How to Use Globalization and Standard-Settings, In favor of Indigenous People

The afternoon session of the Plenary continued with the remaining part of interventions on the topic of indigenous people and globalization (4b). The delegates have generally agreed on the negative impact of globalization on their communities, paying particular attention to the detrimental effects of economic globalization on their peoples. Nearly all delegates stressed on the exploitation of transnational companies with regards to the communities' natural and human resources. For example, Ms. Ao (North East India Indigenous Population) pointed out that not only their resources are taken away, but also transnational companies adopt ancient symbols of indigenous people as labels. Mr. Ole Simel stated that the greed that manifests itself in the economic globalization of multinational companies destroys livelihoods, as well as customs and traditions of indigenous people. Moreover, delegates have complained about the loss of mother tongue, tradition, and the severe impact of the new world regime on women and children. Flor Morales stated that loss of traditional knowledge had a huge impact on the two most vulnerable groups: women and children.

However, delegates were careful to point out that it is not globalization that they reject, but that their consent is not asked in the decision-making, and thus they are only victims of consequences rather than be active agents and beneficiaries of globalization. On behalf of the Spanish Government Angelez Diaz stated that Spain as part of the European Union is committed through various projects to spread knowledge about policies that concern indigenous populations and thus promote dialogue between the majority and minority communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

After closing the discussion on item (4b), the plenary continued working on "Standard- Settings" identify as item 5 in the general agenda. This second part of the afternoon session was mainly divided in two parts: the presentation of Working Papers by Mrs. Matoc, Mr. Yocota and Mr. Martinez from the working group, followed by statements.

The first document presented was the one submitted by Mrs. Matoc. This document starts by highlighting the need to take into consideration the notion of standard-settings in the Indigenous People context. At first the author made a review of the sources of international law, recalling its important characteristic of "perpetual capacity for change". In relation to the linkage between international law and Indigenous People, she called to mind the existence of the ILO 169 Convention and other treaties that on an indirect or direct way where related to Indigenous People. Despite the theory that obstacles may exist in international law, improvements have been made. At the end of the article the expert finishes with a list of recommendations, some submitted by other experts, other by indigenous people them selves, on how the working group could be involved in the developing of standards. The recommendations seek in general not to repeat mistake done in the 90s.

The second Working Paper, submitted by Mr. Yokota, treated the subject of stand settings related to transnational companies which their activity had an impact on Indigenous People. This important subject, highly mentioned on the same afternoon under item (4b), recalls several discussion topics such as: Governments responsibilities in protecting Indigenous People form transnational actions, and the companies own responsibilities. The Working Paper dedicates one session to the energetic industry, and summaries the project of standard done by the Working group in 1999, which focused in equality and more global objectives of sustainable development.

Finishing with the Working papers presentations, the Chairman, Mr. Martinez, exposed a list of proposals of possible studies, which appear on the reports of the last 5 session (1997-2002) of the Working Group. The expert stated that particular attention should be given to, the impact of globalization, actual performance of monitoring mechanisms, and means of establishing effective-national mechanisms of conflict prevention.

After the presentations on the Working papers, the floor was given to the participants who voluntarily decided to make a statement. A significant participant contribution was the wish for a unique standard, which will prevent nations to impose things such as conflict involvement or use of GMOs.

By : Anna Magyarosi, Paula Bula, and Ousmane Deme

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