Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

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Preserving, strengthening and promoting Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems and traditional practices for sustainable food systems - HLPE-FSN consultation on the scope of the report

Focus area: Enhancing equity and inclusiveness in agriculture and food systems

During its 51st plenary session (23-27 October 2023), the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) adopted its four-year Programme of Work (MYPOW 2024-2027), which includes a request to its High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) to produce a report on “Preserving, strengthening and promoting Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems and traditional practices for sustainable food systems” to be presented at the 54th plenary session of the CFS in October 2026.

The text of the CFS request, as included in the MYPOW 2024-2027, is as follows:

Rationale: Indigenous Peoples’ agricultural and food systems are intimately tied to nature and are capable of providing food and nutritional security whilst restoring ecosystems and maintaining biodiversity. This was recognized by the scientific group of the UN Food Systems Summit, which led to the creation of the Coalition on Indigenous Peoples’ food systems. 

Traditional knowledge clearly contributes to the enhancement of the sustainability of agriculture and food systems. FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) provide a good example of how to support traditional systems and demonstrate the wealth they can provide at social, economic and environmental levels. Since 2002, GIAHS has designated 62 systems in 22 countries as agricultural heritage sites. These represent diverse natural landscapes and agricultural practices that create sustainable livelihoods and food security in rural areas while combining biodiversity, resilient ecosystems, traditions and farmer innovations in a unique way. 

The 2022 HLPE-FSN Note on Critical, Emerging and Enduring Issues for Food Security and Nutrition reports that Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge systems are becoming more widely appreciated as methodologically, substantively and contextually strong and they address current contemporary agricultural and food system challenges through insights on socioecological mechanisms and interactions within food generation environments. Additionally, there is great value in acknowledging and striving to foster the connection between modern, scientific practices and traditional knowledge systems. 

Despite their centrality, Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems, and traditional knowledge and practices are undervalued and under unprecedented risk of disappearance. One of the main challenges is that Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems, and traditional knowledge and practices are either misunderstood or unknown, which often result in incomplete or inadequate policy tools. To this end, it is critical to establish a political willingness and leadership to increase Indigenous People's participation in the policy making processes. 

This thematic workstream will benefit from the comparative advantage of the CFS to offer an inclusive and intergovernmental platform for global coordination and policy convergence, which will bring together policy makers, scientific international communities, UN Agencies and Indigenous Peoples. 

Objectives and expected outcomes: The objective of the workstream is to create a set of focused, action-oriented policy recommendations on “Preserving, strengthening and promoting Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems and traditional practices for sustainable food systems to achieve FSN” as a key means of achieving the CFS vision, SDG2, and an array of other SDGs, including SDGs 1, 10, 12, 13 and 15. The workstream will benefit from the findings and recommendations of an HLPE-FSN report on the topic.

Overview

This scoping paper draft addresses Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems’ solutions to enhance food security and nutrition (FSN) and contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The scope covers preserving, strengthening and promoting these systems and practices in a rights-based policy framework to develop and present a set of focused, action-oriented policy recommendations. 

Indigenous Peoples have deep and enduring connections, along with inherent and granted roles and rights, related to food systems, knowledge systems and traditional practices. Unique and sophisticated food systems-related knowledge is possessed by Indigenous Peoples, much of which is undocumented and therefore un- or under-utilized. Even when it is documented, indigenous knowledge is often overlooked and rarely recognized as having scientific value, resulting in its exclusion from published literature.

The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) has been analyzing issues related to Indigenous Peoples and indigenous knowledge in all its reports, and with increasing frequency in recent years. Sustainable Forestry for Food Security and Nutrition (2017) makes ten recommendations specific to Indigenous Peoples. Integration of transdisciplinary science and indigenous knowledge in participatory innovation processes that transform food system is recommended in the 2019 HLPE-FSN Report, Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. In the 2022 HLPE-FSN Note on Critical, Emerging and Enduring Issues for Food Security and Nutrition, the need to build meaningful interfaces for diverse knowledge and practices is emphasized. It states that Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge systems are methodologically, substantively and contextually strong, and can contribute to evidence-based agricultural and food system policies and programmes, and deliver solutions, across important dimensions of FSN.

Much has been documented on the consequences for Indigenous Peoples when separated from their traditional food systems. Those consequences include food insecurity, malnutrition[1], loss of food biodiversity, and opportunity-loss for transforming food systems to be more resilient and sustainable (Kuhnlein et al., 2009, 2013). The 2023 HLPE-FSN report on Reducing inequalities for food security and nutrition, recommends that policy and legislation should be informed by indigenous knowledge and related data, to broaden the spectrum of evidence for FSN policy and action, and address the systemic inequalities disproportionately affecting Indigenous Peoples.

Reviewing, consolidating, and presenting FSN recommendations from relevant sectors and disciplines will bring much needed attention to policy imperatives for achieving the CFS vision and the SDGs; and for advancing progress on realizing the right to food and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Consultations on this scope and on the development of the full report will be held with a comprehensive range of rights-holders and stakeholders. Beneficiaries of the report will be Indigenous Peoples and the wider global community, through the CFS. 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

While drafting the report, HLPE-FSN experts will adhere to the following guiding principles, in addition to the established HLPE-FSN working procedures, to ensure legitimacy among stakeholders and maintain a high degree of scientific quality:

  1. The rights-based policy framework includes the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the right to food, and the rights of nature, along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
  2. Consistent with the wording of the CFS request, and in respect of the position of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and that of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the focus on ‘food and knowledge systems’ will be Indigenous Peoples exclusively (i.e., it will not include terms such as ‘local communities’)[2]. 
  3. The report will be focused on Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems, as elaborated in the CFS MYPOW. 
  4. The report will also address traditional knowledge and practices covering those from cultures and communities with heritages and legacies of place (e.g., local communities), and those designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)). 
  5. A review of relevant policy recommendations from a range of scientific and intergovernmental processes will be conducted. 
  6. Relevant text and recommendations from previous HLPE-FSN reports will be reviewed, updated, and corrected as appropriate.
  7. Current disparate, conflicting, contradictory, and controversial issues will be addressed, along with ramifications, repercussions and unintended consequences for Indigenous Peoples from unrelated, and/or well-meaning policies and processes.
  8. Recommendations will be directed to CFS, UN agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, national and local governments, academia and research sector, and Indigenous Peoples’ mechanisms and governing bodies as rights’ holders. 
  9. All consultations, content of the report, and especially all recommendations, will respect Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), principles of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS, 2011), and sovereignty issues around food and information. 

KEY QUESTIONS TO GUIDE THE E-CONSULTATION ON THE SCOPE OF THE HLPE-FSN REPORT

1. Do you agree with the guiding principles indicated above?
2. Should the objectives include mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples food and knowledge systems, and lessons learned from them, for the benefit of all, or solely for the benefit of Indigenous Peoples as rights holders?
3. What are the challenges related to Free, Prior and Informed Consent and Access and Benefit Sharing when widely promoting and/or mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples food and knowledge systems?
4. How can the report ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, sustainability, and protection against commercialization risks for Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems?
5. How should oral knowledge and traditions be documented and referenced in the development of the report?
6. What dimensions linked to Indigenous Peoples’ agency, e.g., in governance issues, could be addressed?
7. Are there important/relevant policy papers and instruments missing from the foundational documents list?
8. Could you please indicate relevant references that should be taken into account?
9. What best practices, ethical standards, and strategies for addressing climate change should be highlighted in the report?
10. Which best practices or strategies to promote cross-cultural understanding should be highlighted in the report?
11. Are the previous legal documents such as Prior and Informed Consent, enough in light of this evolution of thinking about Indigenous People’s knowledge, or do they need to be revised?

The results of this consultation will be used by the HLPE-FSN to elaborate the report, which will then be made public in its V0 draft for e-consultation, and later submitted to peer review, before finalization and approval by the HLPE-FSN drafting team and the Steering Committee.

We thank in advance all the contributors for reading, commenting and providing inputs on the scope of this HLPE-FSN report. The comments are welcome in English, French and Spanish languages.

This e-consultation is open until 13 December 2024.

The HLPE-FSN looks forward to a rich consultation!

Co-facilitators:

Paola Termine, HLPE-FSN Coordinator ad interim, HLPE-FSN Secretariat

Silvia Meiattini, Communications and outreach specialist, HLPE-FSN Secretariat 

[1] Malnutrition relates to a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of energy and other macro and micronutrients.

[2] The Permanent Forum reiterates its call at its twenty-first session for a clear distinction between Indigenous Peoples and local communities. All United Nations entities and States parties to treaties concerning the environment, biodiversity and climate are encouraged to eliminate the use of the term “local communities” in connection with Indigenous Peoples, so that the term “Indigenous Peoples and local communities” would be abolished (Report of the 22nd Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (with Oral Amendments), 2023).

The Permanent Forum reiterates the position of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, namely that it is unacceptable to undermine the status and standing of Indigenous Peoples by combining or equating them with non-indigenous entities such as minorities, vulnerable groups or local communities. Such attempts, whether by States or United Nations entities, are not acceptable and will be challenged by Indigenous Peoples and those mandated to defend their rights. The Permanent Forum urges all United Nations entities and States parties to treaties concerning the environment, biodiversity and the climate to eliminate the use of the term “local communities” in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples, so that the term “indigenous peoples and local communities” would be abolished (Report on the Twenty-First Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 2022). 

Foundational documents and principles

  1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. For the first time, it sets out fundamental human rights to be universally protected. Article 25: 1 states: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food… Full text: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

  2. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP): This Declaration, adopted in 2007, provides a global framework for efforts to protect and advance Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including food and knowledge systems. It recognizes that respect for Indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contribute to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment; and that Indigenous Peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, as well as the manifestations of their sciences, technologies and cultures. Coverage includes human and genetic resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of the properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literatures, designs. Full text: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf

  3. Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security (Right to Food): The objective of the Right to Food, adopted by the FAO in 2004, is to provide practical guidance to States to achieve food security and nutritional adequacy for all. It recognizes that foods, diets and eating habits are vital to people’s cultures and traditions. Indigenous Peoples are identified as deserving special consideration in the context of access to resources and assets, land, and genetic resources for food and agriculture. Full text: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/307a8e6b-c478-49ba-8a29-f97c825d5770/content

  4. Voluntary guidelines on the responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests in the context of national food security (VGGT): These Guidelines, endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security in 2012, call upon the States to recognize and protect the legitimate tenure rights of Indigenous Peoples and to consider adapting their policies and legal and organizational frameworks to Indigenous Peoples’ tenure systems, with the goals of food security, the right to adequate food, environmental protection, and more. Indigenous Peoples are identified as deserving special consideration; other groups are also listed (e.g., local communities). Full text: https://www.fao.org/4/i2801e/i2801e.pdf

  5. Rights of Nature (RoN): Rights of Nature is a legal instrument that describes inherent rights of ecosystems and species to have the same protection as people and corporations; that ecosystems and species have legal rights to exist, thrive and regenerate. In at least twelve countries, and several sovereign territories within countries, have enacted laws protecting rights for nature; many more countries are in the process of developing legislation. Indigenous worldviews align with and have accelerated the development of rights of nature law. https://www.garn.org/rights-of-nature/

  6. Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues (GIPI): The purpose of GIPI is to assist the United Nations system in mainstreaming and integrating Indigenous Peoples’ issues in processes for operational activities and programmes at the country level. Full text: https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/UNDG_guidelines_EN.pdf

  7. Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (C-169): This ILO convention, adopted in 1989, recognizes the rights of Indigenous Peoples within the nation-States where they live; their right to land, natural resources, and full participate in decision-making. It defines responsibilities of governments to protect these rights. Full text: https://www.refworld.org/legal/agreements/ilo/1989/en/19728

  8. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: This 2022 COP decision highlights the relationship and roles of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as custodians of biodiversity and as partners in its conservation, restoration and sustainable use. It specifies and reiterates in its targets that traditional knowledge, innovations, worldviews, values and practices of Indigenous and local communities are respected, documented and preserved. Full text: https://www.cbd.int/doc/decisions/cop-15/cop-15-dec-04-en.pdf

  9. Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity, also simply known as the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), Convention on Biological Diversity United Nations Environmental Programme, 2011: This protocol is an international agreement on the fair and equitable access to genetic resources and sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It notes the interrelationship between genetic resources and traditional knowledge, the importance for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components, and for the sustainable livelihoods of these communities. It makes note of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. [Note: this document uses the phrase, “indigenous and local communities,” as do most treaties and guidelines from the CBD.]  Full text: https://www.cbd.int/abs/doc/protocol/nagoya-protocol-en.pdf

  10. Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC): FPIC is a specific right, recognized in the UNDRIP and ABS, which allows Indigenous Peoples to provide or withhold/ withdraw consent, at any point, regarding projects impacting their territories; and to engage in negotiations to shape the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects. 

  11. The White/Wiphala Paper on Indigenous Peoples’ food systems: This paper, published as a contribution to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, addresses Indigenous Peoples foods, food systems, and traditional knowledge, and how they contribute to resilience and sustainability of food systems worldwide. It presents the perspective that Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge is evidence-based; i.e., it has methodological, substantive and contextual strengths equal to or indeed beyond those of many (dominant) scientific study designs. Full text: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3462ba89-ea23-4d49-a3bf-e64bdcc83613/content

  12. Indigenous Youth Global Declaration on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems: This paper, delivered and published in 2021, presents perspectives and actionable recommendations on respecting, preserving and revitalizing Indigenous Peoples food and knowledge systems, and traditional diets and practices. Full text: https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/faoweb/2021/Indigenous/EN_Indigenous_Youth_Global_Declaration_on_Sustainable_and_Resilient_Food_Systems.pdf

  13. Local Biodiversity Outlooks 2: This 2020 report highlights the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in providing nature-based solutions for conserving, protecting and sustainably using biodiversity through traditional knowledge and practices. They highlight the effective transformations needed for recognizing and respecting diverse ways of knowing and being, revitalizing Indigenous and local food systems, tackling environmental crises, and inclusive decision-making. Full text: https://localbiodiversityoutlooks.net/publications/

Additional references

Azam-Ali, S. et al. (2023). Marginal Areas and Indigenous People Priorities for Research and Action. In: von Braun, J., Afsana, K., Fresco, L.O., Hassan, M.H.A. (eds) Science and Innovations for Food Systems Transformation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15703-5_14

FAO and Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. (2021). Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: Insights on sustainability and resilience from the front line of climate change. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb5131en

FAO. (2016). Free Prior and Informed Consent: An indigenous peoples’ right and a good practice for local communities: Manual for project practioners. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/8a4bc655-3cf6-44b5-b6bb-ad2aeede5863/content

HLPE. (2017). Nutrition and food systems. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. https://www.fao.org/cfs/cfs-hlpe/publications/hlpe-12 www.fao.org/cfs/cfs-hlpe

HLPE. (2017). Sustainable forestry for food security and nutrition A report by The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. https://www.fao.org/cfs/cfs-hlpe/publications/hlpe-11/en

HLPE. (2019). Agroecological and other innovative approaches/ A report by The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. https://www.fao.org/cfs/cfs-hlpe/publications/hlpe-14

HLPE. (2022). Critical, emerging and enduring issues for food security and nutrition. A report by The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. https://www.fao.org/3/cc1867en/cc1867en.pdf

HLPE. (2023). Reducing inequalities for food security and nutrition. A report by The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. https://www.fao.org/cfs/cfs-hlpe/publications/hlpe-18

IFAD. (2022). Sustainable and resilient Indigenous Peoples’ food systems for improved nutrition No Title. https://www.ifad.org/digital-toolbox/indigenous-peoples-food-systems/features.html

Kuhnlein, H., Erasmus, B., & Spigelski, D. (2009). Indigenous Peoples’ food systems: the many dimensions of culture, diversity and environment for nutrition and health. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and CINE. https://www.fao.org/4/i0370e/i0370e.pdf

Kuhnlein, H., Erasmus, B., Spigelski, D., & Burlingame, B. (2013). Indigenous Peoples’ food systems and well-being: interventions and policies for healthy communities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and CINE. https://www.fao.org/4/i3144e/i3144e.pdf

UN General Assembly. (2015). Right to Food. General Assembly Seventieth Session, A/70/287. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Food/A-70-287.pdf

UNEP. (1992). Convention on biological diversity. https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/8340;jsessionid=EF1F228DCABD0D7B5DC72F68338975A9

UNESCO. (2018). UNESCO policy on engaging with Indigenous Peoples. In United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000262748/PDF/262748eng.pdf.multi

United Nations. (2015). The UN Sustainable Development Goals.

UNPFII. (2022). Report on the Twenty-First Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Pub. L. No. E/2022/43-E/C.19/2022/11, United Nations, Economic and Social Council. https://social.desa.un.org/issues/indigenous-peoples/unpfii/unpfii-twenty-first-session-25-april-6-may-2022

UNPFII. (2023). Report of the 22nd Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (with Oral Amendments), E/2023/43-E/C.19/2023/7. https://social.desa.un.org/issues/indigenous-peoples/unpfii/unpfii-twenty-second-session-17-28-april-2023

World Health Assembly. (2023). The health of Indigenous Peoples. 76th World Health Assembly WHA76.16 Agenda item 16.3. https://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2020-043

WB, The Indigenous Peoples' Resilience Framework: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/4cafc3a906669ba0d34d4a39dc903472-0090012024/indigenous-peoples-resilience-framework-executive-summary

Please note that in parallel to this scoping consultation, the HLPE-FSN is calling for interested experts to candidate to the drafting team for this report. The call for candidature is open until 16 December 2024. Read more here

 

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To ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, sustainability, and protection against commercialization risks for Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems, the report can incorporate the following strategies:

  1. Engagement and Participation: Actively involve Indigenous communities in the report's development through consultations, workshops, and participatory research methods. This ensures their voices, needs, and perspectives are central to the findings.
  2. Cultural Sensitivity: Recognize and respect the cultural significance of Indigenous food systems and knowledge. Incorporate traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) alongside scientific approaches to enhance sustainability practices.
  3. Legal Protections: Recommend legal frameworks that protect Indigenous intellectual property rights over traditional knowledge and food systems, preventing unauthorized commercialization and exploitation.
  4. Sustainable Practices: Highlight and promote sustainable agricultural practices that Indigenous communities use, ensuring that these methods are documented and valued.
  5. Capacity Building: Support training programs for Indigenous communities that enhance their ability to manage and protect their food systems and knowledge from external pressures.
  6. Policy Recommendations: Advocate for policies that prioritize the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples, ensuring they have a say in decisions that affect their lands and resources.
  7. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish mechanisms to monitor the impact of any commercial activities on Indigenous food systems, ensuring accountability and adaptive management.
  8. Intersectional Analysis: Address the intersection of various forms of marginalization (e.g., gender, socio-economic status) within Indigenous communities to ensure comprehensive inclusion.

By implementing these strategies, the report can contribute to the resilience of Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems while safeguarding against commercialization risks.

Indigenous food systems are a crucial repository of traditional knowledge and biodiversity, playing a vital role in sustainable diets and food security (Kuhnlein, Eme & Larrinoa, 2019). These systems are rooted in cultural practices and spirituality; they are resilient to climate change, epidemics, and nutritional issues (Swiderska, Argumedo, Wekesa, Ndalilo, Song, Rastogi & Ryan, 2022). Despite contributing positively to diets, Indigenous Peoples are facing significant threats to their food systems from environmental degradation, marginalization, and loss of traditional knowledge. It is important to recognize that understanding indigenous peoples' sustainable food systems respects cultural heritage and ecological integrity. An examination of Indigenous food systems must focus not only on sustenance but also on encompassing a wealth of traditional knowledge that has been passed down through generations. It is worth noting that the indigenous food system operates within a framework of biodiversity, utilizing local plants and animals in a way that enhances ecosystem resilience. The HLPE-FSN consultation emphasizes the need to include indigenous perspectives in food policy frameworks, advocating for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples as guardians of biodiversity and promoters of sustainable practices.

Advancing Indigenous knowledge systems should be actively integrated into food policies at all levels, both nationally and internationally. This means that Indigenous Peoples should be encouraged to participate in global decision-making while acknowledging their rights to their lands and resources. Integrating Indigenous communities’ ownership will lead to innovative solutions for sustainable food security and climate change (Kuhnlein & Chotiboriboon, 2022). There is a need for global institutions such as the UN to develop a comprehensive approach that values Indigenous practices to enhance food sovereignty, promoting resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Finally, the HLPE-FSN consultation offers a crucial platform for supporting the integration of Indigenous understanding into modern food systems, highlighting the importance of cultural diversity in achieving global food security and sustainability.

References 

Kuhnlein, H.V., Eme, P.E. and Larrinoa, Y.F. (2019). Indigenous food systems: contributions to sustainable food systems and sustainable diets. Sustainable diets: linking nutrition and food systems.

Swiderska, K., Argumedo, A., Wekesa, C., Ndalilo, L., Song, Y., Rastogi, A. and Ryan, P. (2022). Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems and Biocultural Heritage: Addressing Indigenous Priorities Using Decolonial and Interdisciplinary Research Approaches. Sustainability.

Kuhnlein, H.V., & Chotiboriboon, S. (2022). Why and How to Strengthen Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems with Examples from Two Unique Indigenous Communities. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

See the attachments:

I present an example of the incorporation of indigenous (in this case Māori) world views, concepts and framing into eating and wellbeing guidelines. The Manaora (literally high status of health) Rangatahi (youth) Eating and Wellbeing Guidelines were co-created with Māori youth and peer-tested. They consist of 10 health eating guidelines and 10 wellbeing guidelines (physical activity, sleep, screen time, mental health) incorporating Māori concepts such as 'mauri' (life force) and turangawaewae (a place to belong and feel safe, carrying rights and responsibilities), Māori terms (eg kai, food; whanau, family) and uplifting framing, such as proclaiming Tihei Hauora, Tihei Mauri Ora (celebrating wellbeing and the life force of health) and finishing with a Whakatoki or aspirational saying. The social and environmental aspects of eating and wellbeing are prominent, and all messages are accompanied by detailed explanations and video clips featuring the youth themselves. 

These co-created guidelines are far superior to the official government guidelines for youth and dissemination approaches are currently being tested. (google manaora guidelines Nourishing Hawkes Bay)

See the attachments:

Dear colleagues

I am happy to read the contributions so far!! Indeed, indigenous and local peoples, across the globe and diverse ecosystems, have adopted a plethora of strategies for addressing family food securities.

For example, rural Bangladeshi households follow the well-established tradition of ‘’musti chaul’’ – of keeping back one fistful of dry rice each time a meal was cooked, to hold against lean times, to have ready when a beggar called, or to donate to the mosque or temple when called on to do so.

Women being the key strategist of ensuring food security of the family, policies need to pay enough attention and focus on their needs and priorities. Strategies supporting their efforts to save food or the income from sale of crops and livestock need to be tailored to the ‘’seasonalities’’ which affects many rural communities (See HARVEST TIME SAVING draft that our team is proposing). (attached) 

 https://isstdelhi-my.sharepoint.com/personal/akila_isstindia_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fakila%5Fisstindia%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FHARVEST%20TIME%20SAVING%204%20Empower%40Scale%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Fakila%5Fisstindia%5Forg%2FDocuments&ga=1

Such efforts require a radical shift in attitude and behavioiur among professionals and ‘’experts’’ who are often used to top-down model of development interventions. Robert Chambers (of IDS, Sussex, often labeled the ‘’undisputed dean of Participatory Planning) advise that such professionals need to start to Sit down, listen, learn… and ‘’Ask them’’. … He emphasize prioritizing Shutting up, among such experts to empower the locals, which could be surprisingly hard to practice, as it requires ‘’suffering the silence’’.

Looking forward to learn more.

Regards, Getaneh

See the attachments:

I think this is a very interesting topic, in most countries in Africa there is promotion of government policies, laws and regulations that dont favour our Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems and traditional practices, a good example is the seeds sector where most of this policies favour multinationals in seeds sector at detriment of small scale farmers who promote indigeneous seeds, the governments of the day should have robust policies, laws and regulations that are not skewed more so protecting indigenous foods and knowledge systems.

Concerning the best practices or strategies to promote cross-cultural understanding, the report should highlight strategies focused on community-led knowledge sharing, participatory research, and cross-cultural education. Collaborative projects with scientists that involve indigenous communities as active decision-makers can foster mutual respect and enhance integration of traditional practices into broader food policies either at the national or regional levels. Knowledge exchange programs and culturally sensitive educational initiatives will bridge understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous communities, emphasizing the ecological and nutritional benefits of traditional foods. Further, supporting indigenous traditional governance concerning natural resources will help to preserve the food systems sustainably, build cross-cultural understanding and also enhance biodiversity, food security, and environmental resilience.

I believe I can contribute by carrying out a survey among the indigenous communities of Brazil specifically in the state of Parana. About the impacts of the Brazilian Government's food acquisition program on these communities. A proposal that could see indigenous communities as food suppliers for local social entities and programs. Contributing to the fight against food insecurity.

To HLPE and FSN members:

As always, I appreciate the existence of this forum. I will briefly answer some of the suggested questions as a way to foster a healthy dialogue.

I believe we need to start considering the role that culture, society, and behavior play in food systems, especially the distinction between "nutritional needs" (calories, macro and micronutrients, etc.) and "food needs" (satiety, culturally appropriate food, personal tastes). Human beings do not eat calories; they eat food. The issues stemming from food insecurity have dramatic consequences, such as famine, hunger, and everything that comes with nutrient deficiency. However, there are other problems that we are starting to become aware of: the loss of traditional consumption patterns, the spread of the Western diet, and sedentary lifestyles.

All of these are threats to indigenous communities whose eating patterns are being disrupted by food systems increasingly tied to the Western diet. Often, changes in these food systems lead to less healthy diets or an increase in the price of certain foods, causing a lack of availability and access to food, which results in varying degrees of hunger (caloric, macro, and micronutrient), while also eliminating the possibility of choosing culturally appropriate foods. Indigenous groups, therefore, are generally more vulnerable to the "Westernization" of the food system.

2. Should the objectives include mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples food and knowledge systems, and lessons learned from them, for the benefit of all, or solely for the benefit of Indigenous Peoples as rights holders?

Given the points mentioned above, it is logical to think that indigenous groups deserve special attention. However, it must be noted that not all indigenous peoples face these problems. Indigeneity is strong in Latin America, where well-defined groups openly identify as "Indigenous." The reality is that not all minority ethnic groups (especially in Asia) label themselves as "Indigenous peoples." This makes it difficult to determine which communities are "ethnically vulnerable" to the "Westernization of the diet."

It is also true that indigenous peoples are not the only ones who possess valuable traditional knowledge; many other ethnic groups outside the "Indigenous" label hold similar knowledge and are equally vulnerable.

Therefore, I believe it is crucial to study the traditional knowledge of these vulnerable communities (with a focus on Indigenous people). The benefits of that knowledge should be utilized, particularly for vulnerable groups, regardless of their designation as Indigenous.

3. What are the challenges related to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent and Access and Benefit Sharing when widely promoting and/or mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems?

Informed consent is necessary in all cases, whether they involve indigenous, local, or rural communities. The main challenge is that traditional indigenous knowledge may have limited applicability beyond its original context. Like any good practice (indigenous or otherwise), it has been developed in a specific context, and its implementation depends largely on the user. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge that most practices have limited applicability in different contexts, especially at the policy level.

There are also many cases where such knowledge, like ethnobotanical knowledge and seed development, could be potentially harmful to communities if not properly managed. This type of knowledge requires special treatment, allowing the communities more control over its use.

4. How can the report ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, sustainability, and protection against commercialization risks for Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems?

In this case, I believe it is necessary to focus on national-level policy, creating policies that support planning food systems, and favoring short production and marketing channels while considering the impact of food system changes to Western values on specific regions.

5. How should oral knowledge and traditions be documented and referenced in the development of the report?

I think the inventory should be categorized by the area of impact: agroecology, management, ethnobotany, etc.

Then, it should outline the potential uses of each practice in the inventory according to its type and ensure that informed consent is as comprehensive as possible.

9. What best practices, ethical standards, and strategies for addressing climate change should be highlighted in the report?

I believe agroecological practices adapted to the territory are possibly the most valuable knowledge that indigenous peoples have. These practices allow for comprehensive territorial management and the creation of short marketing circuits, which benefit the sustainable food systems we need.

Thank you for your attention and for the space in this forum.

Best regards,

 

Para los miembros del HLPE y FSN:

Como siempre, agradezco la existencia de este foro. Responderé brevemente algunas de las preguntas sugeridas como una forma de fomentar un diálogo saludable.

Creo que necesitamos empezar a considerar el papel que juegan la cultura, la sociedad y el comportamiento en los sistemas alimentarios, especialmente la distinción entre "necesidades nutricionales" (calorías, macro y micronutrientes, etc.) y "necesidades alimentarias" (saciedad, alimentos culturalmente apropiados, gustos personales). Los seres humanos no comen calorías; comen alimentos. Los problemas derivados de la inseguridad alimentaria tienen consecuencias dramáticas, como hambrunas, hambre y todo lo que conlleva la falta de nutrientes. Sin embargo, hay otros problemas de los que estamos empezando a ser conscientes: la pérdida de patrones tradicionales de consumo, la expansión de la dieta occidental y los estilos de vida sedentarios.

Todos estos son amenazas para las comunidades indígenas cuyas pautas alimentarias están siendo perturbadas por sistemas alimentarios cada vez más ligados a la dieta occidental. A menudo, los cambios en estos sistemas alimentarios conducen a dietas menos saludables o a un aumento en el precio de ciertos alimentos, lo que genera falta de disponibilidad y acceso a alimentos, provocando distintos grados de hambre (calórica, macro y micronutricional), al mismo tiempo que elimina la posibilidad de elegir alimentos culturalmente apropiados. Por lo tanto, los grupos indígenas están generalmente en una situación más vulnerable frente a la "occidentalización" del sistema alimentario.

2. ¿Deberían los objetivos incluir la integración de los sistemas alimentarios y de conocimiento de los pueblos indígenas, y las lecciones aprendidas de ellos, para el beneficio de todos, o únicamente para el beneficio de los pueblos indígenas como titulares de derechos?

Teniendo en cuenta los puntos mencionados anteriormente, es lógico pensar que los grupos indígenas merecen especial atención. Sin embargo, es necesario señalar que no todos los pueblos indígenas enfrentan estos problemas. El indigenismo es fuerte en América Latina, donde hay grupos bien definidos que se identifican abiertamente como "Indígenas". La realidad es que no todos los grupos étnicos minoritarios (especialmente en Asia) se autodenominan "pueblos indígenas". Esto hace difícil determinar cuáles son las comunidades "étnicamente vulnerables" a la "occidentalización de la dieta".

Es también cierto que los pueblos indígenas no son los únicos que poseen un conocimiento tradicional valioso; muchos otros grupos étnicos fuera del rótulo de "Indígena" poseen conocimientos similares y son igualmente vulnerables.

Por lo tanto, creo que es crucial estudiar el conocimiento tradicional de estas comunidades vulnerables (con un enfoque en los pueblos indígenas). Los beneficios de ese conocimiento deben utilizarse especialmente en grupos vulnerables, independientemente de su designación como Indígenas.

3. ¿Cuáles son los desafíos relacionados con el Consentimiento Libre, Previo e Informado y el Acceso y Reparto de Beneficios cuando se promueven o se integran ampliamente los sistemas alimentarios y de conocimiento de los pueblos indígenas?

El consentimiento informado es necesario en todos los casos, ya sea que se trate de comunidades indígenas, locales o rurales. El principal desafío es que el conocimiento tradicional indígena puede tener una aplicación limitada fuera de su contexto original. Como cualquier buena práctica (indígena o no), ha sido desarrollada en un contexto específico, y su implementación depende en gran medida del usuario. Por lo tanto, es importante reconocer que la mayoría de las prácticas tienen una aplicación limitada en diferentes contextos, especialmente a nivel de políticas.

Además, existen muchos otros casos en los que este tipo de conocimiento, como el conocimiento etnobotánico y el desarrollo de semillas, podría ser potencialmente peligroso para las comunidades si no se maneja adecuadamente. Este tipo de conocimiento requiere un tratamiento especial, permitiendo a las comunidades un mayor control sobre su uso.

4. ¿Cómo puede el informe garantizar la inclusión de grupos marginados, la sostenibilidad y la protección contra los riesgos de comercialización de los sistemas alimentarios y de conocimiento de los pueblos indígenas?

En este caso, creo que es necesario centrarse en las políticas a nivel nacional, creando políticas que apoyen la planificación de sistemas alimentarios, favoreciendo canales de producción y comercialización cortos, y al mismo tiempo considerando el impacto que los cambios en el sistema alimentario hacia valores occidentales pueden generar en ciertas regiones.

5. ¿Cómo deberían documentarse y referenciarse los conocimientos y tradiciones orales en el desarrollo del informe?

Creo que el inventario debería clasificarse por área de impacto: agroecología, gestión, etnobotánica, etc. Luego, se deben marcar los posibles usos que cada práctica puede tener en el inventario según su tipo, y asegurar que el consentimiento informado sea lo más completo posible.

9. ¿Qué buenas prácticas, estándares éticos y estrategias para abordar el cambio climático deberían destacarse en el informe?

Creo que las prácticas agroecológicas adaptadas al territorio son posiblemente el conocimiento más valioso que poseen los pueblos indígenas. Estas prácticas permiten una gestión integral del territorio y la creación de circuitos cortos de comercialización, lo cual es beneficioso para los sistemas alimentarios sostenibles que necesitamos.

Agradezco su atención y el espacio en este foro.

Mis mejores deseos

 

See the attachments:

Esteemed HLPE Panelists & Dear FSN Members,

My name is Dong-Gill Kim, and I am currently working at the Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Ethiopia (https://donggillkim.blogspot.com/)

Climate change is exacerbating drought frequency and severity, posing a grave threat to conventional agricultural systems and global food security. This report can investigate the potential of underutilized plant species and agroecological practices by indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) to enhance drought resilience in vulnerable regions.

The primary objectives of this research are fourfold:

  1. Identify and characterize the drought-resistant traits and adaptations exhibited by underutilized plant species/agroecological practices within IPLCs.
  2. Elucidate the underlying ecological principles and traditional knowledge that contribute to the success of these practices.
  3. Evaluate the feasibility and scalability of implementing these practices in drought-prone areas for wider adoption.
  4. Promote a paradigm shift towards integrating underutilized plants and agroecological practices as cornerstones of climate-smart agricultural strategies.

There are a plethora of strategies for addressing climate change which indigenous and local peoples (IPLCs) have adopted across the globe for diverse ecosystems. These strategies are however driven directly by factors relating to land or sea uses, the extent of the degradation and the dependency of IPLCs on the natural resource base for their livelihoods. To a significant extent, the response and actions to climate change by IPLCs are indirectly driven by the prevailing governance systems, economic trends and demographic changes. Overall, IPLCs response to climate change is not isolated in a vacuum but inherently interlinked to their responses to other stimuli associated with their quest to access food, water, health and energy from their surrounding natural resource base. The drivers of these interlink must be clearly reviewed, examined and documented for comprehensive policy actions.