IFM
type: Concept
in scheme: projects
definition: Short Title: Indigenous Forum on Monitoring (IFM) Proposal URL: http://classic.ipy.org/development/eoi/proposal-details.php?id=396 The Indigenous Peoples Forum on Environmental Monitoring in the Arctic (IFM) will bring Indigenous knowledge and perspectives out of the anecdotal background into the forefront of environmental monitoring work in the Arctic. It will be held early on (Fall 2007) in the IPY timeframe, and will therefore be able to serve as a guiding tool to subsequent IPY Arctic initiatives. Indigenous observations are the most regular and ground-based insight on the current status of Arctic environment and wildlife. Accordingly, the IFM will highlight the capacity of Indigenous Peoples to make a crucial contribution to the design and management of Arctic environmental monitoring. It will also raise awareness of Indigenous environmental issues and concerns within the Arctic scientific community, and consequently support the active involvement of Indigenous Peoples in research that directly affects their communities and well-being. In that regards, the participation of Inuit elders in the recent United Nations climate change conference (CoP11) in Montreal highlights the unique and invaluable contribution that Indigenous Peoples observations, knowledge and experiences can bring to debates on the Arctic environment. This Indigenous-led project will actively engage members of Northern communities in defining common monitoring challenges. In doing so, the IFM will not attempt to integrate components of Indigenous knowledge into science, but will instead aim to identify how the capacity, needs and viewpoints of circumpolar Indigenous Peoples can steer environmental monitoring work conducted in the Arctic and shape related decision-making processes. By bringing together Indigenous elders, environmental practitioners, land managers and youth, the IFM will paint a comprehensive picture of the ability of Northerners to identify and respond to changes in their enviro…

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type: Concept