Development, Minorities and Indigenous Peoples: A Case Study and Evaluation of Good Practice

8 November 2002

The objective of this issues paper is to document good practice of development agencies in relation to minorities and indigenous peoples, using a rightsbased approach.

Although some development agencies have taken steps to adopt policy documents on indigenous peoples (virtually none have done so for minorities as yet), the gap between policy and successful implementation remains.

Nevertheless, good practice does exist and this issues paper provides examples from around the world. A detailed case study from Ecuador on the SUBIR (Sustainable Uses for Biological Resources) project, which impacted on indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian communities, clearly demonstrates the value of integrating good practices in project design.

The paper shows how good practice, that respects the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples and has a positive impact on their human development, gives meaning to good policy. 

Printed copies of this title have sold out. Please use the menu on the right to download a PDF version.