The ACCESO Indigena project researches and develops models for problem-solving, conciliation and other peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms throughout the Americas.

In October 2000, we presented our first workshop on indigenous peacemaking, working with the first-ever group of nationally-selected Chilean public defenders. At a large regional conference, we developed a regional strategy with public defenders to better represent clients from the Mapuche communities.

ACCESO Indigena leader Lilia Velasquez, born in Mexico and an expert on indigenous legal issues, has been coordinating a research project involving judges and public interest lawyers around the Hemisphere with a view to harmonizing techniques in horizontal restorative justice mechanisms. Too often, these more traditional methods of problem-solving have been neglected in the judicial reform process.

ACCESO Trainers have met with Ministry of Justice in Bolivia, Chile, Mexico,and Peru as well as with legal service clients from the remote Guapi Island of Chile to those indigenous populations transplanted in Mexico City in order to test methodologies of horizontal justice.

With ACCESO Indígena, we are exploring the ways in which Latin America has experimented with horizontal justice principles. We will continue to explore existing problem-solving courts and other diversion programs, often as a result of and in spite of institutional neglect, and develop a best practices manual for their management and institutionalization. In short, a series of models must be engineered, tested - and above all - replicated where appropriate.

Our Indigenous Project will undertake this as part of its program in shepherding and empowering judicial innovation in selected targets throughout Latin America.

Watch here the ACCESO Indigena video trailer