101
C.
INTERNATIONAL LAWS AND POLICIES
KEY TOOLS
E-learning modules on relevant legal
frameworks
Activity monitoring table
Assessing key opportunities and threats
Framework for research and action
Identifying key actors
Understanding relationships between key
actors
Forum theatre
Multi-stakeholder role play
Legislative theatre
Identifying appropriate forms of resource
mapping
Participatory video
Photo stories
Audio interviews
Identifying relevant social media tools
There are a variety of international processes that affect Indigenous peoples, local communities, and their
territories and areas (see Table 20 at the end of this sub-section). These processes involve negotiations
between governments and result in international law, which is comprised of a range of legal instruments
such as treaties, declarations, resolutions, recommendations, policies, programmes of work, and plans of
action. Their implementation is supported by inter-governmental organizations such as the United Nations
Environment Programme.
International processes can initially seem painfully slow and far removed from the daily realities of
community life. However, they can have a large influence on individual countries’ laws and policies, which
in turn directly impact communities at the local level. It is thus critical for community members to
participate strategically to ensure that the concerns and priorities outlined in their protocols are
effectively represented. Engaging in international processes should be seen as a long-term investment
that can yield potentially significant gains, particularly when these gains are actively used at the national
and sub-national levels.
Identify relevant
forum or process
Seek more
information about
the process
Discuss priorities and
strategies for
engagement with
your community
Connect with other
community and civil
society organizations
Make a submission
to the Secretariat
and/or apply to host
a side event
Apply to Secretariat
for accreditation and
financial assistance
Participate in the
process
Report back to your
community about
outcomes
Develop strategy for
further engagement
in process and at
(sub-)national level
Figure 22: Overview of steps for engaging in international negotiations
There are a number of steps involved in participating in international processes, outlined in Figure 22
above. Since many community and civil society organizations that have gone through these steps before,
you could connect with them to seek guidance and information about their experiences. After gaining