The most experienced environmentalists excerpt
"A holistic approach toward the Earth and its resources - the very essence of indigenous peoples' philosophy - is rapidly being recognized as the cornerstone to sustainable development, a concept which became the key focus of debate, definition and agreement at last year's Earth Summit held in Rio. As counterpart to the declaration drafted in 1985 on the rights of indigenous people by the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations, are the new declarations and commitments resulting from the Rio Summit (Agenda 21 - a blue print for action), which esteem indigenous people as 'fundamental to economic recovery and recommends using their experience and knowledge in sustainable development.' In short, indigenous peoples will seemingly have a greater chance to codify their rights and legal protective status the more the international community recognizes and places value in their environmental sagesse so desperately needed as evidenced by the historic gathering of world leaders, NGO's, business executives, educators, students and grass-root workers at UNCED '92."
"It is clear from this brief analysis that the world can no longer afford to turn its back on indigenous peoples nor bypass their unique ability to work with nature and not against it. It is up to the international community to decide whether it will survive through inclusion of indigenous peoples and respect for the environment or perish through continued exclusion and exploitation. Let us heed the words spoken by an Indian leader from Brazil, "I am trying to save the knowledge that the forests and this planet are alive, to give it back to you who have lost this understanding." |
