BSR Insight | Indigenous People and Business: Meeting Expectations
About the Author(s)
Chris Nolan, Associate Director, Advisory Services
Publication Date
October 13, 2009
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With 370 million indigenous people worldwide, international standards defining the basic rights of these people—including the ILO 169, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the International Finance Corporation's Performance Standard 7—are increasingly relevant for industries such as extractives, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
BSR will explore the nexus of indigenous rights and business at the BSR Conference 2009. We recommend that companies take the following steps to meet the growing international expectations:
- Identify how indigenous rights issues—including rights to self-determination and intellectual property—intersect with your business.
- Incorporate recognition, understanding, and respect for indigenous rights into your operations.
- Engage in a culturally informed manner with indigenous communities and local governments.
- Maintain free participation and transparency during consultations over land and resources.
- Establish clear commitments with and seek broad-based support from communities.
- Support the development of indigenous communities through programs, products, and services.
For more information, please contact Julia Nelson, Manager, Advisory Services, BSR.
About the Author(s)
Chris Nolan, Associate Director, Advisory Services
As manager of BSR's Energy and Extractives Practice in Asia, Chris co-leads the organization's work with mining, oil, and gas companies in the region... Read more →
Topics
Civil & Political Rights, Community Engagement & Development, Consumer Products, Economic Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Health Care, Mining
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