66 Anira and Peter Rose Sts., Queenstown, GeorgetownEmail: ind_pc@yahoo.comTelephone No.: (592) 231 – 5280Facsimile No.: (592) 231 - 5391

Building competence and promoting

rights of indigenous peoples

VALUE OF EXTRACTIVE MATERIALS

ECO-SYSTEM SERVICES / FOREST

Shifting dynamics

Current situation

• There are improvement that are evident, including transportation (regional roads and more regular air and boat service) and other public services in the hinterland. However the Amerindian community initiatives are limited to the interventions made by donors or technical advice agencies. The national and regional authorities have increased support to the Amerindians over the years, but the communities are currently not sufficiently organized to take advantage of this support.

Current situation

• Whilst there remain high level of concern and willingness among the national authorities and external agencies over the situation of the Amerindian peoples, the administration is also plagued with a number of critical human and other resources to address specific preferences and problems that are logistically distant and can be difficult.

Current situation

• One problem that has emerged from the type of donor assistance given to the communities is a culture of dependence on charity and gifts.

• This has undermined the willingness of the Amerindians to grapple with their situation and to find endogenous solutions to challenges of development.

Indigenous Peoples’ Commission

GUYANA’S Constitutional Reform in 1996 saw the creation of the “Rights Commissions”.

Section 212G of the Guyana Constitution states: “There are hereby established the following

Commissions…………….,

Goal: “….to strengthen social justice and the rule of Law.”

“Commission shall be independent, and shall discharge its functions fairly.”

“Establish mechanisms to enhance the status of indigenous peoples and to respond to their legitimate demands and needs.”

The Constitution mandates

“Within the next five years, IPC will have recommended, promoted and actively contributed to the implementation of relevant policies on rights, empowerment, consultative processes, training and technical assistance, protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of a more informed and more conscious Indigenous peoples. With stronger partnerships, more stable resources and improved services, IPC will be a fully recognized and respected commission representing IP’s rights.”

VISION

COMPETENT

Communities with various

strengths

Way of Thinking

Way of Working

Level 1

We are AWARE

Level 2

We React

Level 3:

We consciously

ACTLevel 4

We ACT systematically

/ continuously

Level 5

We ACT naturally