Indigenous Studies  

Current Research

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development and UBC Okanagan Partnership

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development and UBC Okanagan Partnership

INDIGENOUS STUDIES:

Ongoing Research Projects >>

Indigenous Studies Current Research >>

The The International Fund for Agricultural Development, a specialized agency of the United Nations, is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. One of the challenges IFAD continues to face in agricultural and rural development work is the identification of effective ways to involve poor communities, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable, in planning, management and decision-making about their natural resources. This is especially important in dealing with indigenous peoples who find themselves and their livelihoods disproportionately threatened by climate change, environmental degradation and conflict related to access to land and to natural resources.

In collaboration with Dr Jon Corbett, IFAD have developed a participatory mapping process that directly addresses resource management and conflict-related issues. Participatory mapping is map-making that attempts to make the association between land and local communities visible by using the commonly understood and recognized language of cartography. Using case studies from Kenya, Mali and Sudan, this process is currently being field tested and is slated for broader application in future IFAD funded projects.

To learn more about IFAD, visit their website at www.ifad.org/

University of British Columbia  Okanagan