T he latest issue of Time magazine lists “100 men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world.” They include artists & entertainers, scientists & thinkers, leaders & revolutionaries, builders & titans, & heroes & pioneers. But some in the list, like “mega-swindler Madoff,” are there for the wrong reasons. “As the eclectic lists demonstrates, influence might be a tricky thing to define,” as one AFP press release comments.

A group that does not have power and influence in world affairs can also influence global sustainability and security. That is the group of indigenous peoples (IPs). It is because they inhabit most areas of high biological diversity, on which the long-term security of food and medicine in the world depends. Such areas also have the world’s major rivers, rich mineral deposits, and forests that have a major impact on climate change. IPs also account for most of the world’s cultural diversity, from 4,000 to 5,000 of the world’s 6,000 cultures. But although they can influence the future of the world, in reality they do not for many reasons.

In the Philippines, IPs are in 110 ethno-linguistic groups that comprise about 17% of the country’s population. They live mostly in mountainous areas that are difficult to reach and  are vulnerable to natural disasters, such as the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, which displaced about 20,000 Aetas. But, despite the natural wealth of their habitat, they are the “poorest” of the poor as many of them do not yet enjoy even basic health & social services. Many urbanites look down at them as “primitive” people. Yet, Filipinos can say they have been a cultured people even before 900 AD due to the written, legal culture of IPs in the Philippines.

The challenges now are to help IPs develop ecologically sound livelihood, enjoy improved quality of life, protect and conserve the natural wealth of their habitat. The work starts with understanding IPs, their cultures, environment, the issues and threats affecting them. To do so, tune in/watch Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!) on May 6, 2009, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Manila time), at DZRH-AM radio (666 in Metro Manila, other kHz nationwide), TV (Ch. 9 in Metro Manila, other cable TV channels nationwide), & Internet (http://dzrh.tripod.com or http://dzrh.prepys.com).

G uests of the talakayan, which will focus on Mangyans as example, are: Fr. Ewald Dinter, SVD, head, Mangyan Mission  and co-founder, Mangyan Heritage Center (MHC) and Mrs. Lolita Delgado-Fansler, president, MHC. Dr. Cora Claudio, president, EARTH Institute Asia, will moderate it in conversational Tagalog-English.

Join the contests, campaigns and projects of EARTH/KK! To join all, register as a KK! listener by texting 2299: earth<space>your message.   

KK! co-producers are EARTH Inst. Asia & DZRH, with the support of Unilever, Unilab, Manila Water, Pilipinas Shell, FERN, Inc., Toby's Sports, Delbros Supply Chain Solutions, Yehey.Com, MAP, & Brahma Kumaris, & with the cooperation of GREEN Army, PFST, TOWNS, PBE, AIJC, PEIA, DENR, MabuhayRadio.com, SanibLakas and various egroups and environment-caring groups/individuals.