Connecting Communities - Sharing Knowledge - Building a Common Future
May 2007


Se:kon/Greetings IFIP Friends,

I am delighted to let you know that IFIP successfully convened and celebrated its Sixth Annual Conference—it’s first since becoming an independent organization in Fall 2006. The May 7-8th gathering at the Levi Strauss Foundation in San Francisco was appropriately themed, “Weaving a New Path in Philanthropy,” and symbolized the interrelatedness of our work and how we must work together to achieve common goals. There is an assortment of images from the conference available to view on our website, at www.internationalfunders.org.

IFIP’s annual conferences have increasingly become the largest gathering of donors that are dedicated to providing funding opportunities and strengthening lasting partnerships with Indigenous Peoples. Our recent gathering succeeded in bringing together more than 170 donors and Indigenous Leaders/NGO's from all over the world to discuss critical issues; such as Global Warming, Land Rights, Social Change Philanthropy, UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and much, much more.



During the conference, IFIP presented its Annual Award to The Christensen Fund in recognition of their efforts to promote and preserve Indigenous stewardships of cultural and ecological heritages. Previous recipients include the 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.

IFIP is thrilled to announce that it is now taking its work global and will host its First Regional Convening in Querétaro, Mexico from January 18-20, 2008 with an optional post conference trip to an Oaxaca community. The international gathering, themed Awakening Consciousness & Forming Alliances: Indigenous Peoples and Philanthropy, will focus primarily on Indigenous issues in Mexico & Central America and will bring donors and Indigenous leaders throughout the region and around the world to explore new ways to build true partnerships, provide real examples of best donor practices, and raise broader awareness of cultural, environmental and globalization issues. Call for Sessions are due August 15th and can be downloaded here.



All of these exciting events prove that now is the perfect time to join our expanding network of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples. Become a paid member today to take advantage of our unique services, like our newly implemented Members-Only Listserv and Members Forum. Click here for information on how to become a member and please note that the last day for submission of articles for the Spring/Summer newsletter is due July 1, 2007.

Ske:nen/Peace,
Evelyn Arce-White, M.A.T.
IFIP Executive Director





REPORTS & ARTICLES


Grantmaker Tool: Principles of Accountability for
International Philanthropy

The European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the US Council on Foundations (COF) announce the release of the jointly developed Principles of Accountability for International Philanthropy. Principles are the result of a two-year collaborative effort of a 14-member EFC-COF working group. To receive a copy click here.

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Report of the Fifth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues UN Headquarters, New York
May 15-26, 2006

This document by Seventh Generation Fund provides an overview of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues during May 15-26, 2006. The UNPFII is the place where Indigenous Peoples have a chance to come together, to share our struggles, and to speak in unity to the world about urgent and critical issues that challenge the health and vibrancy of Indigenous cultures and peoples of the world. more

Also check out www.7genfund.org for new media center on this year’s Permanent Forum that includes interviews and reports.

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Call for Literature on Intellectual Property Scenarios and Projections for a Ford Foundation Study

The report will address challenges faced by indigenous peoples and other local communities in different world regions in preserving their traditional knowledge and cultural heritage while participating in the benefits of innovation.The current Ford-commissioned study (undertaken from March through June 2007) focuses on IP scenarios and projections produced by a number of international and regional organizations, including civil society organizations, operating in the following four overlapping areas: Medicine, Traditional Knowledge, Knowledge and Education, Culture and the Arts. PIIPA and ISTEC invite any organization or individuals working in these areas to share any literature containing references to IP-related trends, projections or alternative future scenarios. If you are aware of any relevant documents produced by your organization or other organizations, please contact Alfredo Schwarz at aschwarz@istec.org and Program Director Ms. Tzen Wong tzenwong@piipa.org with copies, links or other guidance.




UPCOMING CONFERENCES


IFIP CONFERENCE EVENTS
Awakening Consciousness & Forming Alliances:
Indigenous Peoples & Philanthropy

Mexico and Central America
Regional Convening

 January 18-20, 2008
Querétaro, México

International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) Invites you to our first international gathering! Join donors as we gather together with indigenous leaders to learn about current issues facing the region: immigration, local migration, cross-border issues, language, culture, preservation of traditions, bio-cultural diversity and more.

Queretaro just north of Mexico City, was the original home of the Otomí people prior to colonization. A 350-meter monolith, watches over the entrance to the Sierra Gorda region, believed to be one of the world’s three largest, endowed by locals with spiritual powers. The historical colonial city offers brick-lined streets, museums, an18th-century aqueduct, beautiful arches and fountains; it is known as the site of major historical events such as planning of the revolution, signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and drafting of the modern constitution. Together, we will visit surrounding indigenous communities, Sierra Gorda and historical ruins with an optional post conference trip to an Oaxaca community..

Informative sessions on issues facing the region by funders and indigenous groups; Networking and Strategy sessions; Learning and discussion with indigenous leaders; Mexican history and culture; site visits to local indigenous communities. Call for Sessions are due August 15th and can be downloaded here. For more info visit internationalfunders.org or email.




FOR FUNDERS ONLY

European Foundation Center
18th Annual General Assembly & Conference

 June 1-3, 2007
Madrid, Spain

Sponsored by:
European Foundation Center


The world is facing an unparalleled set of challenges on a range of diverse issues that the current system of global problem-solving is ill-equipped to deal with. These challenges range from climate change and other environmental concerns to poverty to changing demographics and tensions over issues of culture and identity that threaten to jeopardize social order. The issues that foundations deal with cannot be addressed in isolation from today's global challenges - the current interconnectedness of today's world means it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is "local" and what is "global". These new global challenges require original and innovative thinking, both in terms of developing solutions and ensuring that such solutions are acted upon in such a way as to bring about real and lasting improvements. With their independence, ability to take a long-term view, wide range of experience, financial resources, leveraging powers and credibility that they bring to the table, foundations can play a central and catalytic role in this process. The dynamic content of the Conference is being shaped by the AGA and Conference Programme Committee, chaired by Pier Mario Vello of Fondazione Cariplo and features sessions proposed by your peers.

For more information, click here.


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Grantmakers Without Borders’ Annual
Conference on Global Giving

June 7-9, 2007
New York, NY


Register now for “Just Giving”, Grantmakers Without Borders’ annual conference on global giving! Globally minded foundations, individual donors and allies in philanthropy are warmly invited to attend Just Giving, Grantmakers Without Borders’ Seventh Annual Conference on Global Social Change Philanthropy. Gw/oB’s annual conference has become a must-attend event for international grantmakers concerned with strategic giving for lasting social change.

Conference participants will have more than 40 sessions to choose from, including:

  • General sessions to explore current hot topics such as micro-finance and ongoing challenges such as climate change
  • Breakout workshops on subjects like evaluating human rights grantmaking, sexual rights, non-profit capacity building, and grantmaking with a gender lens
  • A special track just for individual donors to assist them in entering the word of global giving
  • Ample time to network, share knowledge and build relationships with peers and allies.
This three-day conference will be held at several easily accessible locations in New York City from June 7th to 9th, 2007. For more information, see the attached document or visit www.gwob.net. Join us!


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"Funding Human Rights Defenders"
a Discussion with Front Line at the Rockefeller Foundation

2:30 - 4:00 PM
June 7, 2007
The Rockefeller Foundation 420 Fifth Avenue
(between 37th and 38th St.)
New York, NY

Please RSVP by Friday, May 25 to RFIRSVP@rockfound.org

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Defining Women's Philanthropy: Rich Conversations

June 18-20, 2007
Boston, MA

Sponsored by:
Women's Philanthropy Institute and
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University


The conference will be co-hosted by the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University . Engage in rich conversations, a kind of mosaic of ideas and perspectives, about the best practices in women's philanthropy.
For more information click here.

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Our Evolving Food System: Perspectives From the Heartland

June 25-28, 2007
Des Moines, Iowa

Sponsored by:
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders

The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders will host their annual funders event in Des Moines, Iowa. Sessions will include "Global Agripower: How Midwest corn and soy affect your health, wealth, and future of the planet;" the Federal Farm Bill; "Balancing the hunger for energy and protein: Ethanol and Livestock production;" and much more.
For a detailed program and more information, please visit their website at: www.safsf.org.

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Join a Funder Delegation to the first ever U.S. Social Forum
Building Progressive Alliances Nationwide and Globally

June 27-July 1, 2007
Atlanta, Georgia

Inspired by the World Social Forum and galvanized by the issues made prominent by Hurricane Katrina, the first ever US Social Forum will be held in Atlanta at the end of June. Funders concerned with issues as diverse as human rights, equity, the environment, poverty, community development, economic justice, immigration and social movement organizing are invited to participate in our delegation to this important gathering, that will bring funders and non-profits together for dialogue across issue areas.

By participating in the forum’s dozens of workshops, debates, cultural events and celebrations, we will better understand the hundreds of local, regional and national social movements that are increasingly becoming a factor in today’s globalized world.

For more information about the funder delegation, please contact:
Mark Randazzo, FNTG
(415) 642-6022
mark@fntg.org




OPEN TO ALL


The International Forum on Globalization
"Brown-Bag-Briefing" by Amazonian Indigenous Leader
Almir Suruí

12:30 pm
May 29, 2007
IFG Conference Room
San Francisco, CA


Recently featured in The Smithsonian magazine as “the Rain Forest Rebel,” Almir will talk about his work to protect the culture of the Suruí people and their traditional lands from illegal logging. Click here to read the article.

For more information contact:
Victor Menotti
International Forum on Globalization
1009 General Kennedy Avenue #2
San Francisco , CA 94129
Cel: +1-415-351-8065
Tel.: +1-415-561-3482


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2nd Annual North American Food Symposium

May 30-June 1, 2007
Wanuskewin & Travelodge Hotel/Conference Centre
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Click here to view the flier.

For more information contact:
Indigenous Peoples Program, Extension Division, University of Saskatchewan

Alex Munoz,
306-966-2027
alex.munoz@usask.ca

Priscilla Settee,
306-966-5556
priscilla.settee@usask.ca

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Human Networks and Information Sharing:
Future Trends & Challenges

June 6 and 7
Loja, Ecuador


This Seminar and International Forum will take place during the XVII General Assembly of ISTEC, which will take place June 6 and 7 in Loja, Ecuador.

For details see asambleaistec2006.org.

This seminar will focus on the role that information and communication, as the fundamental aspects of the “information society,” support planning and decision-making can play to support the development of human networks and information sharing in a global society. These aspects of the information society will be discussed through the lenses of the following thematic areas: 1) Indigenous cosmology and its importance in continental unity and integration, 2) Traditional knowledge and legal mechanisms to protect it, 3) Information sharing and the development of information repositories, 4) Human networks and the use of virtual environments, and 5) International covenants: its effects and implications in local community development. An international forum will follow this seminar, which will cover the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Law and Indigenous Human Rights, Indigenous Participation in the Implementation of Article 8(j) of the CBD, and the Limitation of Indigenous Peoples in the Implementation of the International Regimen.




Become an IFIP Member or Renew Your Membership. Download our new membership form,
PDF WORD
Looking for ways to help your grantees become successful grantseekers?
Order copies of the "Indigenous Peoples Funding and Resource Guide." IFIP Members receive a 30% discount.

click here

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GLOBAL PETITION

Global Petition on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
A strong and uplifting United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is urgently needed to establish minimum international standards to inspire and urge states and others to respect and uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples without discrimination. Click here for details.

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IN THE NEWS

 Mexico City
Tensions between indigenous people, governments and transnational corporations will grow in the second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, which began in 2005, say experts.
more

Continental Summit of Indigenous Nations, Peoples & Organizations
Thousands of Indigenous peoples from 24 countries gathered in Guatemala on March 26 for the Third Continental Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities of Abya Yala.
more

Read the Declaration of Iximche'
more

U.N. Forum: An Indigenous Point of View
Since May 14, basement level 1B has bustled with indigenous leaders who traveled from around the earth to join in the Sixth Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples.
more

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EMPLOYMENT
The Ford Foundation Program Officer
 Asset Building & Community Development Program Community & Resource Development
To apply for the position visit their website or send full application materials (consisting of substantive cover letter, c.v., and a 5-20 page sole-authored writing sample) to Ms. J. Graber at 320 E. 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, USA, by June 1, 2007.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Program Officer, Andes-Amazon Initiative
The foundation seeks a Program Officer to oversee a set of strategies within the Andes-Amazon Initiative, a long-term, collaborative initiative seeking to preserve the ecosystem function and representative biodiversity of the Amazon Basin. The Program Officer should have an advanced degree in conservation-related field or equivalent experience required and proven experience in the Andes-Amazon region. more

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Associate Program Officer
This position calls for experience working on conservation issues in Latin America, with experience in Mexico strongly preferred. Experience with coastal resource conservation or management is desirable. The complete job posting can be found at packard.org along with how to apply.




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