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The development of a bona fide biocultural community protocol (or other community-based
instrument for engaging external actors) …
… is a community endeavour that:
Is endogenous
Is empowering
Is based on communities’ values and procedures, while including the fullest and most
effective participation of community members
Promotes intra- and inter community dialogue, and intergenerational discussions
Fosters consideration of the interlinkages between social, economic and spiritual wellbeing
Explores the diversity of knowledge and skills in the community
Draws on the communities’ own resources and resilience
Further develops community collaboration on useful methodologies
… and focuses on and integrates:
The values and customs relating to their collective biocultural heritage
Current strengths, challenges and future plans
Their rights at the international and national levels that support their ways of life and their
corresponding duties
Messages to specific agencies about how they intend to …
… to produce a protocol that is:
Value laden
Presented in a form that is most appropriate for the community while effectively
communicating their key points to the relevant authorities / bodies …
… towards:
Establishing the community’s/ies’ rights and duties relating to their stewardship of their
collective biocultural heritage
Respect for and realization of procedural and substantive rights and responsibilities
Increasing their agency
Improving access to information, participation and/or justice
Improving dialogue with other communities or outside agencies
Further developing flexibility and adaptability
Promoting local social, environmental and economic equity …
… and where outsiders assist a community with any aspects of developing a protocol, they should
engage the community with:
Honesty
Integrity
Transparency
Respect
Social and cultural sensitivity to local processes and time-frames.
Box 6: Guiding principles for the development and use of biocultural community protocols