Territorial rights and local governance in the Colombian Amazon Martín von Hildebrand

klaus schwab , martín von hildebrand (rio de janeiro, 2009)

learning indigenous communities

an intense involvement environmental , indigenous issues began in 1970s after period living among tanimuka , letuama indigenous communities in colombian amazon, learning cosmology , traditional practices safeguarding environment.

for indigenous peoples of colombian amazon, forest habitat , means of survival, both aesthetic , spiritual importance. traditional knowledge, acquired on centuries of interaction surrounding environment, leads communities protect , sustain forest ecosystem. since 1950s, however, colombian amazon , indigenous peoples have suffered waves of colonization , exploitation: peasant refugees during time of la violencia ; colonists following in wake of petroleum exploration; economic booms rubber extraction, gold mining , illicit processing of coca; government , aid-agency sponsored resettlement , development programs. aside environmental devastation, indigenous people have suffered loss of traditional rights territory , sustainable livelihood options.

in 1972, hildebrand set amazon branch of colombian anthropological institute, in la pedrera, through able bring multi-disciplinary team of specialists (biologists, lawyers, anthropologists, doctors , educationists). essential principle in process local indigenous communities given real opportunity choose own path of development . had access information needed , freedom assess situation according own cultural view.

it within context hildebrand insisted single important mission commit himself, backing of indians, establishment of land rights on traditional territory. without future, traditions , forest faced destruction. single-mindedly hildebrand pursued goal @ every opportunity.

developing colombia s amazon policy

after brief departure colombia in 1979, complete doctorate in ethnology @ sorbonne, hildebrand returned work ministry of education , establish government policy on ethno-education.

in 1986, became head of indigenous affairs , advisor president virgilio barco vargas (1986–1990). provided important foothold encouraging government policy favorable indigenous rights. backing of president barco gave important impetus new political constitution , ratification of international labour organization convention no. 169, essential framework securing indigenous rights in colombia.

between 1986-1990 colombian government legally recognised 200,000 square kilometres of rainforest in colombian amazon region collective indigenous territory – resguardos (1). policy unprecedented move towards recognition of indigenous rights , important role of forest peoples in conservation of world s tropical rainforests.

as government representative in amazon pact, hildebrand pushed creation of special commission on indian affairs , on environment, giving ecological stance implementation of pact.

coama program

in 1990, hildebrand decided leave government become more directly involved in grassroots work in amazon. recognition of indigenous territorial rights was, in words of hildebrand, beginning of process. followed need work ensure indians had necessary backing administer territories according traditions.

hildebrand launched coama program, involving small network of ngos , indigenous organizations, , founded fundación gaia amazonas, non-government organization. coama has provided innovative approach towards working indigenous communities , developing self-governance basis tropical forest preservation. has been commended world commission on forest , sustainable development, , funded european commission , governments of denmark, netherlands , sweden.

hildebrand started trans-boundary initiative, canoa, indigenous organizations , ngos active in northwest amazon region, protect 700.000km2 of continuous , well-preserved tropical forest across region colombia, brazil , venezuela.