ABSTRACT

The Indigenous Peoples’ Global Coordinating Committee organized The Indigenous Peoples International Conference on Sustainable Development and Self Determination: Standing Together for Our Food Sovereignty, Traditional Cultures and Ways of Life as part of the United Nations World Conference on Sustainable Development held in June 2012 in Rio De Janeiro. The conference declaration, Rio+ 20: Indigenous Peoples International Declaration on Self-Determination and Sustainable Development, offered an alternative paradigm for achieving sustainable development:

Indigenous peoples call upon the world to return to dialogue and harmony with Mother Earth, and to adopt a new paradigm of civilization based on Buen Vivir—Living Well. In the spirit of humanity and our collective survival, dignity and well being, we respectfully offer our cultural world views as an important foundation to collectively renew our relationships with each other and Mother Earth and to ensure Buen Vivir/living well proceeds with integrity.

(para. 11)