Freunde der Naturvölker e.V. (FdN)

Qui sommes-nous

Freunde der Naturvölker e.V. (FdN - Friends of Peoples Close to Nature) is registered as a non profit making human rights organisation and is the German section of the global network fPcN.

FdN’s work ranges from publications, campaigns, direct survival aid and the purchase of land for peoples remaining isolated, to the building up of tribal schools and educational assistance. Numerous scientists, authors, journalists and activists work for us. They bring together almost 20 years of experience – not only at the desk but also in the field, with the people on the spot.

FdN was founded in 1991, by formerly active members of the Society for Threatened Peoples (GfbV). The main reason was the marginalisation of the most vulnerable cultures, the hunters and gatherers, in the policies and work of the GfbV. The GfbV concentrates 90% of its work on the so-called large ethnic groups such as the Sinti and Romanies, Tibetans and Kurds, or religious groups such as Iraqi Christians.

FdN is active worldwide for the preservation of cultural variety and in particular works for the survival of the smallest ethnic groups such as the pygmies, San (bushmen), Papua or negritos as stipulated by UNESCO. The Magna Charta, passed by UNESCO, anchors the human right to cultural self-determination in international law. We, like UNESCO, consider the conservation of cultural variety to be just as important as the preservation of biological variety on our planet. This means that safeguarding their existence and identity has the highest priority for the preservation of these cultures.

FdN considers itself to be the mouthpiece of every indigenous group calling for the right to its own traditions. This means that these peoples decide their future for themselves (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) and that we respect and support this decision. This self-determination approach also complies with the requirements of the United Nations. FdN doesn’t step in until these peoples come to us for assistance and thus authorise us to do so. This also implies that FdN is against enforcing typically western development ideologies upon them in any form.

As far as we are able, we stand by these peoples in word and deed against any activities which threaten their environment, such as large scale industry, or national governments which wish to push aside indigenous tribes. We see the indigenous peoples as an integral part of nature conservation and not, like some nature conservation organisations, as an obstacle to it.

On request I/we can offer other net participants advice, an expert opinion or a presentation. We can provide up-to-date information and contacts in the field of our work.