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C.
HOW ARE COMMUNITIES DOCUMENTING
DEVELOPING THEIR PROTOCOLS?
AND
Documenting and developing a biocultural community protocol is an empowering process driven by
community members themselves. A number of participatory methods can be used, including group
discussions, various types of mapping and
The community’s identity, story of origin, and
illustrations, audio/video interviews, role plays,
core values and norms
and locally appropriate monitoring and evaluation.
Relationships between culture, language,
The community members can then prioritize
spirituality, customary laws, resource use
issues, clarify messages to external actors, and
practices, traditional knowledge, and their
consolidate the information into an appropriate
territories and areas
format. Depending on whom it is directed towards
Customary institutions, decision-making
and for what purpose, the protocol could consist
processes, and other aspects of selfof, for example, a written document, digital or 3governance
dimensional maps, films, photographs, and theatre
Challenges and concerns and how the
performances. Whatever format is used, it should
community would prefer to address them
be meaningful to the community and should instill
a sense of pride and ownership over the process
Locally defined development plans and
priorities
and outcome.
Specific rights and responsibilities in
Each protocol is as unique and diverse as the
customary, national, and international law
communities who develop them. However, most
Specific calls to external actors
community protocols contain certain key themes
(see Box 5). Developing a strategy for putting the Box 5: Key themes illustrated in biocultural community
protocols
protocol into practice is a critical next step.
D.
HOW ARE COMMUNITIES USING THEIR PROTOCOLS?
The process of using a biocultural community protocol can involve a number of tools and stages, including
raising awareness amongst different communities and groups, engaging and negotiating with external
actors, and engaging in decision-making processes such as impact assessments and national policies. It
may also require efforts to prevent and resolve conflict.
Overall, communities are using their protocols to minimize the power asymmetries that often characterize
interactions with external actors and to bridge the gaps between different worldviews, values, laws, and
decision-making processes. They are using individual protocols in many different ways, including:
Influencing national and international agricultural laws and policies to recognize livestock keepers’
rights and farmers’ rights;
Reclaiming their plant genetic resources from gene banks;
Regulating external access to their genetic resources and traditional knowledge and ensure
equitable sharing of benefits;
Clarifying terms and conditions for engaging in market-based mechanisms such as payment for
ecosystem services, access and benefit sharing, and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
Forest Degradation (REDD);
Objecting to infrastructure development and extractive industries without their free, prior and
informed consent and full participation in impact assessments;
Increasing participation in the establishment, governance, and management of protected areas;
Seeking recognition of customary systems of resource governance and conservation;
Protecting sacred natural sites and groves against unwanted development;
Seeking support for customary livelihood practices such as artisanal mining and fishing;
Encouraging the use of ethical practices in the extraction and trade of biological resources; and
Regulating the activities of academic researchers according to customary values.