June - ASOCBARI - Cúcuta, Colombia

June 15-16, Center staff and the Bari Peoples' organization, ASOCBARI (Asociación Comunidad Motilón Bari de Colombia), held a human rights training and meeting for Bari Caciques and leaders on international law and mechanisms they can use to address the threats to their communities, lands, and resources. The Bari people presented about the historical and current injustices that they face, including serious threats from oil development and plans to create a large open-pit coal mine adjacent to their territory.

May - People's Summit - Lima, Peru

May 13-16, indigenous peoples and organizations from all over the world gathered for a Peoples' Summit to discuss and develop strategies for addressing common problems. One of the key topics addressed during the meeting was the development initiatives being promoted by states and multilateral development banks in South America, under the banner of the Initiative for the Regional Integration of South America (IIRSA). During the course of the meeting, the Center participated in a workshop on IIRSA to provide participants with more information about the initiative and international law relevant to indigenous rights and development.