NCIV is the only organization in The Netherlands that has a primary focus on the promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples. NCIV has been working for the last forty years to create awareness about indigenous peoples’ issues and to advocate the rights of indigenous peoples both in The Netherlands and at the United Nations.  One of the major successes of this work has been the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in 2007. Being a Dutch-based organization, NCIV  has made a strategic choice to now focus on the implementation of this Declaration by The Netherlands. NCIV works to stimulate relevant actors in the Dutch society, such as the government, multinationals and NGO’s to improve the well-being of indigenous peoples. In this way NCIV, being a small organisation with limited resources, can still be an effective partner for indigenous peoples. For more information about our mission and programme >>

What can you do?

Buy sustainable products

What most people do not realize is that in this globalized world many of your actions may impact the lives and well-being of indigenous peoples. Natural resources, such as timber, oil, palm oil, soy, etc., necessary to make the products we consume, may originate from indigenous territories and banks that hold our savings could be investing in industrial projects on indigenous territories. We might travel to visit indigenous peoples to get to know their cultures and unique lifestyles without realizing the impact this may have on their cultures. In general, being conscience, and acting to reduce your social and ecological footprint can make a great difference. To reduce your footprint on indigenous peoples, we make a few suggestions:

• Buy FSC-certified timber

About half of the worlds’ indigenous peoples live in tropical rain forests. The destruction of the forest, because of legal or illegal logging, is a major threat to indigenous peoples. More info on FSC; http://www.fsc.nl/nl/index.phtml

• Invest sustainable.

Put your money where your mouth is. http://sparen-duurzaam.startpagina.nl/ and http://www.duurzaam-beleggen.nl/

• Travel sustainable

Tourism is one of the important threats to indigenous peoples, as they are mostly confronted with the downsides of it (such as environmental degradation and infringements on their social, cultural and spiritual life), but hardly see any (economic) benefits. Book your trip that includes visits to indigenous peoples through a travel agency with strict social and sustainability criteria. Their guides know about the do’s and don’t of visits to indigenous villages. One of the agencies NCIV has advised on their policies towards indigenous peoples is Sawadee.

• Buy fair trade products

Many of the world’s natural resources are located on indigenous territories and forests that are home to indigenous peoples are cut down for agricultural production. In some cases the indigenous people are used for cheap labour or even abused as slaves. Therefore it is important to be aware of the origin of the products you buy and that social criteria (such as the rights of indigenous peoples and labour standards) are met. For more info on fair trade products: http://www.fairtrade.org/

Make a donation

NCIV’s work is only possible with the help of institutional and private donors. We therefore greatly appreciate your support!

There are several ways to transfer your donation:

• If you want to make a periodical donation please download this form and send it by mail or fax.
• A one-time deposit on our bank account; nr. 2017500, att. NCIV, Amsterdam. Please state the word “donation” in the subject line.
• You can also make a one-time donation using your creditcard, 0900-HelpOns, Wally, PayPal of iDeal, by using this form: [ online donatieformulier]
• For more possibilities please contact Wim van Schie, tel. 020 693 86 25 or send an e-mail using our contact form

NCIV is an officially recognized non-profit institution at the Dutch tax office (belastingdienst). Therefore your donation is to be discounted on your tax declaration.

Since 2008 NCIV has a CBF certificate. The ‘Commissie Keurmerk van het Centraal Bureau Fondsenwerving' (CBF), is the organisation that issues a quality label for fundraising non profit organisations For more information about CBF and the criteria for the quality label: www.cbf.nl

Become a volunteer

NCIV is always looking for motivated and qualified volunteers. For current positions please check our vacancies.

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