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Connecting Communities - Sharing Knowledge -
Building a Common Future |
March 2008 |
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Se:kon/Greetings
IFIP Friends, I hope you are enjoying the beauty of the
Spring Season! IFIP
has been busy building off the success of IFIP’s Inaugural regional convening.
You can view NEW conference slideshows from the event, for Jan 18th
click here,
for Jan 19th click here. There
are many exciting upcoming events and collaborations in the next few
months including having IFIP join
a panel discussion on "Funding
Opportunities for Sustaining Biological and Cultural Diversity" during
the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation's upcoming symposium in NYC and
attending the notable 7th
annual Global Philanthropy Forum in San
Francisco which will have prominent leaders present
like Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Tutu. In
May, IFIP has invited Wangari Muta Maathai, Recipient of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, to speak at our annual awards reception at
the Council on Foundations Annual Conference, which will be held on May
4-7, 2008, see www.cof.org for registration info. IFIP also
welcomes you to join us for two important sessions: “From Climate Change to Poverty: How Indigenous Peoples are Tackling the Most
Challenging Issues of our Time” and “Key
to Effective International Philanthropy,” see our website for details.
Our list of distinguished speakers includes: Ken Wilson, The Christensen
Fund, Chief Kokoi, Amerindian Peoples Association of Guyana, Winona La Duke, Honor the Earth, James
Stauch, Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, Patricia Cochran, Inuit
Circumpolar Council, and Trevor Stevenson, Amazon
Alliance. This
year for the first time, there will be an Amazon
Donors Forum that Amazon
Alliance has organized and IFIP is co-sponsoring held right after the
COF events in Washington D.C.
on May 8th see http://www.amazonalliance.org/forum/ for
details and registration. I
look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events, as well as sharing updates
in future editions of our e-newsletter. IFIP would also like to encourage our
members to submit an article for our newsletter "The Sharing
Circle" about effective grantmaking and lessons
learned in Indigenous
communities. The deadline is April 30th, 2008. In Peace, REPORTS
& ARTICLES Impact
of Climate Change Mitigation Measures on Submitted by
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and Aqqaluk Lynge At its Sixth Session, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigneous
Issues (UNPFII) appointed the authors as Special
Rapporteurs to investigate the impact of “climate change mitigation
measures on indigenous peoples”. In this paper, the authors summarize the
effects of climate change on indigenous peoples, review mitigation and
adaptation measures, and then analyze the impacts of these measures on
indigenous peoples. This paper
includes case studies of mitigation measures under the Kyoto Protocol and
other voluntary measures that are affecting indigenous peoples adversely. It
also includes some good practice models and identifies opportunities for
indigenous peoples. The recommendations provide practical steps for the
UNPFII, as well as proposals for states, the United Nations Framework on
Climate Change, other United Nations bodies, programs and agencies, and
multilateral bodies on climate change mitigation matters. Click
here to download report. IFIP
CONFERENCES & EVENTS Council on Foundations Annual Conference IFIP Award Reception Please
join International Funders for Indigenous Peoples in its presentation of the
Annual IFIP Award, bestowed upon an individual or foundation that has
demonstrated efforts to increase philanthropic support for Indigenous Peoples
around the world. Previous recipients include the The Christensen Fund (2007)
in recognition of their efforts to promote and preserve Indigenous
stewardships of cultural and ecological heritages, Kalliopeia Foundation
(2006) for their intuition, spiritual wisdom and support for Indigenous
Peoples and Ford Foundation (2005) for their leadership in increasing a
greater commitment from a philanthropic institution. All are welcomed to
attend and take part in this momentous event. Cash bar, chocolate and
refreshments will be available. From Climate Change to
Poverty: How Indigenous Peoples are Tackling the Most Challenging Issues of
our Time Indigenous
people are the existing descendants of the original people inhabiting a
particular region or country. Indigenous populations often maintain cultural,
political and legal values that differ from those of the newer inhabitants,
and, importantly, maintain particular claims or rights over the local lands,
resources and artifacts, in accordance with these values. The goal of this
session is to share how the unique perspective of indigenous peoples can
inform and work in partnership with funders to advance solutions to our most
pressing global issues. Key to Effective
International Philanthropy Indigenous
peoples around the world are becoming more successful in making themselves
heard in international arenas. But many challenges remain in the fight for
full recognition of all their rights. Likewise international philanthropy
towards Indigenous Peoples is growing rapidly, but true partnerships and
effective mechanisms are still developing. This session will examine
practically the different ways that philanthropy is finding to support
transformative change with Indigenous Communities, drawing from examples in
the Amazon, Northern Australia and Africa. We will also share the results of
a groundbreaking report that has tracked Global foundation giving to
Indigenous communities. EVENTS FOR
FUNDERS 7th
Annual Global Philanthropy Forum April 11, 2008 Through
conversations with elders and emerging leaders, participants at the 7th
Annual Global Philanthropy Forum will explore their responsibility to protect
and their opportunity to effect systemic change. The Global Philanthropy
Forum Conference is intended for individuals who have made a significant
commitment to philanthropy, and executives from private, public, and
corporate foundations. Participation in the conference is by invitation only,
and invitations are not transferable. Conference Registration and Membership
Information Conference admission fees are waived for Associate and Full
Members. For
more information, contact Leslie Harlson, lharlson@wacsf.org,
or visit www.philanthropyforum.org.
2008 Annual Conference May
1-3, 2008 Our 2008 Annual Conference, Leadership
for A Changing World, will be a high-energy
gathering of visionary leaders from around the world. Join us for the best in
skill-building, inspiration and global idea exchange as we forge bold
strategies to empower women, communities and nations. Women's funds are at the forefront of investing in solutions to some
of the world's most pressing social issues. Together we are bringing in a new
era of global change for women and their communities. Our conference will
showcase the most cutting-edge ideas, trends and insights on social
investment in women. We will also offer practical opportunities to develop
skills, knowledge and connections in arenas from social networking to social
investment. Join Us! For more
information, click here. 3rd
Annual National Gathering May
2-3, 2008 NAP will host a national gathering to
celebrate outstanding philanthropic practices in Indian Country and share
knowledge of best practices in Native nonprofits and Native philanthropy. This two-day event will include prominent
Native speakers, discussion groups and speaker panels, the Annual Awards
& Celebration dinner, a Silent Auction and the Annual meeting of NAP. For more information, click
here.
Philanthropy's Vision: A Leadership
Summit Join a gathering of philanthropic leaders unlike any
the world has seen before. Whether you’re brand new to philanthropy or have
years of experience, from a small family foundation or a large corporate
giving program, from a rural area or a big city—philanthropy needs your
vision and your voice. For more information, click
here. Amazon
Forum Funder’s Session May
8, 2008 This meeting will
provide a forum for generating a cohesive, international response to the
serious threats facing Amazonia. The Forum also builds on the positive momentum
generated by the recent passage of the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples and the increasing worldwide concern about global climate
change. This historic moment offers significant opportunities for Amazonian
indigenous peoples and allied organizations to link through focusing
attention on the peoples and environments of the Amazon basin. The Amazon
Forum highlights the importance of Amazonia within broader global movements
and issues. Objectives The Amazon Forum will
enable Amazonian peoples' organizations and NGOs within the alliance Network
to reach consensus on the most effective approaches for combating the
interconnected threats of global climate change and the continent-wide
infrastructure development plan, Initiative for Integration of Regional
Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA). The primary objectives of the forum
are: · Generate
consensus among leaders of the indigenous and environmental movements on how
to best confront climate change and mega-development projects (IIRSA) · Develop an
international action agenda for the future of Amazonia and its peoples · Develop
mechanisms to sustain and monitor implementation of the action agenda For more information, http://www.amazonalliance.org/forum/ or email: amazonforum@amazonalliance.org
May
28-31, 2008 The growing importance of the
European Union, and the emerging influence of new environmental legislation
arising from Brussels, has an impact on American environmental and funding
initiatives. Progressive regulations, established in Europe, are affecting
issues of concern to EGA members- from environmental health to biofuels. For more information, contact Dana
Lanza, dlanza@ega.org, or Luis Davila, ldavila@ega.org Just Giving: Global Social Change
Philanthropy June
8-10, 2008 Since 2001, Grantmakers Without Borders has convened a major
annual gathering focused on global social change philanthropy. These events have
brought together a diverse assembly of up to 250 grantmakers, individual
donors and global Southern activists, who learn, network, and explore
collaboration through sessions that cover a wide range of grantmaking topics.
More complete information on the conference is
found in the attached document, click
here to download. EVENTS FOR
ALL Special Celebration Amazon Watch &
Hesperian April 11, 2008 San Francisco, California Hear reports from visiting environmental leaders
defending the rights of communities in the Amazon and mobilizing to provide
safe drinking water and mobilizing to provide safe drinking water and
ecological sanitation in Southern Africa. Learn about our forthcoming publications and campaigns.
Share food, drink and inspiring stories of struggle and
success. Space is limited: RSVP
to rsvp@amazonwatch.org or call 1-415-487-9600.
For more
information, visit the Amazon Watch
website.
April 18, 2008, 9am – 5pm 77 UN Plaza Building A Global Indigenous
Women's Caucus meeting is planned for Friday, April 18, 2008 in New York City
in preparation for the seventh session of the United Nations Permanent Forum
on Indigenous Issues, which will take place during April 21st until
May 2, 2008. Translation provided for Spanish, English, Portuguese, and
Russian. Co-sponsors to date: American Indian Law Alliance, Andes
Chinchasuyo, Native Women's Advocacy Center, and Seventh Generation Fund for
Indigenous Development. Co-sponsors
to date: American Indian Law Alliance, Andes Chinchasuyo, Native
Women's Advocacy Center, Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Development
and Amazon
Alliance.
April 21 - May 2,
2008 Indigenous peoples and the role they may play in combating
climate change are rarely considered in public discourses on climate change.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, is well placed to
support indigenous peoples in putting a “human face” on this issue. Hence, it
is not surprising that the special theme for the 7th session of the United
Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which will take place from 21 April
to 2 May 2008 in New York, is “Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and
livelihoods: the stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges”. The effects of climate change on indigenous peoples Indigenous peoples are among the first to face the direct
consequences of climate change, due to their dependence upon, and close
relationship, with the environment and its resources. Climate change
exacerbates the difficulties already faced by indigenous communities
including political and economic marginalization, loss of land and resources,
human rights violations, discrimination and unemployment. Examples include: ·
Indigenous peoples in Africa’s
Kalahari Desert are forced to live around government drilled bores for water
and depend on government support for their survival due to rising
temperatures, dune expansion and increased wind speeds which have resulted in
a loss of vegetation, and negatively impacted traditional cattle and goat
farming practices. ·
In the high altitude regions of
the Himalayas, glacial melts affecting hundreds of millions of rural dwellers
who depend on the seasonal flow of water is resulting in more water in the
short term, but less in the long run as glaciers and snow cover shrink. ·
In the Amazon, the effects of
climate change include deforestation and forest fragmentation and
consequently, more carbon is released into the atmosphere exacerbating and
creating further changes. Droughts in 2005 resulted in fires in the western
Amazon region and this is likely to occur again as rainforest is replaced by
savannas thus, having a huge affect of the livelihoods of the indigenous
peoples in the region. ·
Indigenous peoples in the Arctic
region depend on hunting for polar bears, walrus, seals and caribou, herding
reindeer, fishing and gathering not only for food to support the local
economy, but also as the basis for their cultural and social identity. Some
of the concerns facing indigenous peoples in the region include the change in
species and availability of traditional food sources, perceived reduction in
weather predictions and the safety of traveling in changing ice and weather
conditions, posing serious challenges to human health and food security. ·
In Finland, Norway and Sweden,
rain and mild weather during the winter season often prevents reindeer from
accessing lichen, which is a vital food source. This has caused massive loss
of reindeers, which are vital to the culture, subsistence and economy of
Saami communities. Reindeer herders are being forced to feed their herds with
fodder, which is expensive and not economically viable in the long term. Pre-registration for indigenous peoples' organizations
(IPOs) and academic institutions that have not attended previous UNPFII
sessions will close on Tuesday 1 April. Pre-registration
for for NGOs in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Indigenous Peoples'
Organizations and academics that have attended previous UNPFII sessions
will close on Monday 14 April. For
information on the UN Permanent Forum, click here.
Fire and Ice Ceremony for the
Earth July 18-20, 2008 The
Fire and Ice Ceremony for the Earth will be a powerful three-day
cross-cultural gathering of deliberation, ceremony, and celebration, the
objective of which touches the welfare of the world. A principal objective is
the return of the sacred fire in fulfillment of prophetic tradition. For the
first time in memory the sacred fire will be home. The ceremony will revolve
around the physical fire but the most important element will be the spiritual
fire, the spirit of which the physical fire is a symbol. It is a symbol of
countless generations of indigenous people who have met around it to consider
how to live well on the land given to them and how to relate well to the
Creator and to one another. The lessons of the ice will also be prominent,
both in helping us all recognize our common humanity, and in developing
common perspectives raised by the melting ice and global climate change. For
more information, click
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