The Founder and Director of Repairing International Development, Mr Makmid Camara, has called for a fundamental overhaul of the global development architecture to make it more inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of indigenous peoples and communities in the Global South.
He indicated that the current international development model continued to reflect colonial structures and inequalities, stressing the need for approaches that promote reparative justice, local knowledge systems and community-led development.
Mr Camara made the call at the opening of the Repairing International Development Conference in Accra yesterday.
He noted that the global development system required far-reaching reforms beyond ongoing efforts to decolonise development.
Mr Camara explained that development policies must reconnect communities with their land, culture and indigenous knowledge, while addressing historical injustices stemming from colonisation, exploitation and exclusion.
He proposed a “Six Rs Framework” to guide reforms in international development, comprising reconnection, re-education, repair, rebuilding, reimagining and resistance.
According to him, the framework was designed to place people and community well-being at the centre of development, rather than focusing solely on economic growth and gross domestic product.
Mr Camara also expressed concern that conversations around decolonising development often excluded experts and communities from the Global South, and urged governments, development partners and civil society organisations to adopt more inclusive approaches.
For her part, the Chair of the Guiding Committee of the Awanka Fund, Dr Myrna Cunningham, stated that indigenous peoples had for generations protected biodiversity and natural resources through traditional knowledge systems and self-determined development models.
She noted that although indigenous peoples constituted about six per cent of the global population, they played a vital role in conserving biodiversity and safeguarding large portions of the world’s land and marine ecosystems.
Dr Cunningham called for stronger partnerships between indigenous communities and development institutions to promote culturally appropriate and sustainable development.
She added that the conference offered a platform for participants to share experiences, deepen collaboration and develop practical strategies for reforming the international development system.
The conference brought together representatives of indigenous organisations, civil society groups, development practitioners and researchers from across the world to deliberate on advancing equitable and community-centred development.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
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