The Center for International Settlement and Development (CISD) envisions a world where people from all spectra of society, including the indigenous population of a particular geographic region, would be able to safeguard their identities and live a life of mutual respect.
CISD will proactively pursue research programs to help preserve and save from extinction the distinctive cultural heritage and linguistic identities of the indigenous population around the world.
Through sheer awareness of issues, such as the right of self determination and an all inclusive political system in the countries where the indigenous population face discrimination and marginalization at the hands of the majority, the Center will put emphasis on an egalitarian system of governance and deliverance. This will include advocacy and literacy campaigns in the regions long forgotten by the majority population living in urban areas.
Issue Statement
Expansion and settlement of societies throughout different territories is a universal phenomenon, almost a defining thread, which runs throughout the entire course of human history. Many of the cross-cultural interactions which arose as a result of these historical encounters involved societies which might properly be considered as indigenous, either from their own viewpoint or that of external societies.
Most often, these past encounters between indigenous and “non-indigenous” groups lack contemporary account or description. Any assessment or understanding of impact, result, and relation can at best only be surmised using archaeological, linguistic or other reconstructive means. Where accounts do exist, they frequently originate from the viewpoint of the colonizing, expansionary or nascent state.
To varying degrees, these issues have been tackled by government programs executed in collaboration with international organizations. However, vulnerability and empowerment of indigenous population has been neglected. While feudal agricultural practices and landholding patterns have changed and agricultural yields increased, few of the benefits have trickled down to the poorest segment of the indigenous population. Education and employment opportunities come to these people later and on a disproportionate level. Access to modern health-care continues to be elusive, contributing to the difficulties of daily life.
It is the overarching goal of CISD to accurately and fairly document interactions between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in order to preserve cultures and livelihoods. CISD pledges its support to tribal, nomadic and indigenous peoples in need, hoping to champion their causes and offer aid however and whenever available. While feudal agricultural practices and landholding patterns have changed and agricultural yields increased, few of the benefits have trickled down to the poorest segment of the indigenous population.
Personal Message of the Founder
The Center for International Settlement and Development (CISD) has evolved from PEN Foundation International. It was created to benefit tribal and nomadic people. As a former teacher in tribal nomadic region of Iran, I witnessed first hand how the tribal nomads had been left behind or isolated.
CISD is an advanced organization that better addresses the needs of all the stakeholders. There was a tremendous learning curve with regard to funding, resources, and structuring of nonprofit NGOs following PFI. This organization has grown as a result of countless studies and interfacing with the UN bodies. It aligns its missions closely with UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
-Hakim Said
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