The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is committed to advancing development with identity. Indigenous peoples are frequently marginalized by society and their traditional cultures are threatened on several fronts. The IDB seeks to promote sustainable economic development while simultaneously protecting cultural legacies throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Development with identity strengthens indigenous peoples by prioritizing harmonious and sustainable interactions with the environment through the sound management of natural resources and territories, and promoting respect for cultural, economic and social values in accordance with indigenous worldviews.

Voice and Visibility: African descendants and the Inter-American Development Bank

The Inter-American Development Bank has a long standing commitment to promote economic development and improving the well-being of communities in the Americas. Quality information and data are key for better incorporating African descendants in development processes and policy making.

Visibility and Economic Inclusion

The ongoing exclusion of African descendants from the economic and cultural lives of their nations has an impact on democratic governance, citizen security, and the ability of several subregions to meet strategic development targets such as the Millennium Development Goals. The IDB works through out the region to support their visibility and economic inclusion.

São Paulo Diverso

Inclusive Economic Development Forum

The IDB has recently partnered with the municipal government of São Paulo and the private sector to develop tools to analyze and measure development gaps facing vulnerable groups in São Paulo. This collaboration seeks to leverage the joint capacity of the public and private sectors to improve the livelihoods and opportunities of the city’s Afro-descendant population and has seem supported by several major companies including Carrefour, Citibank, Coca-Cola, Google, Grupo Colombo and Johnson & Johnson.

Somos Afro!

A Voice for African Descendant Municipalities

The IDB and AMUNAFRO (Association of Mayors of Afro-Descendant Municipalities) have jointly funded the launch of Somosafro.org, designed to provide a voice for the constituents of predominantly black municipalities. This platform allows individuals to propose ideas and solutions to the problems that impact their communities. Suggestions range from promoting cultural identity and social innovation to improving local governance and economic development. Currently, 22 communities in five countries are members of the Somos Afro network.