IPB University and BRWA Strengthen Collaboration on the Recognition and Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples
IPB University and the Indigenous Territories Registration Agency (BRWA) are strengthening their collaboration to This collaboration also serves as an opportunity to provide input and scientific perspectives during the drafting process of the Draft Law (RUU) on Indigenous Peoples and the Draft Forestry Law.
The collaboration was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education and the Application of Innovation for the Protection and Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia on Friday (8/21) at the IPB Taman Kencana Campus in Bogor.
Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Collaboration, and Alumni Relations, Prof Iskandar Z. Siregar, stated that this collaboration is crucial for shaping the discourse on natural resource management in Indonesia. He noted that the empowerment of indigenous peoples must be based on three pillars: recognition, the bioeconomy, and collaboration.
Recognition serves as the foundation for the protection of rights and living spaces. The bioeconomy opens up opportunities for economic benefits derived from biological resources and local knowledge, while collaboration is essential because the challenges faced by indigenous communities cannot be resolved by a single institution.
“The success of this collaboration is not measured by the number of documents signed, but by the extent to which it delivers tangible benefits to indigenous communities,” said Prof Iskandar.
According to BRWA data, the potential area of indigenous territories in Indonesia totals 26,285 million hectares, that is indigenous territories currently in the registration process with BRWA. Indigenous communities play a role in preserving their living spaces, biodiversity, and the knowledge and practices of natural resource management passed down through generations.
“We hope this collaboration can accelerate the recognition of indigenous communities and their living spaces (indigenous territories), of course based on the scientific expertise of IPB University. This ensures that indigenous communities become key stakeholders or act as primary agents,” said BRWA Director Kasmita Widodo.
Dr Lukmanul Hakim Zaini, Vice Dean for Resources, Collaboration, and Development at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, emphasized that recognition should not stop at administrative aspects.
“Recognition of indigenous communities and their territories including customary forests should not be limited to administrative aspects or institutional formalities. The more important question is: once recognition is granted, are the rights of indigenous communities better protected?” he said.
Dewi Silitonga, a representative of the indigenous community from the Bona Ni Dolok Community in North Tapanuli, said, “In managing natural resources, we need ‘living space’ that is the freedom to manage them as we see fit. One way to achieve this is through the recognition of indigenous communities’ customary territories.”
To date, IPB University has produced 213 student research papers ranging from undergraduate theses to master’s theses and doctoral dissertations that address the themes of indigenous communities and/or indigenous forests. These various studies demonstrate the ability of indigenous communities to governing their natural resources independently and sustainably.
Such practices can serve as a foundation for policy that emphasize the importance of placing trust in communities, or of devolution, redistribution, and recognition for indigenous communities.
Through this collaboration, IPB University and BRWA are committed to promoting the utilization of research findings, data, mapping, innovations, and bioeconomic development to support the protection and empowerment of indigenous communities, including providing research-based input on the Indigenous Peoples Bill and the Forestry Bill. (*/Rz) (IAAS/KQA)
