long development projects in the world had one message for those who inhabited the territories in which these would be implemented, "Depart for here comes the bulldozer." To justify the need to implement these projects, these are considered of high interest to national development, and community input was not taken into account when making decisions. Today few would justify the invocation of national sovereignty to violate the collective rights of human groups and the decision of the authority must be devoid of any arbitrariness and authoritarianism.
The rush to obtain a license environment should not lead to the omission of the principles and procedures that enable timely, comprehensive and legitimate query, because this helps to identify the impacts of the projects. Cases such as the dam of El Cercado and Puerto Brisa, La Guajira, should serve as an example. Human groups that have lived for centuries in an area are familiar with the various species are found there, and understand the interrelationships between the various ecosystem resources, including the interdependence of species of fauna and flora, seasonal variations and long-term reproduction of animal and plant life and growth, movement and productivity. However, this knowledge is usually ignored, and the dialogue between companies and communities often focus on haggling over the material rewards provided by the project leaders.
consultation processes should not be mere unilateral notice as it has in the past. The simple provision of information to communities is not enough. For a long time CorteConstitucional Colombia considered that the 'consultation' is not required to produce an agreement or obtain the consent of the respective community. However, in Case T-769, 2009, the Court decided to protect the rights of due process and consultation of affected communities exploitationof mineral exploration and Northern Mande, located in Antioquia and Chocó, suspending these activities. This has meant a profound shift in case law to require as a condition: the free, prior and informed of the potentially affected communities.
Colombia signed the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2009. Simultaneously, the country prepares for a significant increase in mining activity. This means bring visions of the future among his countrymen. Social subjects produce different symbolic representations of the environment and have different conceptions of 'development' or perhaps better the 'Welfare'. How to promote this dialogue seemingly unintelligible?
from some social and political look at the processes of consultation with indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities as an obstacle that can affect the development of extractive industries in the country, just as expected bonanzas económicas.No possible, however, the right to community consultation seeks to protect groups considered different from the majority population and have the right to self-determination and collective rights under national and international. The free and informed consultation is a sound principle of good governance which should help to reduce poverty, environmental and social impacts, inequalities and injustice.
wilderguerra@gmail.com
