Degree Name
MA in Sustainable Development
First Advisor
Nikoi Kote-Nikoi
Abstract
In environmental conservation circles around the world, the contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities to the sustainable maintenance of ecosystems and natural resources are being given increased attention. Whether for cultural, spiritual, economic, or other purposes, the use of traditional and local knowledge of habitat and resource management is slowly making its way into the modern environmental movement, and is being incorporated into the dominant conservation paradigms. These managed areas, known as Indigenous and Community-Conserved Territories and Areas, or ICCAs, are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “natural and/or modified ecosystems containing significant biodiversity values, ecological services and cultural values, voluntarily conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities, through customary laws or other effective means”.
The ICCA concept constitutes a new way of thinking about environmental protection which incorporates preserving the human rights of indigenous peoples, which are explicitly enshrined in international law. After spending eight months working with a human rights NGO in Temuco, Chile, the author has focused on the ICCA concept for his capstone project, as it provides a solid combination of his practicum work and personal interests. Through participatory research and collaborative efforts of his Chilean and indigenous Mapuche colleagues, the author answers the research question, “What are the major benefits of ICCAs, and what are the principal barriers to their broader support and effective legal recognition in Chile?” Based on his findings, the author outlines a comprehensive project proposal that seeks to address the underlying issues that have served to marginalize indigenous peoples in Chile. Furthermore, the proposal also supports the appropriate legal mechanisms required to give ICCAs – and their indigenous and local stewards – formal recognition under Chilean law.
Disciplines
Agribusiness | Agricultural and Resource Economics | Biodiversity | Civil Rights and Discrimination | Environmental Law | Environmental Studies | Human Rights Law | Indigenous, Indian, and Aboriginal Law | International Humanitarian Law | International Law | Land Use Law | Latin American Languages and Societies | Latin American Studies | Law and Economics | Natural Resources Law | Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law | Water Law
Recommended Citation
Crowley, William G., "Protecting Ecosystems, Culture, and Human Rights in Chile Through Indigenous and Community-Conserved Territories and Areas" (2015). Capstone Collection. 2827.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/capstones/2827
Included in
Agribusiness Commons, Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Civil Rights and Discrimination Commons, Environmental Law Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Human Rights Law Commons, Indigenous, Indian, and Aboriginal Law Commons, International Humanitarian Law Commons, International Law Commons, Land Use Law Commons, Latin American Languages and Societies Commons, Latin American Studies Commons, Law and Economics Commons, Natural Resources Law Commons, Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law Commons, Water Law Commons