CONVERGING THE INDIGENOUS YOUTH INITIATIVES AND CAPACITIES IN ADVANCING THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

My PARTICIPATION in Weaving Perspectives: Converging the Indigenous Youth Initiatives and Capacities in Advancing the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Preparatory Meeting on World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

It’s my pleasure to write about my experience on my presence in the Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Preparatory Meeting on the World Conference on Indigenous People which was held from April 19 to 21 in Baguio City, Philippines which was followed by a community integration program in Abra, Philippines.

The program cum meeting, conference, and workshop is very much fruitful for me. I gained knowledge and shared my views, ideas, thoughts, and experiences regarding the struggles and work of indigenous people in Nepal as well as using equal opportunity for indigenous people in state agencies and mechanisms which are part of the government.

When the meeting started, I met the other indigenous youth from different parts of the world and got the chance to know that they are facing the same issues and problems we face in Nepal. I think indigenous peoples throughout the world at present have suffered a lot and have gone through a very painful stage for insuring their rights and their freedom. This cannot be obtained without justice and able participation of indigenous peoples of the world in the decision-making process, including the much more deprived sector of the indigenous community such as the women and the youth. In this case I must say that the youth as leaders of the future should come front line and raise their voice for our community. We are the nations of tomorrow so it is our duty and responsibility to fight for our rights. In Nepal, we are struggling for ensuring the conservation and development of our cultural heritage, language, service delivery for education, health, socio-economic infrastructures, and affirmative action for our greater participation in civil service and other public institutions. I found that governments and leaders of the world are not very serious of treating the indigenous peoples and community equally with the non-indigenous community. After some research, I came to learn that our concerns are same everywhere in the world that is why we, the indigenous youth brothers and sisters of the world, should come together in solidarity to reach our goals and ensure our freedom and rights.

In the meeting I learned a lot about concrete situations of tribal and indigenous communities in different countries and shared our input and experiences with indigenous communities. We also discussed about current updates on indigenous peoples in the Asia Pacific region. I had presented my presentation on the socio economic, political situation of Nepalese indigenous peoples and I informed the group about and recent political updates regarding indigenous peoples in Nepal. I also discussed and shared about the ethnic federalism issues and topics that are raised in Nepal by indigenous nationalities. The meeting provided a space for indigenous youth to share their ideas and thoughts at the meaningful forums. I believe to achieve what we want; we together can combine our collective efforts and exchange our knowledge and experiences with our movements at our own communities. We also discussed about the emerging problem of climate change. We exchanged information on ongoing activities regarding climate change happening around the globe. There was also a call upon states and peoples to come together to take initiatives to minimize the challenges brought by climate change. The meeting ended and concluded by signing the youth declaration as a symbolic action to further continue our journey in advancing the rights of indigenous people in the world.

After the formal conclusion of the meeting, the participants departed for Abra where I closely studied about the indigenous Filipino community and learned about the socio-economic and political situation there. I interacted with elders of community and got information from them about life styles, cultures, livelihood, traditions, beliefs, and struggles there. We also saw the effect of climate change in agriculture there. My friends and I found out that farming is has also been affected by climate change which resulted with less production of crops. The elders in the community strongly argued with me that the youth should have to be engaged with the creative work. They preferred that the youth would actively take part in education and sports to enhance their skills and capabilities and to maximize their young energy. The elders in the community also showed their full commitment in providing equal opportunity and freedom to women and girls and expressed their interest for women and girls education. They suggested to us that we forward programs for women’s empowerment and participation to the authorities.

I also observed local rivers and natural resources of Abra and the various effects of extreme commercialization and mining to the environment. The elder community leaders criticized the operation of the mining corporations without free, prior, and informed consent with and from them. They said that they only encourage the businesses that are environment friendly, those that contribute to the community and society, and can provide also some opportunities of employment for community people.

We participated in the Cordillera Day celebration in Abra. I also delivered my short well-wishing solidarity message to convey my support to their interest and good cause at the opening ceremony of Cordillera Day. I also wished them to continue their fight for self-determination and liberation and assured them that we, the youth, are also with them in their struggles. After the completion of the activity, we departed from the Philippines, taking new inspirations and hope in insuring the rights of indigenous peoples.

This kind of event creates a common platform for all of us to express our support for each other’s work. We are the builders of our nation so we should contribute our energy to the best of our abilities for our communities. This preparatory meeting is of very high importance for we are bringing the Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Declaration to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014. I would like to convey my thanks and regards to the main organizing committee of APIYN in Baguio City, Philippines for organizing such a fruitful event. I hope that APIYN will continue our youth movement in the near future.