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Indigenous and Local Community Participation in the Multi-Level Governance of the Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve in Peru

Lombira Alcantara, Florangel Lubitsa LU (2025) MIDM19 20251
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Department of Human Geography
Abstract
This thesis examines the extent to which Indigenous and local communities are able to meaningfully participate in the governance of the Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve (BIOAY). Peru is a mega-diverse country and has eight Biosphere Reserves, which operate through a multilevel governance model that prioritizes Indigenous and local participation for successful sustainable development outcomes. Nevertheless, growing socio-ecological challenges have raised concerns about the effectiveness of such participation, particularly in BIOAY. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and document analysis to capture key insights into stakeholder perspectives and governance... (More)
This thesis examines the extent to which Indigenous and local communities are able to meaningfully participate in the governance of the Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve (BIOAY). Peru is a mega-diverse country and has eight Biosphere Reserves, which operate through a multilevel governance model that prioritizes Indigenous and local participation for successful sustainable development outcomes. Nevertheless, growing socio-ecological challenges have raised concerns about the effectiveness of such participation, particularly in BIOAY. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and document analysis to capture key insights into stakeholder perspectives and governance processes. The analysis draws on Cohen and Uphoff’s (1980) framework on participation in rural development, Aguilar-Støen’s (2015) work on power and participation, and Piattoni’s (2010) multi-level governance analytical framework. Findings reveal an important divide: while Indigenous and local communities frame participation as a bottom-up, rights-based process essential to territorial governance, state actors, international organizations, NGOs, and civil society conceptualize it as a top-down process to enhance governance effectiveness, sidelining its political dimension. Power asymmetries, a byproduct from the colonial legacy in Peru, are argued to be at the center of this divergence, which systematically limits Indigenous and local participation to a symbolic act. (Less)
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author
Lombira Alcantara, Florangel Lubitsa LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Participatory approach, multi-level governance, Indigenous communities, local communities, power asymmetries
language
English
id
9195853
date added to LUP
2025-06-11 13:10:20
date last changed
2025-06-11 13:10:20
@misc{9195853,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines the extent to which Indigenous and local communities are able to meaningfully participate in the governance of the Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve (BIOAY). Peru is a mega-diverse country and has eight Biosphere Reserves, which operate through a multilevel governance model that prioritizes Indigenous and local participation for successful sustainable development outcomes. Nevertheless, growing socio-ecological challenges have raised concerns about the effectiveness of such participation, particularly in BIOAY. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and document analysis to capture key insights into stakeholder perspectives and governance processes. The analysis draws on Cohen and Uphoff’s (1980) framework on participation in rural development, Aguilar-Støen’s (2015) work on power and participation, and Piattoni’s (2010) multi-level governance analytical framework. Findings reveal an important divide: while Indigenous and local communities frame participation as a bottom-up, rights-based process essential to territorial governance, state actors, international organizations, NGOs, and civil society conceptualize it as a top-down process to enhance governance effectiveness, sidelining its political dimension. Power asymmetries, a byproduct from the colonial legacy in Peru, are argued to be at the center of this divergence, which systematically limits Indigenous and local participation to a symbolic act.}},
  author       = {{Lombira Alcantara, Florangel Lubitsa}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Indigenous and Local Community Participation in the Multi-Level Governance of the Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Biosphere Reserve in Peru}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}