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NTC contracts consultant to develop draft of Free, Prior & Informed consent guidelines for Indigenous peoples
Kaieteur News- The National Toshaos Council (NTC) announced that it has contracted a consultant to develop a Draft Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) Guidelines for stakeholder engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).
In a statement released on Friday, the NTC shared that the consultant, Christell Chesney, through her services will implement Phase 1 of this critical project aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework to ensure meaningful engagement with IPLCs in alignment with national policies and international best practices.
“The consultancy will focus on mapping the processes required to adhere to FPIC principles as agreed upon by IPLCs and enshrined in national strategies, including the Constitution of Guyana and the Amerindian Act of 2006,” the NTC reported.
Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Derrick John and consultant Christell Chesney (NTC Photo)
The agency noted that these efforts will also draw on global standards, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), International Labour Organization conventions, and other human rights frameworks.
It should be noted that the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent is central to protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities by ensuring their full and informed participation in decisions affecting their lands, resources, and cultural heritage.
The Toshaos Council relayed that the guidelines will serve as a critical tool for aligning stakeholder engagement practices with these principles, fostering trust, respect, and collaboration between IPLCs and external stakeholders. Part of the contract, the consultancy is expected to carry out under the overall supervision of the NTC and an FPIC Working Group, which includes representatives from the NTC, government agencies, and Indigenous NGOs.
According to the release, the consultant will employ a multi-pronged approach, including desk reviews, workshops, and other stakeholder engagements, to identify best practices and develop acceptable procedures for effective engagement with IPLCs throughout the life cycle of projects, plans, or initiatives.
With this project having two phases, the NTC informed that it is committed to ensuring its successful completion and looks forward to the active participation of all stakeholders in the process. “Together, we can establish a framework that upholds the rights and dignity of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities,” the agency added.
(NTC contracts consultant to develop draft of Free, Prior & Informed consent guidelines for Indigenous peoples)
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- and Informed Consent, free, guidelines, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, Prior, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
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