ABSTRACT

Biosphere reserves can be great models to demonstrate the potential to achieve the SDGs; however, there may be several barriers that are not often considered. To achieve the SDGs, there is a need to ensure that all peoples can participate and be engaged in actions. In many countries, unfortunately, Indigenous peoples, with their knowledge and cultural practices, have not been considered in the development or the management of BRs. This has limited their potential contribution and their capacity to be fully engaged in a transparent and open manner. To achieve sustainable development, the concept of ecosystem governance should be promoted. Besides encompassing the concept of social-ecological system and adaptive management, a major aspect of this concept is the importance of full and respectful engagement of all communities, non-indigenous and Indigenous. Embracing these concepts also means exploring how to devolve to the lowest governance levels – i.e. local communities – most of the responsibilities and capacities to move towards a more inclusive and sustainable system that respects all cultures. Respect in communities means the need for listening, participation and dialogue, which does not follow the current pace of governments and funding organizations. How to reduce the pace to allow all cultures to be part of the process may be a challenge but it is clear that if we want to promote sustainable development in BRs, there is a need to be inclusive and transparent in decision-making and management. This chapter examines these aspects, looking at how, in a few biosphere reserves, this has been possible and discusses potential avenues to enhance cultural respect within BRs to improve opportunities to achieve the SDGs.