BUILDING ABILITY TO INCREASE INDUSTRIAL PEOPLE AND COMMERCIAL INFORMATION

The Darwin Initiative project, ‘Integrating traditional knowledge into national policy and practice’, has been building capacity in indigenous communities to gain a deeper understanding of the issues and solutions for traditional knowledge, and to have a greater voice and representation in biodiversity management and protected areas. Equally important have been the project’s efforts to build capacity at the decision-making level. Communication between indigenous communities and decision makers has always been a challenge – sometimes simply related to logistics, or the lack of cultural understanding and language barriers.
More so, often marginalized by poverty or educational status, many may not think that indigenous communities would have much to contribute to decision-making processes. Well, as we have pointed out in the previous articles, this is certainly not the case. Indigenous people have unique values, knowledge and understanding of their lands and biodiversity. They have made, and can make, meaningful contributions, if given the opportunity.
It is therefore necessary for Government agencies, especially staff at all levels who engage with or support Amerindian communities in their work, to receive training. This needs to focus on topics, including the challenges facing communities, good examples of co-operation, methods of engagement, and local / international legislation and policies that support indigenous peoples’ rights and call for greater inclusion in processes making decisions.
Under the Darwin Initiative project, such a training course was developed and piloted in February 2019.
The training was well received, and participants from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Guyana Forestry Commission, and the Center for the Study of Biological Diversity concluded that the course provides much more understanding of how to work with indigenous people. They expressed a growing appreciation for consulting with the villages of Amerindia through video-mediated dialogues through the application of participatory video techniques. A training manual and other course resources will be available to use to provide training for professionals in all government agencies and other organizations to use to build the capacity of their staff in this area.
In addition, a consolidated database of all Amerindian related publications, videos and other related records in Guyana would help recognize the contribution of traditional knowledge to conservation, and allow for better analysis and reporting of progress in relation to conservation. with traditional knowledge and efforts to preserve it. use. Easier access to such resources or details of who to contact (in the case of sensitive information) can ensure that new research and projects are aimed at improving and building on work already done.
In next week’s article, we will continue to share information with you based on a National Traditional Information Action Plan (TKNAP) drafted for Guyana. If you would like to learn more about some of the work that the project has done in communities, visit the following website: https://cobracollective.org/tag/darwin/. Also, how do you feel about traditional knowledge and the role it plays in conservation? What do you think of the Traditional Knowledge Intelligence Action Plan for Guyana? Share your thoughts via 592 650 6632 (WhatsApp or SMS only).

You can also share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, ECEA C / O Program, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at : [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.