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News / 22 June 2012

Jane Lingbawan from CDPC shares her expectations for RIO+20

Jane Lingbawan is Executive Director at Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC), a Pilipino organisation linked to the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA). We spoke with her about her expectations for the RIO+20 conference.


Does the Cordillera Peoples Alliance participate in RIO+20?
"CPA is organising a side-event on the problems surrounding mining. Mining is a big issue for indigenous people, because it is often very destructive. We have seen that it comes with all sorts of rights violations, such as the right to life and the right to develop. During RIO+20 we hope to create more awareness of these problems. We think that if the indigenous people of the world join their efforts, a lot can be achieved because their voice will be stronger."

 

Do you have any other expectations of RIO+20?
"I think RIO+20 will have a positive impact, but only if we make sure that the things we discuss will also be implemented. Right now, a lot of good programmes from the United Nations (UN) fail because governments are not sincere in their efforts to uplift the people. The UN might support indigenous people, but if there is a corrupt government that is not committed, nothing will change. I believe there is a bright future, but agreements and policies must be implemented, or our efforts will be wasted."

photo: Kok Leng, Maurice Yeo

 

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