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August 9th, celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples |
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Both, the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995-2004) and their International Day, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly
August 10th, 2004/UNESCO – Havana
This year is the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, every 9 of August this celebration is a space for reflection, and comparison between the step forwards in defence and promotion of indigenous peoples´ human rights and the respect and exercise of these rights. United Nations and their specialized offices for cooperation, the own indigenous peoples and its organizations, keep working very hard to implement the recognition of indigenous peoples identity and its participation in the decision making.
“This commemoration is an opportunity to celebrate the richness of indigenous cultures and the contributions of indigenous peoples to the human family. But more importantly, it is a chance for men and women everywhere to take stock of the situation of indigenous peoples in our world today, and of how much more needs to be done to improve their lives,” appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in its message on the International Day of the World Indigenous People.
Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO stands out the “major advances” carried out during the Decade World’s Indigenous People to obtain recognition for their rights, but he affirms that their life condition “remain precarious. Their tangible and intangible cultural heritage is still vulnerable; the threats linked to globalization, migration and environmental factors are very real, and social and economic discrimination remain manifest.”
Likewise, the Director-General distinguishes the prominent position of indigenous peoples in the world, representing the indigenous cultural diversity, “one of the remarkable specific features of indigenous peoples continues to be the outstanding wealth of their traditions, knowledge and skills, together with their forceful determination to pass these assets on to future generations. Thus, indigenous peoples still hold the key to unique traditional knowledge about their natural environment. To ignore that wealth and diversity would be to impoverish our humanity while cultivating a terrible feeling of frustration relating to their sense of identity.”
The General Assembly on December 23rd, 1994, proclaimed 9 August of every year as the International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples during the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (resolution 49/214). This date remembers the date when the first meeting was held in 1982, by the Working Group on Indigenous Population of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
The main objective of the Decade is “strengthening of international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, education and health” and its programme of work sets standards in regards to indigenous peoples values and cultural diversity, as well as their specific traditions for social organization and it places particular emphasis on their contributions to humankind. The coordinator of the Decade is The High Commissioner for Human Rights. In April 2000, the Human Rights Council adopted the resolution stating the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, supported by Economic and Social Council on July 28th, 2000 (Resolution 2000/22). The mandate of the Forum is to address indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.
Interview for Barcelona Forum 2004, Julian Burger, responsible for the indigenous program of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stands out not only the success obtained but also the challenges still to overcome in these 10 years of work. Among the firsts, Mr. Burger stresses the creation of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. On the other hand, the slow preparation of UN Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, document of 45 items and after years of work just 2 items have been approved, was another subject discussed. Finally recalls that the Universal Declaration still has to go through two other meeting (September and December) before de Decade is finished.
While positive changes go forwards for the defence of indigenous peoples, the threat of extinction is still over these cultures. In general, these populations exceed about 350 millions peoples in more that 70 countries all over the world, and represent more than 5000 languages and cultures.
Documents:
Message of the UNESCO Director-General
Links with United Nations Web Pages (Source: Dag Hammarsjkjöld Library)
United Nations:
• International Day of the World's Indigenous People
• UN Secretary-General's message (SG/SM/9437)
• Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
• Global Issues on the UN Agenda - Indigenous people
• In celebration of indigenous peoples: exhibition 11 May - 10 Aug. 2004
• Indigenous peoples (UN Cyberschoolbus)<
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
• Indigenous People
• International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995-2004)
• Documents on Indigenous People
• Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations
• Voluntary Fund for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People
• Working Group on Indigenous Populations
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD):
• Indigenous Peoples
• Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Development
International Labour Organization (ILO):
• Indigenous Peoples
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
• Indigenous Peoples
• Indigenous Peoples - Resource Center
Unesco:
• Action in favour of indigenous peoples
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO):
• Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Folklore, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences
World Bank:
• Indigenous Peoples and the Bank
• Global Fund for Indigenous Peoples
• Indigenous Knowledge Program
• Development Gateway -
Indigenous Peoples
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Related Link(s): Indigenous Peoples, Cultural Policies |
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