Project Profile
PROJECT UPDATE
Project Overview
This initiative supported the Ministry of Government in Ecuador in enhancing institutional capacity to improve Government-Indigenous dialogue.
Project Profile
The Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) initiative, in collaboration with the Undersecretariat of Government of the Ministry of Government in Ecuador, worked actively to strengthen governmental capacity and enhance dialogue between the national government and Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities of Ecuador. The Ministry, responsible for promoting peaceful social coexistence and mitigating social conflict, played a crucial role in fostering dialogue with Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities in Ecuador.
This initiative sought to bolster the legal framework, values, and principles that underpinned the dialogue process. It also aimed to improve the technical procedures, tools, and mechanisms that supported the implementation of the human rights of Indigenous Peoples and developed participatory processes.
Canadian Technical Experts, Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie and Sashia Leung, who had extensive experience in enhancing institutional capacity for dialogue between government and Indigenous Peoples, collaborated with an Ecuadorian Technical Expert to implement the project. The project included several vital activities and workshops, such as fostering understanding of Indigenous worldviews and cosmovision, exploring the Canadian journey of reconciliation, and sharing best practices from Ecuador and Canada to support the overall initiative.
Key Deliverables
- Capacity Support and Training
- Delivered a three-day technical roundtable to define the Action Plan and Roadmap collaboratively.
- Conducted a four-day workshop focused on Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights
- Technical Support and Knowledge Products
- Prepared a comprehensive set of materials for a workshop
- Delivered a collaboratively developed Roadmap
Project Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The initiative improved the capacity of the Ministry of Government to strengthen dialogue and relationships between the national government and Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities of Ecuador.
A key lesson learned is the importance of fostering inclusive participation. Ensuring that diverse voices are heard in dialogue processes contributes to more representative discussions and strengthens collaboration between government and Indigenous communities.
Direct Project Reach:
- 25 participants engaged through activities conducted and project deliverables
Public Engagement (Canada):
- 85 Canadians reached through outreach and engagement activities
Public Engagement Activities:
- Canadian experts Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie and Sashia Leung:
- Shared updates on social media
- Participated in public engagement sessions at Vancouver Island University.
- Delivered a presentation at Vancouver Island University focused on human rights.
- TAP News article recognized contributions to the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
