CSOs
Regular follow-up, communication and support.
CSOs working on IP land rights should support (or
keep supporting) the noticeable rise in community
demand for empowerment activities as well as the
recognition by IPs of their central role in managing
advocacy agendas, development, networks and
social transformation within their community (as
articulated by some IRAM members interviewed
for the purposes of this study). Additionally,
CSOs should further encourage mobilization and
organization at the community level and seek out
and identify community leaders (Hutchinson, et.
al., 2008).
Forging closer links with IRAM and other
grassroots IP organizations. The Land and
Livelihood Program (LLP) network is not equally
strong across the country – there are provinces
where the network is weaker. In order to fill that
gap and enable the CSOs in the LLP network
to be effective and responsive to the needs of
indigenous communities, closer links should be
forged with grassroots IP organizations, like IRAM.
Slight adjustment of CSO-led education initiatives
for IP. It is of great importance for NGOs leading
the awareness raising and education among IP
communities not to forget to build on traditional
cultural knowledge and role of traditional
authorities.
Upscaling use of social media. The power of
social media should not be underestimated by
the CSOs in the LLP network. Many successful
advocacy campaigns were born online and, with
the change in the way we share information and
access news, a Facebook or Twitter presence
seems an absolute must for NGOs that want to
reach out to a global audience.
Better awareness and understanding of IPs by
some CSO workers. For all CSOs working with IP
communities, it is important to consider carefully
the role they play and approaches they employ.
What may be fairly straightforward for a national
Cambodian organization in other parts of
Cambodia will require a deeper level of reflection
in IP areas, as the organization, program and staff
are challenged to understand development from
the perspective of indigenous peoples.
Donors
Do no harm. Donors need to make sure that the
development projects they are funding are not
undermining the land rights and other human
rights of IP communities.
Use donor leverage. Donors are often in a much
better position than NGOs to raise concerns over
human rights abuses of IPs with the RGC because
of their financial relationship with the authorities.
Use human rights standards when negotiating
with RGC. Use relevant international instruments
and treaties as standards when negotiating with
the Cambodian government, including trade
issues as well as loan and project assistance.
Build skills and knowledge. Donors should
support university scholarships for training IP
teachers and other professionals, fund culturally
supportive education in local languages as well
as encourage female IP education, so that they
can later represent the land rights and customary
rights interests of their communities (Alcorn,
2001).
Support communication and networking of IPs.
Donors should support networking and other
opportunities for IPs to share their experiences
Lok Niti
43
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