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| Profile of the Indigenous People
of Mexico
Chapter 11. Conclusions and Recommendations 5th
and last part |
by Prof. German Estrada
September 14, 2003 |
27. The articulation
of formal systems of national government is often in
contradiction with the indigenous governments. The political
system of global democracy generates conflicts within
the indigenous groups specifically because there are
no norms or rules that recognize and respect local systems
of organization and governance. The result of this has
been interference of the national level political parties
in the life of indigenous and ethnically based communities.
28. There are indigenous
organizations at the national, regional, state, and
community levels developing various programs of actions
to defend their rights and interests. These must be
taken into account in any project that attempts development
to reduce or eliminate poverty and improve quality of
life among these populations.
29. In Mexico several
international agencies have been interacting with indigenous
groups and their organizations, advocating dialogue
within the Latin American and worldwide context. The
Inter American Indigenist Institute (III) has brought
together for over sixty years, many professional and
intellectual indigenous leaders to exchange experiences
and state positions. In the same way, the Organization
of American States has promoted dialogue among the indigenous
peoples of the continent through scholarships and meetings.
The United Nations through its agencies in particular
UNESCO, ILO, IFAD, FAO and PNUD has stimulated the design
and execution of projects for indigenous peoples as
well as promoted exchange of development experience.
It is of special importance to underline the significance
of ILO Convention 169 that has been ratified by the
Mexican Government.
30. International
financial agencies such as the World Bank and the Inter
American Development Bank have increasingly been assisting
Mexico through projects designed specifically for indigenous
people. With the support of the Inter American Development
bank the Fund for the Development of Indigenous peoples
of Latin America and the Caribbean was formed in 1992.
Similarly, mention must be made of the long work undertaken
by the Inter American Development Foundation that has
worked directly with indigenous organizations based
in various regions of the country. This wealth of past
experience must be reflected in proposed projects.
31. The campaigns
advocating indigenous peoples’ rights and improvement
of their quality of life that have been conducted by
North American, Canadian and European organizations,
as well as the work undertaken by national NGOs and
foundations should also be taken into account in project
formulation particularly because their activities have
resulted in more participatory and inclusive approaches
to development and because they have assisted communities
in the process of empowerment to fight over human rights.
32. In the next
decades Mexico will increasingly become aware of the
indigenous factor and this will lead to a greater recognition
of indigenous groups and their cultural differences.
This will have positive consequences in the process
of democratization and reform of the State. The equal
rights of all citizens protected by law must be complemented
with recognition of a right to be different, coupled
with an understanding that the cultural diversity of
the country represented in its indigenous peoples is
a valuable patrimony.
33. Recently, with
the foundation of the Peace Accords of San Andres Larrainzar
with the Zapatista National Liberation Army, the Peace
Commission proposed a wider national-level reform of
the Constitution. This proposal was accepted by the
Zapatistas and rejected by the Federal Government whose
counter-proposal is under discussion in the Senate.
The national political party PAN (Partido Accion Nacional)
made a similar proposal. As of this date there are three
alternatives that will surely result in the reformulation
of the policies and politics and will have an impact
in the social programs and policies for indigenous peoples.
Sources: Mexican Government Institutions:
SEDESOL
gestrada@pvnet.com.mx
Prof. Germán
Estrada is the author of the best selling book,
"México
Mágico: Everything You Wanted To Know
About... But Nobody Told You..." available in Puerto
Vallarta at The Net House, Mail Boxes, Etc., Books,
Books as well as directly from the author by internet.
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