Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on the contribution of Development to the enjoyment of Human Rights

It is a pleasure to speak on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples across the world in the panel 6 of the Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on the contribution of Development to the enjoyment of Human Rights.

"There is a debate ascended by the governments, global leaders and power-holders that Indigenous Peoples are anti-development. They don't want infrastructural development, they protest against tourism, big company establishment such as- mining, hydroelectric dam, giant development projects in their territories. So, I would like to ask a counter question- what is development to you? How would you measure development?

Because, If you really believe and envision promoting development as a human right and anticipate development for Indigenous Peoples, shouldn’t it be Indigenous peoples themselves to determine the definition & nature of development, design and implement development projects and policies?

Because defining development while sitting in a luxurious air-conditioned room and dreaming/imagining development while experiencing hardship in remote areas is a world of difference. So it is high time we change the development narratives and establish Indigenous development engaging Indigenous leaders promoting bottom-up approach.

Diversity is beautiful and Indigenous Peoples are the lungs of world’s rich cultural diversity who invest their time and knowledge in protecting nature, biodiversity and environment. They may not have well-documented narratives and so-called sophisticated theories for development, but it is the Indigenous Peoples who protect and worship mother nature most in the most sustainable way. It is their self-governance system that teaches and guides them to maintain peace, justice and practice sustainability in the society."

Chandra Tripura Executive Council Member, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact