3. Implementation experiences
Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, it also felt that there was a lack
of clarity about the implications of the UN Declaration. It was decided to raise the issue at a
meeting between the Sámediggi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minutes, 15.12.2009).
3.2. Experiences and lessons learned
Another important feature of the biannual meetings is that they include a continuous process
of assessment and valuation of experiences and lessons learned in reference to the consultation procedures.
The first such assessment of experiences took place at the biannual meeting in June 2006,
based on the first 13 months of application of the consultation procedures. The Sámediggi
presented the following views on the initial experiences:
••
There had been several good consultation processes and more ministries had understood that the Sámediggi must be consulted with a view to reaching agreement.
••
The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion had been present at many of the meetings, which was regarded as positive and constructive for the dialogue between the
parties.
••
It was regarded as understandable and necessary that the ministries needed an inception phase to explore how best to incorporate consultations in their work procedures.
From the outset, however, they should be fully prepared with regard to the content of
the consultation procedures. Much time had been spent discussing the requirements
under the consultation procedures as such, rather than discussing the actual matters
for consultation.
••
Several ministries had argued that the procedures entailed additional work for them;
the same argument had been used to justify non-compliance with the procedures. The
parties were already aware of this consideration when agreeing on the consultation
procedures and they must therefore bear the consequences.
••
There had been cases in which the State authorities, after reaching agreement with
the Sámediggi, had made changes to the decisions afterwards. It is important that
persons holding consultations with the Sámediggi have the necessary institutional
anchorage and decision-making power.
••
There had been some examples of violations of the consultation procedures during
the initial year, and the Sámediggi expressed its hope that this practice would be corrected (Minutes, 30.06.2006).
The Ministry for Labour and Inclusion responded on behalf of the State authorities that:
••
The Ministry would follow up with those line ministries where the Sámediggi saw a
need for a better collaboration with regards to the consultations.
••
It was important that all parties involved knew when consultations were required and
when not. Consultations took time and, therefore, mistakes could occur.
••
It was to be welcomed that the President of the Sami Council had clearly stated that
consultations would not always lead to agreement.
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