The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Regional Capacity Building Program, Thailand
June 21-25, 2017
Participant Biographies
Bangladesh
Shohel Chandra Hajang. Bangladesh Jatiyo Hajong Sangathon, Organising Secretary
Shobel is the organising secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyo Hajong Sangathon (BJHS), a non-profit organisation of Hajong Indigenous people in Mymensingh division. BJHS aims to develop and establish Hajong Indigenous people’s human rights through organising demonstrations and conferences in regional and national levels. BJHS involves policy makers, governmental/NGO’s officers, journalists and the community in the organisation’s indigenous peoples rights program. Shohel helps organise programs, seminars, demonstrations and conferences within the organisation.
He recently started a research project on Sustainable livelihood of Hajong community in Sherpur. Shohel believes that training program can enhance his skills and knowledge in organising workshop and network meetings for the BJHS. The training will also assist him in developing policy focusing on the SDG’s implementation to establish human rights of Hajong indigenous peoples.
Suvash Chandra Hembram. Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP), Office Secretary
Suvash is the office secretary of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP). Since 1993, JAP has focus on plain land indigenous people’s rights, human rights and education rights in Bangladesh. The aim of JAP is to set up justice to oppressed and deprived people and raise awareness of human rights. This includes organising field visits and several advocacy related activities such as human chain, publishing leaflets and engaging with the media. Suvash organises field visits and communicates with governmental officials to discuss issues affected by oppressed and deprive people. He also assists in the administration of JAP, as well as engages with different stakeholders and organise right based events. Suvash would like to develop his knowledge about the Human Rights UN declaration of Indigenous Peoples and the SDG 2030 Agenda. The training will assist him to develop effective strategic advocacy system and build good relations with deferent stakeholders from Governmental & Non-Governmental Organisations.
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Cambodia
Nea Nhan. Highlanders Association Ratanakiri, Program Coordinator
Nea is the program coordinator at Highlanders Association and is overseeing a project called “Good Governance and Human Rights”. The project ensures the needs of the Indigenous people are met and help them to develop advocacy strategies. The project has three components – 1) Environment and Development Watch, 2) Community Organizing Project, and 3) Information and Resource. Furthermore, Highlanders Association is currently dealing with two cases and they are mining and rubber plantation projects in Northeast Cambodia. Nea’s role is to build solidarity amongst the Indigenous people from the region and encourage them to negotiate terms and conditions with companies who are operating in these projects. Nea is seeking to gain more knowledge on UNDRIP and hopes to transfer this knowledge onto the Indigenous people and the affected communities. He would also like to incorporate this in workshops, trainings, and village meetings.
India
Ratika Yumnam. Indigenous Perspectives, Coordinator - Research & Advocacy
Ratika is the co-ordinator for Research & Advocacy in Indigenous Perspectives. The organisation is involve in campaigns, action research and advocacy regarding the impact of globalisation on Indigenous peoples of Northeast India. Indigenous Perspective focuses on the theme of development-induced displacements. This includes issues of eviction of Indigenous Fishers on Loktak lake under the Loktak Protection Act and the displacement of communities by aggressive tourism policies. Ratika is involve in lobbying for the repeal of the Loktak Protection Act 2006, as well as independent research regarding the social impact of the dam on the displaced villagers. She has also been involved as the coordinator for Working Group for Peace Initiative, an initiative to forge ethnic solidarity across the various indigenous communities of Northeast. Ratika believes that training program will help her build the capacity to inform lobbying with the government on behalf of the indigenous peoples of Northeast India. She plans to use the knowledge for empower youth of Manipur from various tribes through workshops and training programs.
Indonesia
Muhammad Hasan Harry Sandy Abdul Majid Efendy (Harry Sandy). The Alliance of Agrarian Reform Movement( AGRA), Head of Campaign Department and International Liaison
Harry Sandy is the Head of Campaign Department and International Liaison in The Alliance of Agrarian Reform Movement (AGRA). AGRA advocates for Dayak Punan Hovongan in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan and Sasak Communities in Sambelie District, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province. As the Head of Campaign Department, Harry Sandy campaigns against land grabbing from indigenous peoples and in the rural areas. This includes the development of campaigns regarding conservations issues, and coordinating the plan with other departments. Harry Sandy believes that the training program will help him gain better knowledge and awareness about indigenous peoples and human rights, particularly related to the UNDRIP and the SDGs. He hopes to share his knowledge to the committee members of AGRA in a national level and revisit the organisation’s approach towards indigenous peoples’ issues and their particular situation in all levels
Martha Patty. Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN) –Maluku Chapter, Chairperson
Martha is the first female chairperson on AMAN Maluku. The organization is working to bring about changes in provincial and local laws, policies, regulations and agreements to recognize and protect Indigenous people’s rights in Maluku. AMAN Maluku provides legal and case management services to Indigenous communities and capacity building on rights. Indigenous women and Indigenous persons with disabilities are prioritized. Martha believes that knowledge related to the Sustainable Development Goals is very important but they have limited access to relevant information.
Malaysia
Thulaja Thessa K Vasudhevan. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)/ Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia, Advocacy and Campaigns Officer
Thessa is the advocacy and campaigns officer at JOAS. At JOAS, she helps prioritise key issues to advocate, plan and implement campaign activities. She also conducts research on legal and advocacy issues and write papers, strategies and recommendations. She assists JOAS representatives on local, national and international level. At JOAS, Thessa has advocated for the Indigenous people and held a workshop on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She has participated in meetings with other CSOs and the UN Country team in which she has presented a brief report highlighting issues and recommendation from the Indigenous people. Thessa believes the SDG training program will enhance her capacity as an advocacy and campaigns officer. She has been working on the SDG goals in Malaysia and would like to gain more knowledge in this area. And she hopes to engage better with government and CSOs in addressing the rights of Indigenous people.
Kiah Hui Ooi. Malaysian Care, Director, Policy, Advocacy & Research
Kiah is the Director of Policy, Advocacy & Research in Malaysian Care. The organisation’s main two focuses are Community Land Protection with Indigenous People and Exposed Campaign, a global campaign against corruption and poverty. Kiah strategies the Orang Asli community advocacy plans and facilitates the land protection efforts within the community. She is involve as a team member in the Exposed campaign and actively participates in road shows, public awareness talks and consultation session with key partners. Being part of the training program will assist Kiah to build her professional capacity as the new leading officer for community land protection. She hopes that the training will provide key knowledge in UNDRIP in the context of SDGs, to increase her capacity to influence policies and decisions related to the rights of Orang Asli.
Myanmar
Kai Lawt. Kachin Development Networking Group, Program Coordinator
Kai Lawt is responsible for awareness training on sustainable development of natural resources and land law training at KDNG. The organisation provides awareness training on land law for Kachin whose lands have been confiscated, without compensation, by large companies.
Jo (Joshua) Shua. Disability Development Initiative (DDI), Associate Director
Joshua is an Associate Director in Disability Development initiative (DDI). DDI aim is to promote the rights of indigenous people with disabilities in Kalaymyo and Chin State in Myanmar. The organisation provides advocacy, awareness and training programs about issues affecting people with a disability. DDI runs an Inclusive Education program, which provides stationary and financial support to 45 students for their studies in the 2016-2017 academic year. Johsua role as associate director involves promoting the rights of indigenous people with a disability in Kalaymyo and Chin State, as well as strongly networking with Myanmar national DPOs and international agencies. As a person with a disability, Joshua is determine to involve the sustainable development of indigenous persons with disabilities. After the training, Joshua will share his experience and knowledge by creating a resource center to access information, skills and knowledge from national and international. Furthermore, he will initiate chin state level DPOs to stand for their rights and build up capacity to engage with governments, NGOs and faith-based organizations to ensure the participation and rights promotion for sustainable development.
Naw Khin Moe Aye (Law La). POINT (Promotion of Indigenous and Nature Together), Senior Program Officer
As a Senior Program Officer, Law la assists with the delivery and design of POINT’s program as well as providing training and facilitation. PIONT provides awareness training to communities, particularly related to indigenous people’s rights (UNDRIP) and FPIC to local communities. The organisation advocates to the discussion maker to include indigenous people rights in the policy and law process. Law la believes that the training will help her assist in conducting similar programs within the organisation and provide awareness to the community about UNDRIP and 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Aye Myint. Ethnic Community Development Forum, Community Empowerment Program Coordinator
Aye Myint is involved in community development –including microcredit training and projects, pig and fish farming and training on land rights, customary rights and community development.
Nepal
Gargee Pradhan. Nepal Bhasha Misha Khala, Active Life Member
Gargee is an active life member of Nepal Bhasha Misha Khala. The organisation established the “Women Leadership Skill Development Training” for Indigenous Newar Women Community in February 2017. Nepal Bhasha Misha Khala also created the “Disaster Awareness: Earthquake Preparedness, Response and Recovery” to Indigenous Communities of Kathmandu after the earthquake in April 2015. Gargee was the trainer /facilitator for both programs. Professionally, Gargee is an Environmental Engineer. She has expertise in the field of environment management, disaster risk reduction, climate change, food security, alternative livelihood and advocacy. Gargee hopes that the training program will assist her to understand the thematic issues regarding indigenous human rights. Her knowledge and experience will be shared among other indigenous women communities through training programs, interactions and dialogues.
Pratima Gurung. National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN), President
Pratima is the President of the National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN). NIDWAN has engaged in the CEDAW shadow report since 2016 and done five regional and national consultation workshop, drawing attention on issues of indigenous women with disabilities for the first time. The organisation is preparing a supplementary report from civil society on CRPD and is in the consultation phase. NIDWAN is advocating with the state to recognise issues of indigenous persons with disabilities as human rights issues through implementing programs and activities. As President, Pratima assists with organisation’s members as well as the implementation of NIDWAN programs and activities. She mediates with likeminded organisations to collaborate, network and contribute to ensure the rights of indigenous women with disabilities. Pratima believes that the training will assist her to develop programs and policies in Nepeal, emphasising on aspects of learning, sharing and engaging at a community, national and international level.
Subha Rai. Kirat Youth Society (KYS), Chairperson
Subha is the chairperson of the Kirat Youth Society (KYS). As a youth indigenous organisation, KYS work focuses on indigenous youth issues in the community. KYS provides training to the community indigenous youth and lobby to government agencies to ensure indigenous people’s youth rights and policy . The organisation has worked with Nepal’s National Youth Council under the Ministry of Youth and Sport as well as the National Planning Commission (NPC). Subha’s role is to involve government agencies to collaborate and mobilise community youths on indigenous people’s issues. He has organise different kinds of trainings including UNDRIP, ILO Convention 169, FPIC, CBD. Subha would like to share his knowledge and experience by developing programs through KYS and provide an orientation about SDG to the indigenous youths on a grassroots, district level and national level. Further, he we will collaborate with the Nepal government under the SDG.
Philippines
April Thessa (Kling Kling) Diaz. Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Northern Mindanao Sub-Region Inc, Coordinator (Rural Poor Organizing Support Program - RPOSP)
April is the program coordinator of RPOSP. The RPOSP organises and conducts capacity building activities for the rural poor communities, including Indigenous people. It involves educating and training peasants in organic and sustainable farming and programs that increase production; extending support services such as literacy and numeracy, legal and paralegal services, medical assistance, scholarship and emergency relief assistance. April is involved in the ‘Healing the Hurt’ -an EU-funded initiative that seeks to synergize and combat discrimination, human rights violations and impunity against the Lumad of Mindanao. She is also involved in another EU-funded initiative – ‘Protecting and Promoting Indigenous Human Rights in Bangladesh and the Philippines,’ that seeks to build the capacities of Indigenous communities when confronted with human rights violations caused by industrial projects. April believes the SDG training program will increase her understanding of the UNDRIP and its relevance to the SDGs related to Indigenous people. The training will also build her knowledge and skills in promoting.
Carlo Manalansan. Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy (AIPNEE), Program Coordinator
Carlo is the Project Coordinator of AIPNEE. The organisation has facilitated a community
Exchange program for ten Cambodian Indigenous Peoples as well as develop a handbook on FPIC. As a project coordinator, Carlo handles all projects and activities in the organisation , which includes coordination work, project implementation and monitoring. He is involve in building a solidarity