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| Members of the Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee together with African caucus, in Dar es Salaam Tanzania |
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international,
non-profit organization founded in 1993 by environmentalists, social interest
groups, responsible retailers and leading forest companies to develop
standards. These standards are based on the ‘10 principles for forest
stewardship’, by which forests can be responsibly managed. They also make sure
that environmental, social and economic needs are balanced, and that long-term
and healthy forest management plans are put into practice.
FSC certification is internationally recognized as having the most
rigorous environmental and social standards which define responsible forest
management. Its great strength lies in its ability to encourage communication
between people with different interests, ideas and philosophies. Bringing
together businesses, governments and communities provides a unique tool for
dealing with the complex issues surrounding forestry.
The FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples’ Committee (PIPC), is one of
the important committee for discussing and championing indigenous people
issues. PIPC held its last meeting in Dar es Salaam from 3-4th June
2014. The meeting was hosted by FSC East Africa sub region office, led by
Regional Coordinator, Paul Opanga in collaboration with Tanzanian FSC Standard
Development Group under the chair of Isaac Malugu. WWF Tanzania, is keenly
supporting FSC initiatives in Tanzania and currently facilitating the development
of national FSC Standards.
This event was held to make recommendations to the FSC Board that
will strengthen and renew the engagement of Indigenous peoples in FSC. At the beginning of 2014, Indigenous Peoples
from four (4) international region; Canada, Latin America, Northern
Europe-Russia, and Asia-Oceania, met and successfully nominated members to the
committee. The African Caucus was the final for completing the circle and
called together to provide guidance to the PIPC and nominate its
representative(s) to the committee. Adam Ole Mwarabu from Tanzania was
unanimously elected to represent the Africa region. Adam comes from Indigenous
maasai communities of Tanzania. Edna Kaptoyo from Kenya was also elected as
alternate from East Africa. The Batwa communities of Central and West Africa
will be represented by Venant Messe from Cameroon and Louise Kavira from
Republic of Congo.
The
revised Principle Three of the FSC Principles and Criteria is the strongest ‘normative’ statement on Indigenous Rights concerning a
natural resource sector amongst all certification systems globally. With the formal adoption of United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Free Prior and Informed
Consent gaining strength daily, engaging and informing the FSC system is
critical as indigenous people advances for their rights and partnerships in
relation to the forest, their traditional territories
In closing the caucus, the PIPC
Chairperson and Executive Director of National Aboriginal Association from
Canada,said, “ envision a strong committee strengthening Indigenous Peoples’
FSC engagement around the world in partnership with, by, and for Indigenous
Peoples in the forest on a permanent basis”. The PIPC
membership lasts for 10 years with two terms of 5 years. The next FSC General
Assembly will be held in Spain and PIPC looks forward for active participation.
