Participation and Indigenous Peoples

The characteristics of indigenous groups
make participatory approaches especially critical to
safeguarding their interests int he development process.
Such approaches, recognizing the right of indigenous peoples
to participate actively in planning their own futures, are
supported by major donors and international organizations,
including the World Bank, but have proved very difficult to
implement. They call for changes in attitudes, policies and
legislation to address the key issues: recognizing rights to
land and nautral resources, ensuring culturally appropriate
procedures for consultations and communication; and building
on the strengths of traditional lifestyles and institutions.