Background

The Indigenous Peoples’ Foundation for Education and Environment (I.P.F) was officially established on 3 November 2005 in Thailand, registration number Chor Mor. 0027/2548, by a joint effort of indigenous peoples’ leaders and local academics. Its main aim at that time was to build capacity for indigenous peoples and to promote full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in a wide range of international policy processes relevant to them. These included, but were not limited to policy on forest and biodiversity conservation and management, and policy on climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. These activities were undertaken in close collaboration with the International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests and other partner organizations. In 2009, the I.P.F reviewed and adjusted its policy and programmes to be more community oriented in order to best serve the need of its target communities particularly on issues of indigenous peoples’ education, self-determined development and customary land use and natural resource management. The I.P.F’s currently worked with indigenous peoples in Thailand, such as Karen, Hmong, Mien, Lisu, Lahu and Akha. Experiences gained from indigenous peoples in Thailand will be shared and replicated to other indigenous groups in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), such as Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Vision
Indigenous peoples in the Greater Mekong Sub-region are aware and fully participate in the realization and protection of their distinct rights particularly on indigenous education and natural resource management.

Mission

• follow up policies and international processes particularly on education and environment relevant to indigenous peoples bring international policies/commitments into practice at regional, national and local level
• promote and develop an information centre on education and environment relevant to indigenous peoples build the capacity of indigenous organizations and leaders on human rights and environmental issues
• provide support and coordinate with indigenous organizations, indigenous networks and other relevant agencies in the GMS monitor policies and programmes on indigenous peoples’ education in the GMS
• Strategies
• Applying the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the general framework for implementation of project activities
• Strengthening the capacity of indigenous leaders and personnel to play key roles in different activities and issues
• Facilitating the free and flow of information between the indigenous organizations and relevant agencies
• Using multi-cooperation approach
• Emphasizing on full and effective participation of all involved sectors and ensuring gender balance
• Achieving sustainable development

Objectives

• to provide support to indigenous peoples in Thailand and the GMS on education and sustainable land use and natural resource management;
• to build capacity of indigenous peoples’ network in the GMS;
• to promote life quality and self-determined development to indigenous peoples in Thailand and the GMS;
• to promote and protect indigenous peoples’ rights and culture in Thailand and the GMS

Our Work
The work of the I.P.F is divided into four main programmes.

1. Documentation and information dissemination
   The I.P.F continues to compile and update government policies and plans that affect and are relevant to indigenous peoples, such as policy on education and natural resource management. The I.P.F will produce publications and use other media to promote indigenous peoples’ rights, such as books, leaflets, video, and community radio programmes. It will likewise maintain and update a website to disseminate information broadly.
2. Capacity building for indigenous organizations and communities
   The main aim is to further enhance the capacity of indigenous peoples on issues related to their needs and aspirations, such as community based climate change assessment, reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+), etc. This will help indigenous peoples to understand and find ways to tackle their own problems. Activities could be in the form of trainings, study visits, participation in international, regional, and national meetings.
3. Strengthening indigenous peoples’ network
   The IPF will support the establishment of national indigenous peoples’ networks in Thailand and in the GMS. This will serve as a platform for them to learn and share experiences and find appropriate solutions to their problems. Additionally, it’s also to strengthen solidarity among indigenous peoples in the region.
4. Policy advocacy
   The I.P.F is monitoring and participating in a few key processes that affect indigenous peoples’ rights and livelihoods at different levels

4.1) International and regional level, such as the CBD, UNFCCC, UNFF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and ASEAN

4.2) National and local level, namely protected areas, community land titling, REDD+, and education management system for highland indigenous peoples.

 

If you require further information please contact   IPF Secretariat

188/525 M.10, Kurusapha Village, Soi 21,
Sannameng Subdistrict, Sansai District,
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50210 Tel. +66 52 063113 Fax: +6652063113
Website: www.thai-ips.org