to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Guyana and Norway should allow for continuous, systematic, and transparent multi-stakeholder consultations that allow the participation of all affected and interested stakeholders at all stages of the REDD-plus/LCDS process and include the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples.
Also, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples in Article 19 spells out that states shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them. Guyana and Norway are signatories to this Declaration.
One major concern so far is that we the indigenous peoples were not properly consulted in the drafting of the project concept note for the Amerindian Development Fund. In 2003 an Area Development Strategy was commissioned by the UNDP which was not even sent to us when completed. However, it is an evolving and learning exercise and instead of focusing on the blame game let us all try to improve the process. I therefore propose that the approved ADF concept note be sent to all Amerindian Village Councils and the hinterland Regional Democratic Councils in Guyana. It should also be placed in the national newspapers for all to see. Although it is a fait accompli, let us hope that the approved concept note would not be one that needs major changes.
I suppose that the next phase would be to develop a full proposal for the ADF. I recommend that to make up for the initial lapse, a proper consultation be done in this phase. I appeal for all indigenous communities, hinterland RDCs and groups to be included in the consultations. The consultations must not only be inclusive but must be seen to be so. Do not bypass persons, communities, and groups that did not support the current government in the last elections.
The activities should also include an update of the LCDS and GRIF generally. Also, there are many indigenous persons who are capable of conducting the consultations once they are given the basic training. In this way the indigenous people would have lasting capacity building and would begin to get the feeling of ownership of the process.
Let us have a ‘grassroots to tree top’ process.
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ process to revise the previous Amerindian Act was seen by many of us as being inclusive and very acceptable, even though the results could have been better.
Another issue is that real indigenous development cannot happen without a systematic and systemic settlement of our land rights issues. And, of course, the will to get this done is so important.
Also, have we begun to plan for the establishment of an independent National Toshaos Council Secretariat that would be integrally involved in the LCDS/GRIF programme, among other responsibilities? This would be one of the first major tests to pass that will show that we are serious about abiding by the Guyana/Norway MoU that we signed on December 9, 2009.
Finally, It would be good to have other stakeholders making constructive criticisms and suggestions towards a successful LCDS. We are all in one boat, especially those of us who do not plan to migrate. We either sink together or sail onwards to a brighter future.
Yours faithfully,
Vincent Henry
