BSR Insight | Effective Informed Consent Policies for Indigenous Peoples
About the Author(s)
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
Publication Date
May 18, 2010
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According to a new report commissioned by the Canadian oil and gas company Talisman, the long-term benefits of securing the free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) of indigenous peoples potentially impacted by operations outweigh challenges such as identifying relevant indigenous peoples, defining an appropriate negotiation process, and working inside countries with unsupportive governments.
To implement a successful FPIC policy, the report recommends:
- Embedding FPIC principles within a broader community-engagement policy
- Designing projects that avoid resettlement
- Informing indigenous communities that they can reject a proposed project
- Formally agreeing upon and recording the process for determining consent
- Incorporating traditional indigenous decision-making procedures into the consent process
- Complying with national laws and regulations when defining the consent process
- Continually engaging with the indigenous community in order to maintain consent
For more information on BSR's work with indigenous communities, contact Julia Nelson.
About the Author(s)
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
With four years of sustainability communications expertise, Elissa works with BSR member companies in a range of sectors—including those in information and communications technology; food, beverage, and agriculture; energy; and consumer products—on various sustainability issues including reporting, stakeholder engagement, and human rights... Read more →
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