Posted Nov 2000. Last updated Feb 2007.

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The following document was signed at Petford for Entreaties, a functional Laceweb matrix (CBO) in July 1992.

Resonant people, NGOs and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) may consider using this Treaty.

This Treaty has been adapted by Dr Neville Yeomans from Simon Brascoupé - Indigenous Network, Ottowa, Canada.

It is resonant with The Young Persons Healing Learning Code

Following Indigenous and other People Initiatives in Rio, Brazil and

As between Unrepresented Nations and Peoples, Indigenous Peoples; their Leaders, Non-Government Organisations and Practitioners around the World, hereafter referred to as "Unique Peoples" (UP); and other Non-Government Organisations, or persons hereafter referred to as "NGOs".

Whereas dominant and Western development models have failed to achieve the healing, learning, equality, fairness and development objectives promised to Unique Peoples; and

Whereas some NGOs have imposed dominant development models, programmes and values in their projects which have contributed to the destruction of the environment and of Unique Peoples cultures and populations; and

Whereas NGOs respect the evolving declarations, charters and treaties of Unique Peoples, recognise Unique Peoples' rights to self-determination, rights to traditional territories, and to cultural, healing, identity and collective human rights,

the undersigned parties hereby recognise and affirm the following code of ethics for NGOs when entering into joint activities with Unique Peoples, and recognise and affirm the following:

1. Transfer of values: Existing practices and approaches of some NGOs contribute to what amounts to the imposition of Western and dominant values and culture on Unique Peoples. This must be recognised and approaches and models of equality and consensus should be adopted to minimize, reduce and heal these effects.

2. Community control, management and ownership: Unique Peoples' programmes should be based on an ethic of self-development consensus. This takes into consideration Unique local control, management and ownership of projects and initiatives. These are based on local Unique values and cultural institutions.

3. Community-based planning: Community-based planning and healing development based on principles of community participation will be the cornerstone of Unique Peoples development supported by, and nurturing to, NGOs.

4. Unique Peoples' Knowledge: The basis of Unique Peoples' development is Unique Peoples' knowledge, which is owned, collected, documented and implemented by Unique Peoples. Its stewardship may be celebrated with NGOs for the artistry of mutual benefit.

5. Spirituality: NGOs should recognise, and can accept healing from, Unique Peoples' spirituality, which is the manifestation of the harmony in their way of life and holistic thinking.

6. Respect: The principle of respect that is the foundation of Unique Peoples' human-development policy means respect for self, community, Mother Earth, other people and nature, as well as respect for the gifts and contributions of all forms of life. NGOs will be helped to learn this.

7. Sharing: The principle of sharing should be the basis of healing relationships between NGOs and Unique Peoples, with balance and caring at all levels, between individuals, community, others and Mother Earth.

8. Technology: Unique Peoples' concepts and technology are fundamentally different; therefore culturally appropriate technologies must be found that can be applied and controlled by Unique Peoples.

9. Sustainable development: Unique Peoples' understanding and philosophy of development are based on cyclic and sustainable concepts and approaches that should be shared with NGOs to benefit NGOs and their respective countries.

10. Capacity building: Unique Peoples can expand their skills, knowledge and plans for healing, education, development and implementation in various programs and projects and in their own NGOs.

11. Uniques Peoples societies: The practices of earlier colonizers must end - namely use of force, religion, schools and administrative policies and laws which promote dependency. The wisdom of interdependence will be shared with NGOs.

12. Unique Peoples models: Western and dominant models of development must not be used in designing programs and policies affecting Unique Peoples; these practices must be stopped, in favour of those which help, heal and build solidarity, culture, values, and other relevant customs.

13. Unique Peoples NGOs: Non-Unique NGOs should support the development, training and financing of Unique Peoples NGOs.

14. New Unique Peoples' institutions: Non-Unique NGOs should support the development of new kinds of regional and international institutions which coordinate and support Unique Peoples in carrying out self-evolving planning.

15. Unique Peoples' financial institutions: NGOs should recognise that Unique Peoples' financial institutions must be managed and controlled by Unique Peoples. This will promote economic, environmental and human development initiatives in the community; and learning for NGOs.

16. Financial management: NGOs should establish healing relationships, structures, and policies which make them more responsible and accountable for their development initiatives with Unique Peoples.

17. Consultation and Agreement: NGOs should develop policies which provide fair consultative mechanisms to harmonize their policies with Unique Peoples priorities, values and culture.

18. The undersigned parties agree to seek knowledge and assistance that embody compatible spiritual and cultural values. This will allow dominant non-Unique people to behave with humility and respect. They may thereby seek spiritual forgiveness for past injustices, show how forgiveness can help heal the wounds inflicted between peoples, and promote the continuing healing of Mother Earth.

The above statements are hereby agreed to and affirmed in order to contribute to Unique Peoples' survival and self-development, to create a new partnership between dominant NGOs and Unique Peoples, and to fundamentally change and heal the relationship between Unique Peoples and dominant or Western institutions, so as to correct and heal the mistakes and errors of recent centuries.

Signed 1992 at Petford, Australia

Name:
Organisation UP/NGO Entreaties. Yungaburra, Qld
Tel:
Signature(s):
Date: July 1992

Links:

• The Young Persons Healing Learning Code

• Laceweb Home Page

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