From complaints to change: safeguarding Indigenous Peoples' Rights

This panel, co-hosted by the FSC Indigenous Foundation and Taiwan Social South Chamber will explore the user experience of FSC’s complaints mechanism, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples. The discussion will address key challenges—such as the system’s complexity, unclear procedures, and the need for culturally appropriate communication to build trust. Drawing on real-world cases from Canada, Peru, Malaysia, and beyond, panelists will highlight barriers, share field experiences, and propose solutions to make the mechanism more inclusive and user-friendly. An analysis of issues related to Indigenous Peoples’ rights in FSC-certified forests—particularly concerning Principle 3 of the FSC P&C standard—will be provided, including case studies of recent disputes. The session will also examine the added value of FSC certification in protecting Indigenous rights compared to non-certified contexts. This dialogue among Indigenous leaders, certificate holders, and system actors will help shape improvements, including a user-centered toolkit. Audience feedback will be encouraged through interactive tools.