NGO Initiatives in Advancing Civil Society Safeguards and Conservation GEF Civil Society Consultation Luis Pabon November, 2009

1. The Nature Conservancy’s Guiding Principles on Indigenous Peoples and Conservation

Key elements Based on TNC’s core principle: “Respect for Peoples, Communities and Cultures” Recognition of indigenous peoples’ social, economic, and cultural rights Promotion of their full and effective participation in decisions that affect their lives, their traditional lands and territories, and their cultural integrity

Indigenous Peoples Rights Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 169

Main themes contained in TNC’s principles Collective Rights Voluntary Isolation and Mobile Indigenous Peoples Participation Governance and Self Determination Free, Prior and Informed Consent Discrimination, Equality and Gender Partnerships Lands and Territories Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property Protected Areas Natural Resources and Ecosystem Services Social and Economic Development Infrastructure Development and Natural Resources Extractive Projects International Borders

2. Human Rights and Conservation NGOs joint Initiative

We recognize the fact that: Conservation activities affect the relationships of people to lands and resources, and that many people in high- biodiversity areas are among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. As implementers of conservation programmes we have a responsibility to address and be accountable for the social effects of our work

NGOs commit to: 1. Respect human rights 2. Promote human rights within conservation programmes 3. Protect the vulnerable 4. Encourage good governance

Actions 5. Further develop these principles and implementation measures in consultation with our constituencies 6. Establish relevant institutional policies 7. Ensure implementation capacity is in place 8. Address conservation-human rights links in the design, implementation and monitoring of our programmes 9. Establish accountability measures 10. Apply the policies and principles in agreements with subcontracting organizations and implementing partners