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On the occasion of the International Day for Indigenous Peoples, the International Fund for Agricultural Development （IFAD）, the Global Legislators' Organization for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE, Japan) and the University of Tokyo Graduate School for Agricultural and Life Sciences co organized an event entitled “Indigenous Peoples and Natural Resource Management” at the UN Pavilion of the Aichi Expo 2005 on Sunday 7 August 2005. |
The event was attended by prominent politicians of Japan, members of civil society, academia and a large number of visitors to the UN pavilion.
The event commenced with a performance by an indigenous Maori music group "Whangara" from New Zealand that drew applause from the participants. Their performance was followed by an IFAD documentary film , "Still the Children Are Here" produced by Mira Nair, a renowned film producer and director. The film highlighted ancient rice cultivation methods still practiced by indigenous peoples of north east India and the harsh conditions in which they live while maintaining their natural resources.
The panel discussion that followed was opened by Mr. Ryutaro Hashimoto, a former Prime Minister of Japan and currently President of GLOBE Japan and Member of the House of Representatives/LDP. He underlined the importance of rural agricultural development, its nexus with poverty reduction and environmental protection and in particular water resource management in rural communities.
Mr. Phrang Roy, Assistant President of IFAD delivered a statement on behalf of Mr. Lennart Båge, President of IFAD and underscored IFAD’s increasing attention to community based agricultural development and natural resource management in its projects and programmes.
Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, GLOBE Japan Secretary General and Member of the House of Representatives/LDP delivered a key note lecture. He emphasized the importance of agricultural development as a way to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by reducing poverty and tackling hunger, but at the same time also as a way for protecting the environment referring to multifaceted functions of agriculture such as environmental services.
The panel discussion on "Rural Development and Environmental Management for Indigenous People" was moderated by Professor Masayoshi Honma of the University of Tokyo Graduate School for Agricultural and Life Sciences. The following panelists shared their views with the participants:
Mr. Takashi Kosugi, GLOBE Japan Acting President and Member of the House of Representatives/LDP
Mr. Yoshinori Ohguchi, GLOBE Japan Deputy Secretary General and Member of the House of Representatives/Komei Party
Mr. Marutei Tsurunen, GLOBE Japan Manager and Member of the House of Councillors/Democratic Party
Mr. Fumio Kitsuki, Deputy Secretary-General, Organization of Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA, International)
Mr. Tatsuo Manago, Managing Director, Global Green Association
Mr. Kosugi referred to the linkages of climate change with agriculture and highlighted the need for policy coherence on climate change mitigation and agriculture development. Mr. Ohguchi stressed capacity development for agriculture and food production and marketing in rural areas as a basis for agricultural development. Mr. Tsurunen emphasized the need for tailoring agricultural assistance activities to the particular needs and conditions of respective communities. Mr. Kitsuki discussed the activities of his organization giving an example of a project in Papua New Guinea where social and institutional capacity development has been the main focus. Mr. Manago introduced the projects of his organization in China and Burkina Faso where community empowerment has played a pivotal part in projects as a way for enhancing human resource development and awareness raising aimed at dry lands agricultural development.
The panel discussion was followed by a question and answer session. A number of questions were raised from the floor on linkages of agricultural development with biomass energy development; promotion of agricultural residue recycling; and expansion of income generating opportunities in rural areas. Many of the participants underscored that agriculture and rural development were vital to community empowerment including for the indigenous peoples, but adequate attention is lacking on policy dialogues and public discussions. The participants highlighted the need for continuous discussions on this topic among multi-stakeholders in order to enhance an overall public understanding to mobilize support for these issues deemed as fundamentals for peace, security, prosperity and welfare for all around the world.
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| Auteur(s) |
UN Pavilion |
| Source |
UN Pavilion |
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| Date de publication |
07 Aug 2005 |
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