In
1994, the UN General Assembly
decided
that the International Day
of the World's Indigenous People
shall be observed on 9 August every
year during the International Decade
of the World's Indigenous People
(resolution 49/214 of 23 December).
The date marks the day of the first
meeting, in 1982, of the Working
Group on Indigenous Populations of
the Sub commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights.
Already in 1990, the General
Assembly proclaimed 1993 the
International Year of the World's
Indigenous People (resolution
45/164), and in 1993, the Assembly
proclaimed the International Decade
of the World's Indigenous People,
starting on 10 December 1994
(resolution 48/163). The goal of the
Decade is to strengthen
international cooperation for
solving problems faced by indigenous
people in such areas as human
rights, the environment,
development, education and health.
The Coordinator of the Decade is the
Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights; its theme is
"Indigenous people: Partnership in
action"
The Year was requested by indigenous
organizations and is the result of
their efforts to secure their
cultural integrity and status into
the twenty-first century. It aims
above all to encourage a new
relationship between States and
indigenous peoples, and between the
international community and
indigenous peoples -- a new
partnership based on mutual respect
and understanding.
Monday August 9th 2004 the tenth
annual commemoration of the
International Day of the World's
Indigenous People will be
commemorated at United Nations
Headquarters, in the Visitors' Lobby
(First Avenue at 46th Street)
1:15pm. The program will include
statements of the UN
Secretary-General, the Chairperson
of the UN Permanent Forum and others
as well as various indigenous
cultural presentations. The program
is organized by the Secretariat of
the Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues/DSPD/DESA, the Department of
Public Information and the NGO
Committee on the International
Decade of the World’s Indigenous
Peoples. |