The International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) is preparing to host its Global Conference in Kenya in February 2025. This Conference holds significant importance as IFIP sets foot for the first time in the African region, specifically in Kenya. Africa presents distinctive challenges for Indigenous Peoples, spanning land rights issues, cultural preservation, and access to resources. Hosting the conference in Kenya offers an invaluable opportunity to amplify the voices and priorities of Indigenous Peoples in Africa, who often find themselves marginalized or sidelined in global discussions. By bringing IFIP to Africa, it ensures that African Indigenous Peoples have a platform to voice their perspectives on crucial issues such as land rights, climate justice, and cultural preservation.
The Conference stands as a pivotal moment, fostering collaboration and partnership-building among IFIP members, larger philanthropic partners, Indigenous-led funds, Indigenous. This upcoming Conference builds on the successes and insights gained from previous conferences, as well as the recommendations from the Africa Dialogue in 2023. The goal is to deepen discussions and collaborations around critical issues facing Indigenous Peoples globally and facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration between funders, Indigenous Peoples. With a focus on promoting Indigenous self-determination, the conference will provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and partnership-building among Indigenous communities, funders, and stakeholders. This will include reflecting on donor practices and strategies that need to change to better align with Indigenous values and the 5Rs- Respect, Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Relationship and Redistribution- of Indigenous Philanthropy. In promoting the 5Rs of Indigenous Philanthropy, IFIP works towards decolonizing philanthropy and prioritizing Indigenous representation in decision-making spaces. It also emphasizes Indigenous self-determination and intergenerational and intersectional leadership at all levels.