Alessandra Manzini

Alessandra Manzini

Researcher in Socio-Ecological Systems dynamics, circular bioeconomy & Socio-technical transitions

Heritage-Sensitive policies in the Andes, Chaco and Amazonia

Ancestral Lands, Spiritual Landscapes, and Indigenous-Led Conservation in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF)

Short Abstract

This hybrid seminar and dialogue brings together Indigenous leaders, representatives of local communities, researchers, practitioners, and policy experts to examine Indigenous territorial governance, rights-based conservation, spiritual landscapes, and biodiversity conservation across the Andes, Amazonia, the Chaco, and Afro-descendant territories. The dialogue focuses on how Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) contribute to the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) through Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs), Indigenous Territories of Life (ITTs), and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), while addressing the legal, political, and cultural conditions necessary for recognising Indigenous governance and collective territorial rights.

SPANISH

Este diálogo examinará la implementación del Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica (CDB) y de las Otras Medidas Eficaces de Conservación Basadas en Áreas (OECMs) a través del reconocimiento de las Áreas Conservadas por Pueblos Indígenas y Comunidades Locales (ICCAs) y los Territorios de Vida de los Pueblos Indígenas (ITTs). Analizará de manera crítica los desafíos que persisten para determinar quién es reconocido como indígena, quién posee derechos legítimos sobre la propiedad y la gobernanza de la tierra, y si los marcos jurídicos existentes reconocen realmente las instituciones y sistemas de gobernanza indígenas o si se limitan únicamente a reconocer su ocupación espacial.

Proposed Date:
9 July 2026

Proposed Schedule

Brasilia, Brazil       11.00 BRT
Paris, France         16.00 CEST
Lima, Peru             9.00 PET
Buenos Aires, Argentina11.00 ART

Format:
Hybrid Symposium hosted at Landscape Alliance Hub Perú and PLACES Lab, CY Cergy Paris University

Organiser:
Alessandra Manzini, PLACES Lab – SPIRAL Project
Cross-cultural study of sustainable management practices of spiritual landscapes

Institutional Co-Organisers

  • CY Cergy Paris University, PLACES Lab (Alessandra Manzini, Anne Hertzog)
  • Landscape Alliance, Lima (Rocío Vasquez, Gabriela Gonzales)
  • Chiang Mai University, BA Heritage Project (Aj. Marco Haenssgen)
  • LAST lab University Ca’Foscari of Venice (Danile Brombal)

Registration

The registration is recommended for getting the link

https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/heritage-sensitive-policies-in-the-andes-chaco-and-amazonia-tickets-1993010715701

AGENDA

11:00–11:05 (Brasília BRT) | 16:00–16:05 (Paris CEST) | 09:00–09:05 (Lima PET)
Gabriela Gonzales (Landscape Alliance)
Welcome and Opening Remarks: Framing Indigenous territorial governance, ICCAs, ITTs, and biodiversity conservation.

11:05–11:10 (Brasília BRT) | 16:05–16:10 (Paris CEST) | 09:05–09:10 (Lima PET)
Rocío Vasquez (Landscape Alliance)
Multi-stakeholder Conservation Dialogues in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

11:10–11:20 (Brasília BRT) | 16:10–16:20 (Paris CEST) | 09:10–09:20 (Lima PET)
Alessandra Manzini (PLACES Lab, CY Cergy Paris Université – SPIRAL Project)
SPIRAL Project in the Andes and Amazonia: Framing the research questions and conceptual themes of the symposium.

11:20–11:40 (Brasília BRT) | 16:20–16:40 (Paris CEST) | 09:20–09:40 (Lima PET)
Representative of the GTA Kandozi (TBC)
Indigenous Territorial Governance and Conservation in the Kandozi Territory.

11:40–12:00 (Brasília BRT) | 16:40–17:00 (Paris CEST) | 09:40–10:00 (Lima PET)
Representative of the Harakbut Nation (Madre de Dios Region) (TBC)
Territorial Governance, Forest Stewardship, and Indigenous Conservation in Madre de Dios.

12:00–12:20 (Brasília BRT) | 17:00–17:20 (Paris CEST) | 10:00–10:20 (Lima PET)
Walter Sey Izquierdo (Arhuaco Representative)
Regenerating the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta: Indigenous-led Conservation and Territorial Governance in Colombia.

12:20–12:35 (Brasília BRT) | 17:20–17:35 (Paris CEST) | 10:20–10:35 (Lima PET)
Luca Citarella Menardi
Reclaiming Ancestral Lands: Introducing the Arhuaco Struggle through the case of the Seykun land restitution.

12:35–12:50 (Brasília BRT) | 17:35–17:50 (Paris CEST) | 10:35–10:50 (Lima PET)
Moderated Discussion & Questions
Dialogue with Indigenous representatives and Luca Citarella Menardi.

12:50–13:05 (Brasília BRT) | 17:50–18:05 (Paris CEST) | 10:50–11:05 (Lima PET)
Alejandro Argumedo (SWIFT Foundation & Asociación ANDES)
Biocultural Diversity Conservation and the Governance of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in the Andes.

13:05–13:20 (Brasília BRT) | 18:05–18:20 (Paris CEST) | 11:05–11:20 (Lima PET)
Lygia Fernandes Zamali (Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra)
Anthropoblind—It Is Not Development: The Self-Determination of Peoples as an Instrument of the Sacred.

13:20–13:35 (Brasília BRT) | 18:20–18:35 (Paris CEST) | 11:20–11:35 (Lima PET)
Lorenzo Langbehn (Instituto de Estudios para el Desarrollo Social)
Communal Uses of the Forest, Livelihoods, and Conservation in the Argentine Chaco.

13:35–14:00 (Brasília BRT) | 18:35–19:00 (Paris CEST) | 11:35–12:00 (Lima PET)
Final Discussion and Closing Remarks
Rights-based conservation, Indigenous territorial governance, ICCAs, OECMs, and implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Key Policy Frameworks

The discussion focuses on three main instruments:

  • Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs)
  • Indigenous Territories of Life (ITTs)
  • Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

These instruments are increasingly central to achieving Target 3 of the KM-GBF.

However, their implementation raises important questions. For example, how can they strengthen Indigenous governance? And how can they protect collective land tenure and cultural continuity?

Recognition, Rights, and Sovereignty

A central issue is the difference between recognition and sovereignty.

On the one hand, many states formally recognise Indigenous stewardship of forests and sacred landscapes.
On the other hand, this recognition often remains limited.

In many cases, it is restricted to:

  • usufruct rights
  • co-management
  • conservation responsibilities

However, Indigenous Peoples increasingly demand more than recognition as stewards. They seek recognition as:

  • rights-holders
  • landowners
  • governing authorities

Therefore, the symposium explores key tensions between:

  • territorial ownership
  • customary law
  • institutional autonomy
  • legal pluralism
  • definitions of Indigenous identity

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

By bringing together Indigenous knowledge holders, researchers, and practitioners, the symposium aims to:

  • strengthen rights-based conservation approaches
  • support Indigenous territorial governance
  • improve implementation of ICCAs, ITTs, and OECMs
  • contribute to KM-GBF Target 3
  • promote legal recognition of Indigenous institutions
  • enhance collective land rights and self-determination
  • support biocultural diversity and adaptive governance

Ultimately, the goal is to align global biodiversity policy with Indigenous rights and lived territorial realities.