In a world where climate change is the biggest decision-making driver for businesses, governments, regional bodies, and even individuals, words like “sustainable development” become master keys that open up funding through grants and investments. Financial institutions, international development bodies, and non-profit organizations pour money into regions and countries that are at the forefront of the war against climate change.
It is usually expected and advertised that the majority of the funding will go towards indigenous communities, who are most likely to feel the impact of climate change the quickest and the hardest. In a perfect world, money would be available for community projects that are preventative – building a seawall for a coastal village, training on nature disaster management, etc – or reactive in nature – disaster supplies for affected communities, relocation funding, etc. This would mean that local leaders have a seat at the proverbial table with the ability to lead these projects themselves. Self-reliance being a fundamental value being taught by these “saviors” so that when the project is completed, these communities know how to govern themselves that much better. Although these things do happen now, it has become an exception and not the rule.
I’ve had some conversations with community leaders “on the ground”, like village chiefs and family elders, and a disturbing trend began to emerge. These community leaders, who are extremely invested in the outcome of the projects, don’t actually feel heard and in some cases, actually feel exploited. They feel that they’ve been relegated to selling points for more funding by do-gooders, instead of people in actual need. They aren’t involved in decision-making and they aren’t being given the necessary training to thrive (this is key) after these donors leave. This leads to a cycle of dependence, where more funding and support is required for the community to survive. Now I’m not saying that this is entirely the fault of international and regional development organizations, but this does need to be highlighted for conversation on how to make this process work better.
One such concerned community leader is Epeli Asaro – a fiery proponent for indigenous rights and indigenous business. Epeli is at the forefront of a business venture that has unique characteristics that are mind-blowing, from funding to organizational structure. He sent me a thoroughly enjoyable writing that I thought needed to be shared and so I’ve attached it below. Have a read and I sincerely hope that this becomes a conversation-starter for you.
🌍 Major Concern: Exploitation of Indigenous Landowners in Sustainable Development 🛡️
I am deeply troubled by the exploitation of Indigenous landowners by investors who collaborate with governments and statutory bodies to infiltrate the sustainable development space. These opportunists often take full advantage of the resources and benefits, leaving the Indigenous communities with meager compensation and minimal involvement.
This form of exploitation directly undermines the values of sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance that are at the core of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. It perpetuates social and economic injustices, stripping Indigenous communities of their rights, land ownership, and dignity.
The collaboration between investors and governments in resource-rich areas often leads to a power imbalance that exacerbates the exploitation. Indigenous landowners, who have a deep connection to their territories and possess invaluable traditional knowledge, should be empowered to actively participate in sustainable development initiatives. Their consent, participation, and fair representation must be integral to any project undertaken on their lands.
To rectify this injustice and promote true sustainability, we must prioritize the rights and well-being of Indigenous communities. We need to hold investors, governments, and statutory bodies accountable for their actions and demand transparency in their operations.
It is crucial to advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous voices and ensure their meaningful participation throughout the entire sustainable development process. By doing so, we can foster genuine partnerships that respect their rights, provide fair compensation, and empower them as co-creators of sustainable initiatives.
Let us use platforms like LinkedIn to raise awareness, expose exploitative practices, and champion the rights of Indigenous landowners. Together, we can create a sustainable space that respects and upholds the inherent rights, stewardship, and sovereignty of Indigenous communities.
I need to reiterate that Epeli is not saying that international development and donor agencies intentionally exploit indigenous communities. He’s saying that the processes that are undertaken on the ground level need to change; there also needs to be more community involvement in the decision-making process; and finally, there needs to be more emphasis on wealth generation rather than promoting a dependency on external help. This is real feedback that, if taken into consideration, will have an exponential impact on how development projects are run and how the outcomes of these activities will lead to sustainability.
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