SATIM Trains Indigenous Leaders on Free, Prior and Informed Consent Process

Efforts aimed at strengthening community participation in development projects are continuing in southern Belize. The Southern Alliance for the Transformation of Indigenous Peoples in the Maya Lands, SATIM, recently hosted a training session for peer trainers under its Free, Prior and Informed Consent, or FPIC, project.  The training was held at Creek Side Lodge in Toledo between June 8 and 10 and brought together participants from indigenous communities to build knowledge and capacity surrounding the FPIC process. Organizers describe it as the first training session of its kind under the initiative.  The FPIC framework stems from a landmark 2015 court ruling which affirmed that projects and activities affecting indigenous communities must be subject to proper consultation and consent processes before they proceed.  Project Director Tom Palmer says the objective of the initiative is to equip community members with the knowledge and tools needed to participate more effectively in decision-making processes while supporting broader efforts to implement Belize’s FPIC framework in a more structured manner.

Tom Palmer, Project Manager: “And what we hope is that they can go away from that session and talk to their organizations, perhaps their communities and they can conduct trainings of their own so they are now certified peer trainers and that’s why we call it the Peer Training. For the peer trainers it was a public call for peer trainers so there were individuals who were interested to learn more about the free prior and informed consultation process.”

The training also focused on preparing peer trainers who will in turn help educate and guide other community members on the FPIC process and its relevance to development projects taking place within their communities.  Palmer explained that the initiative is designed to create a network of trained individuals who can assist with raising awareness and ensuring that residents understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to development proposals that may affect their lands and resources.

Tom Palmer, Project Manager:  “What I would highlight is that this is just the first of our training sessions. We do have more coming up in the future specifically for government ministries and for communities. Now if you are interested in receiving free prior and informed consent training then please don’t hesitate to contact our team and we’ll try to facilitate that training for you. The contact information is 6715030 and that will put you through to my work phone.”

Officials say the project forms part of ongoing efforts to promote greater transparency, community participation, and respect for indigenous rights, while ensuring that development initiatives are carried out through meaningful consultation and informed decision-making.