Abstract:

Community protocols share some common themes or underlying principles which guide their documentation, development and use. These principles draw on some of the values, practices and procedures of ILCs, which are reflected in their community protocols. The principles also draw on broader concepts and values reflected in hard and soft international legal instruments, such as the Tkarihwaié:ri Code, which provides a list of general ethical principles for engagement with ILCs. These common underlying principles may be useful in the documentation and development of new community protocols. They may also be useful for the development of guiding principles in policy areas relevant to community protocols, including, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, natural resource management, and planning and development.