
Akwé: Kon guidelines
Developed in consultation with Indigenous Peoples, this document contains voluntary guidelines for the conduct of cultural, environmental and social impact assessments regarding developments proposed to take place on, or which are likely to impact on, sacred sites and on lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities.
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OVERVIEW
Purpose and approach
The Akwé: Kon Voluntary Guidelines provide a collaborative framework for incorporating cultural, environmental, and social considerations into the impact assessments of proposed developments. These voluntary guidelines aim to safeguard sacred sites and lands traditionally occupied by indigenous and local communities. Their objectives include ensuring the participation of affected communities, promoting the use of traditional knowledge, and mitigating negative impacts through appropriate measures. The guidelines emphasise adaptability to the scale and complexity of each development and advocate for early integration of these considerations into strategic environmental assessments.
Use of terms
Key terms are defined to support clarity in the assessment processes:
- Cultural impact assessment evaluates potential impacts on communities’ traditions, languages, and customs.
- Environmental impact assessment assesses effects on biodiversity and ecosystems.
- Social impact assessment examines potential effects on quality of life, employment, and social cohesion. The guidelines also highlight the importance of safeguarding traditional knowledge, including its ownership and intellectual property rights, as part of these assessments.
Procedural considerations
The assessment process consists of several stages:
- Notification and public consultation: Proponents must engage communities through accessible and multilingual notifications.
- Participation mechanisms: Communities, including women, youth, elders, and vulnerable groups, should be actively involved in decision-making.
- Impact analysis and mitigation: Adverse impacts must be identified, with alternatives or compensatory measures proposed. Mitigation measures should not be delayed due to scientific uncertainty, reflecting a precautionary approach.
- Monitoring and review: Continuous oversight of developments ensures adherence to agreed mitigation and environmental management plans.
Baseline studies form a critical component of the process, identifying key cultural, environmental, and social elements. These studies involve inventories of species, ecosystems, sacred sites, and traditional practices, forming the foundation for assessing impacts and changes.
Integration of cultural, environmental and social impact assessments
The guidelines advocate for a unified assessment process to capture the interconnected nature of cultural, environmental, and social impacts.
Specific areas of focus include:
- Cultural assessments: Impacts on sacred sites, customary laws, traditional knowledge, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
- Environmental assessments: Conservation of biodiversity, prevention of invasive species introduction, and reliance on traditional knowledge to identify significant resources.
- Social assessments: Impacts on gender roles, generational dynamics, health and safety, and social cohesion. The guidelines emphasise the importance of tangible benefits, such as job creation, income diversification, and equitable benefit-sharing.
General considerations
Key principles include:
- Obtaining prior informed consent from affected communities at every stage of the process.
- Promoting gender equity and recognising the significant role of women and youth in biodiversity conservation and traditional knowledge preservation.
- Establishing review and appeals mechanisms for dispute resolution.
- Respecting customary laws and intellectual property rights related to traditional knowledge, while ensuring transparency in all processes.
Ways and means
The successful implementation of these guidelines relies on:
- Strengthening the capacity of both assessment practitioners and indigenous communities through training on cultural, social, and biodiversity-related considerations.
- Incorporating cultural, environmental, and social considerations into national environmental impact legislation and strategic assessments.
- Encouraging the formulation of community development plans by indigenous communities, supported by governments or donor agencies.
- Establishing protocols to safeguard sensitive information and traditional practices during the development process.
Recommendations
Governments, development agencies, and stakeholders are encouraged to:
- Adapt the guidelines to national contexts while respecting international obligations.
- Provide financial, technical, and legal support for indigenous participation in all assessment phases.
- Promote collaborative planning and decision-making to achieve equitable and sustainable development outcomes.
- Ensure that tangible economic benefits, such as payment for environmental services and revenue-sharing mechanisms, accrue to indigenous communities.
Conclusion
This guideline offer a practical tool for integrating indigenous knowledge, cultural values, and community perspectives into development planning. By fostering collaboration and equitable benefit-sharing, these guidelines contribute to the broader goals of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development while protecting the rights and well-being of indigenous and local communities.