The Ateneo School of Government and the Institute of Philippine Culture, in collaboration with the Centre for Biocultural Diversity (University of Kent) and with the support of the Christensen Fund, hosted a conference on “Peruvian-Philippine Encounters: Building Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity on Traditional Rights and Biocultural Diversity” in the morning of 28th July 2009. It was be held at the Escaler Hall of Ateneo de Manila University in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
The conference featured presentations and a documentary film based on research and networking activities in Palawan. The speakers include:
The Role of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Promoting and Protecting the Rights of IPs in Relation to Biocultural diversity
Atty. Noel Felongco, Commissioner for Regions 6,7, and MIMAROPA
National Commission on Indigenous People
Nurturing Culture and Protecting Nature: New Challenges for Palawan
Dr. Dario Novellino, Anthropologist, Center for Biocultural Diversity, University of Kent and Visiting Research Associate, Institute of Philippine Culture, Ateneo de Manila University
Peru Meets Palawan: Experiences of an Amazonian Native Among the Indigenous Peoples of Palawan
Mr. Julio Cusurichi, Shipibo indigenous leader of the Peruvian Amazon and Winner of the 2007 Goldman Environmental Prize
The conference also included the viewing of excerpts of the documentary film, Palawan: Voices from the "Lost Frontier". Responses and messages of solidarity were delivered by: Datu Abdelwin Sangkula, Environmental Legal Action Center and Bangsa Palawan (Indigenous Alliance for Equity and Wellbeing); Mr. Arteso Gandilan Mandawa, NATRIPAL (Federation of the Tribes of Palawan); Ms. Giselle Gabe, AllpaMama-Mother Earth Ambassador and member of the Quechuan Tribe; and Mr. Jaybee Garganera, Alyansa Tigil Mina.
It is the organizers’ hope that the conference became a venue for individuals and groups aiming to promote and protect the wellbeing of indigenous communities to gain more sensitivity and insights into the needs and aspirations of indigenous peoples, and to be inspired by each other's work.