Governance Coordinator Graham Atkinson and a team from the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) recently conducted an educational session on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for students at the Bina Hill Institute Youth Learning Centre in Annai Village, North Rupununi.
The session, held on Friday, March 13, 2026, was organised at the request of the Institute and formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen awareness among Indigenous youth about their rights and the governance systems that protect their communities.
The Bina Hill Institute Youth Learning Centre is a training institution that equips Indigenous youth from Guyana’s hinterland regions with practical skills in forestry, agriculture, tourism, and natural resource management. Through its programs, the Institute empowers young people to return to their communities with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to support sustainable development.
Students participating in the session came from Regions Seven, Eight, and Nine, representing several Indigenous communities across the country.
During the session, Graham explained the meaning and significance of FPIC and its application to Indigenous peoples. He told the students that FPIC is an internationally recognised IP right that protects and safeguards Indigenous communities when decisions are being made about their lands, territories, and natural resources. It ensures that Indigenous peoples have the right to be properly informed and to give or withhold their consent before any project, policy, or activity that may affect them is implemented.
FPIC is crucial for protecting Indigenous peoples’ rights, cultures, and traditional lands. Many development activities, such as mining, logging, infrastructure projects, or conservation initiatives, take place in or near Indigenous territories. Without FPIC, communities risk losing control over their lands, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
For the APA, promoting awareness of FPIC among young Indigenous leaders is essential.
The session was interactive, with students sharing their perspectives and experiences on FPIC and community decision-making. Participants discussed how the principle could be applied in their villages and how greater awareness of Indigenous rights can strengthen community governance.