Open Table Discussion:

Indigenous Communities in Forestry

&

IFSA Indigenous Family Empowerment

Organized by IFSA LC Eberswalde (Germany) X IFSA LC FRI (India) Collaboration

1. Objective

This collaboration project of the two LCs brings together interested individuals and leading experts in the platform to focus on the lack of protection for indigenous communities which live or have lived with and in the forests. 475 million people (5% of the world’s population) define themselves as an indigenous person and 5000 different peoples (amnesty.org).

  • Our goal: How can we spread more awareness about indigenous knowledge, rights (violations), stories, and forest conservation practices?
  • Our point of discussion: Where is the position of indigenous communities in the forestry sector?

2. Event date and time

It is a 2-day online event.

Date: February 13th and 14th, 2023

Time: 12:30 p.m. (CET)

3. Overview

  • Day 1:

Different speakers share their perspectives on the indigenous people in the forestry sector.

Bhavya George, Programme Co-ordinator, Climate Change of the KeyStone Foundation, will provide a deeper understanding of the climate crisis at the local level, involving communities in practical learning and climate action and training women in rural areas to document and study changes in their neighboring ecosystems.

Rudrath Avinashi, Project Associate with Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group, will talk about community conserved areas and a National level portal for India developed with the objective of increasing the visibility and recognition of CCAs.

Meenal Tatpati, Senior Research and Advocacy Associate with Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group, will focus on looking at conservation laws in India and the effect of their implementation by various implementing agencies on the lives and livelihoods of local communities and indigenous people, especially pastoralists.

Deepak Bara, Documentary Filmmaker & Development Consultant Social Activist, helps community and development agencies with tools of video production and dissemination of information through relevant mediums for desirable impact around issues.

  • Day 2:

Brainstorming IFSA indigenous sub-groups

Speaker: Bhavna, founder of “The Indigenous”

IFSA community about indigenous identities

4. To attend the meeting:

Register yourself through this link: https://forms.gle/wfDhLBo857rq5EEo7

Meeting link: https://meet.google.com/inm-gkdm-aky

For further information or queries, please feel free to get in touch Vivienne Mack Vivienne.Mack@hnee.de, Neekita Urang neekita.urang@ifsa.net, Damya Srivastava damya.srivastava@ifsa.net

Author: Vivienne Mack (LC Eberswalde) & Neekita Urang (LC FRI)