Shillong, Sep 27: The Department of Social Work at MIT University, Shillong, organised a consultation conference at Nongjri Elaka on Friday, focusing on indigenous perspectives on development, environmental knowledge, community participation and social action.
The consultation brought together community leaders, environmental activists, researchers and educators to deliberate on the question of who defines development in Indigenous communities. Discussions explored the differences between institutional and community understandings of development, the significance of Indigenous knowledge and the environment and the need for meaningful participation of communities in decisions affecting their land, culture and livelihoods.
The panel discussion was moderated by Juster Lyngdoh, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Social Work at MIT University. The panelists were environmental activist, writer and researcher HH Mohrmen, chairman of Green-Tech Foundation Bansiewdor Nonglang, former Sordar of Raid Lyting and writer on indigenous philosophy Jiten Khongwieng and Bewellson Mawkon, Executive Member, Nongjri Elaka and Rector of Ramakrishna Secondary School, Nongjri.
The discussion particularly highlighted the distinction between consultation and meaningful participation, emphasising that being present in a consultation does not necessarily mean that community voices influence decisions. The panel also reflected on unequal power relationships between government institutions, experts and local communities, and the challenges communities face in making their voices heard.
The consultation concluded with reflections on the need for a more Indigenous and participatory model of development, in which communities have a meaningful role in defining their own priorities and development goals. The discussion emphasised moving from “we know what the community needs” towards “let us listen to what the community says it needs.”
