The Red Indígena de Turismo de México AC (RITA) and Equitable Origin (EO) launched the virtual seminar «Strengthening the rights of indigenous peoples» as part of the Resource Hub to Strengthening Indigenous Rights in Mexico Project (CEFO Indígena México).
The seminar aimed to share and analyze experiences on the recognition and exercise of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. It covered topics such as development and territorial governance, biculturality, traditional knowledge and practices, gender equality, the right to participation, Indigenous consultation and free prior and informed consent (FPIC), biocultural community protocols, ceremonies, festivities and expressions of Indigenous culture and community development in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The seminar focused on the exercise of Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination. The Indigenous participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and share the challenges they face in implementing their models of autonomy. Additionally, participants analyzed the implementation gaps that undermine the exercise of rights which are a fundamental pillar for the survival of Indigenous Peoples.
The participants identified actions to achieve a more active role in the implementation of international instruments and the adoption of measures to avoid setbacks the application of international law at the national level. Participants used the opportunity to generate an intercultural dialogue on their ways of exercising their rights, generating alliances and strengthening the care mechanisms.
The seminar was carried out over eight sessions (for a total of 24 hours) every Thursday between January 28 and March 18 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The format was designed by a diverse panel made up of three speakers: an international Indigenous expert, a community expert representative and a guest from an institution. Each panelist one had 20 minutes to present, which allowed for more time for discussion, feedback, and the exchange of experiences.
Participants registered for the seminar through registration forms and letters of commitment. They were then provided with a welcome letter, the methodological guide with the name of the speakers, topics, content, approaches, focus questions, sequence of the training process, cultural adaptation, group management and facilitation, evaluations and academic orientation and instructions to enter the Zoom platform for the work sessions.
In order to have a more efficient and direct communication with each of the participants, a WhatsApp group was created. Through this platform participants were reminded of each of the sessions and questions were answered. We also used it to send an evaluation form so that participants could provide us with feedback.
At the end of the 8 sessions, 45 participants completed the minimum attendance required.
RITA and Equitable Origin plan on implementing two additional online workshops this year focused on digital literacy.