Indigenous peoples have achieved recognition of their rights in multiple international instruments (e.g., ILO Convention 169, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and national legislation. This recognition includes the self-determination of these peoples and their forms of governance, understanding them as socially and culturally differentiated peoples, which has led to a greater focus on recognizing their rights and achieving their social inclusion. Due to their particular status and the fact that they can often find themselves in situations of vulnerability, it is essential to have a socioculturally-appropriate approach when designing and implementing development projects that have a direct or indirect impact on these communities. In this context, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) joins in the worldwide recognition of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which is celebrated every year on August 9.
Tools to promote the sustainable development of Indigenous peoples
At the IDB, both Operational Policy 765 (OP-765) and the Environmental and Social Performance Standard 7 (ESPS 7) of the Environmental and Social Policy Framework (ESPF) recognize Indigenous peoples as socially and culturally differentiated peoples, who are often among the most marginalized and vulnerable segments of the population. For this reason, OP-765 and ESPS 7 establish guidelines to mitigate adverse impacts and promote culturally-appropriate development benefits.
In addition to providing guidelines, at the IDB we believe that it is valuable to encourage the systematization and exchange of experiences in the region. This is why we have prepared a publication (currently available in Spanish) to summarize the conclusions of a workshop held in Paraguay on this topic. The publication, which incorporates the contributions of technical and social specialists from executing agencies working on transportation, energy, and water and sanitation projects, can be a valuable tool to provide guidance on key aspects to consider when managing infrastructure projects that affect Indigenous communities.
Paraguay is home to 19 Indigenous groups from five linguistic families, divided into 493 communities and 218 villages. The Indigenous population represents a total of 117,150 people distributed in the 13 departments of the country. Below, we will share some of the reflections and lessons learned in this publication, based on shared experiences in the application of operational policies related to Indigenous peoples in Paraguay, especially with regard to Indigenous development plans in projects with Indigenous communities in their area of influence. Among these lessons, we find the importance of promoting a participatory, collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to achieve successful results in the implementation processes of Indigenous Peoples Plans.
Experiences and challenges: the case of Paraguay
One of the key aspects to take into account in the development of projects involving Indigenous communities is the need to understand their sociocultural diversity and, therefore, the different internal dynamics that are part of their reality. For example, their social organization, their forms of decision-making, governance and the ways in which they prefer to engage, among others. This entails a careful identification of the communities in the area of influence where each project is implemented, a sociocultural analysis and an assessment of the positive and adverse impacts that could arise from the projects. It is essential to implement measures to avoid, mitigate or compensate for adverse impacts from a socioculturally-appropriate perspective, while enhancing positive impacts, taking into account the social and cultural reality of each Indigenous community.
The active and culturally-appropriate engagement of Indigenous communities throughout the consultation and development process is another crucial element. Approaching projects from a sociocultural perspective that prioritizes community participation and incorporates a gender approach yields better results in terms of organization and articulated management.
In order to face the complex challenges that arise in this context, it is necessary to promote collaboration among various institutions and sectors. Joint inter-institutional, intersectoral and multidisciplinary work becomes essential to respond to the needs identified in the territory and guarantee the success of the strategies implemented. It is also important to establish coordination systems and articulated work mechanisms that promote the formation of alliances and streamline interventions in accordance with the requirements of the Indigenous population.
These are just a few of the lessons learned that, together with the IDB’s operational policies and guidelines, shed light on how to address what can be a complex challenge: promoting the sustainable development of Indigenous peoples. A socioculturally-appropriate approach that recognizes diversity, prioritizes the protection of their rights and guarantees their active participation is key to promoting inclusive development that respects the cultural and social value of these communities in Paraguay and the rest of the region.
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