DOCUMENT: 95-13053.TXT U N I T E D N A T I O N S Economic and Social Council ENGLISH Distr. Original: ENGLISH GENERAL E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/1995/5 GE. 95-13053 24 July 1995 COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities Working Group on Indigenous Populations Thirteenth session 24-28 July 1995 Item 7 of the provisional agenda INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE REPORT OF THE TECHNICAL MEETING ON THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE Chairman-Rapporteur: Mr Antonio Garcia 1. General Assembly resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994 recommended that a second technical meeting on the planning of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People be convened immediately prior to the thirteenth session of the working Group on Indigenous Populations with the participation of Governments, United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and indigenous people's organizations. In accordance with the above-mentioned resolution, a technical meeting on the International Decade was held at the United Nations Office at Geneva on 20 and 21 July 1995. 2. The following Member States of the United Nations attended the meeting: Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Republic of South Africa, Russian Federation, Uruguay, United States of America. 3. The following United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations attended: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Development Fund, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations Department of Information, International Labour Office, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Health Organization, World Bank. 4. The following non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council attended: Baha'i International Community, International Federation Terre des Hommes, International Service for Human Rights, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, World Council of Churches. 5. The following indigenous organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council attended: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, Indian Law Resource Center, Indigenous World Association, International Indian Treaty Council, International Organization of Indigenous Resources Development, Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Saami Council, World Council of Indigenous Peoples. 6. Forty indigenous people's, organizations and groups also attended the Technical Meeting. 7. In addition representatives from 38 other organizations as well as a number of individuals attended. In total the Technical Meeting was attended by 270 people. A full list of participants is contained in document E/CN.4/1995/TMIP/INF.1. 8. The following information was made available to the meeting: Provisional agenda (E/CN.4/1995/TMIP/1); Note by the Secretariat (E/CN.4/1995/TMIP/2); Note by the Secretariat on the establish a voluntary fund for the Decade (E/CN.4/1995/TMIP/3); List of attendance (E/CN.4/1995/TMIP/INF.1); Preliminary report on a comprehensive programme of action for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (A/49/444); Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Chapter 26) (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol.II)). 9. The Technical Meeting was opened by Mr John Pace, Chief of the Leg elation Branch at the Centre for Human Rights. Mr Antonio Garcia (Peru) was nominated to chair the Technical Meeting. 10. It was decided to make two changes to the provisional agenda. Item 6 was reformulated as "Other matters" and item 7 was reformulated as "Adoption of the report". The provisional agenda as amended was adopted. 11. Under item 3 entitled "organization of work", it was decided to use annex I of the Secretary-General's preliminary report to the General Assembly on a comprehensive programme of action for the International Decade (A/49/444) as a working document. It was also decided to use chapter 26 of Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (A/CONF.151/26 (vol. III)) as a base document. Furthermore, reference was made to other important documents which might serve as sources for the eventual elaboration of the programme of activities of the Decade, including the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23), the Programme of Action of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (A/CONF.171/13) and the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit on Social Development (A/CONF.166/9). 12. The proposals recommended for inclusion in the programme of activities of the International Decade as adopted by the Technical Meeting on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People are contained in annex I of the present document. ANNEX I DRAFT PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE A. OBJECTIVES 1. Taking into account General Assembly resolution 48/163, the main objective of the Decade is the strengthening of international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, health, culture and education 2. The specialized agencies of the United Nations system and other international and national agencies, as well as communities and private enterprises, should devote special attention to development activities of benefit to indigenous communities. 3. A major objective of the Decade is education of indigenous and non-indigenous societies concerning the situation, cultures, languages, rights and aspirations of indigenous people. In particular, efforts should be made to cooperate with the Decade for Human Rights Education. 4. An objective of the Decade is the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous people, and their empowerment to make choices that enable them to retain their cultural identity while participating in national, economic and social life, with full respect for their cultural values, languages, traditions and forms of social organization. 5. An objective of the Decade is to further the implementation of the recommendations pertaining to indigenous people of all high level international conferences, including the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the World Conference on Human Rights, in particular its recommendation that consideration be given to the establishment of a permanent forum for indigenous people in the United Nations system, the United Nations Conference on Population and Development, and the World Summit on Social Development as well as all future high level meetings. 6. An, objective of the Decade is the adoption of the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples and the further development of international standards as well as national legislation for the protection and promotion of the human rights of indigenous people, including effective means of monitoring and guaranteeing those rights. 7. The objectives of the Decade should be assessed by quantifiable outcomes that will improve the lives of indigenous people and that can be evaluated half-way through the Decade and at its end. B. ACTIVITIES OF THE MAJOR ACTORS 1. UNITED NATIONS OBSERVANCES 8. A formal observance each year on the International Day of Indigenous People, in New York, Geneva and other offices of the United Nations. 9. Official observance of the Decade as part of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and other international conferences related to the aims and themes of the Decade. 10. Issuance of a special series of stamps by the United Nations Postal Administration highlighting the goals and themes of the Decade. 2. ACTIVITIES OF THE COORDINATOR AND THE CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 11. Establish, as a matter of urgency, an adequately staffed and resourced indigenous people's unit. 12. Request Governments to second qualified indigenous people, in consultation with interested national indigenous organizations, to assist in the administration of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. 13. Create a fellowship programme, in collaboration with the Advisory Services of the Centre for Human Rights and Governments, to assist indigenous people wishing to gain experience in the different branches of the Centre for Human Rights, and in other parts of the United Nations system. Such fellowships might be available for indigenous research and other similar activities. 14. Open a roster of indigenous experts in various fields who might be available to assist United Nations agencies, in collaboration with Governments as appropriate, as partners or consultants. 15. Create an advisory group of persons with relevant knowledge of indigenous issues, and acting in their personal capacity' to advise the Coordinator for the Decade and United Nations organizations, at their request. The members of this advisory group could include eminent indigenous persons, governmental representatives, independent experts and officials of the specialized agencies. 16. Consider the need to hold coordination meetings of Governments, organizations of the United Nations system and indigenous and non-governmental organizations, as necessary, to consider, examine and evaluate Decade activities and develop an integrated, action-oriented strategy to advance the interests of indigenous people. The Economic and Social Council should hold mid-term and end-term reviews of the Decade in accordance with its resolution 1988/63. The Working Group on Indigenous Populations should review international activities undertaken during the Decade and receive information from Governments on the implementation of the goals of the Decade in their respective countries. 17. Compile, on the basis of communications of the focal points in the United Nations system, a regular news-sheet containing information about meetings of interest, major or innovatory projects, new sources of funding, policy developments and other news to be widely distributed. 18. Encourage the development of partnership projects in association with Governments to address specific regional or thematic issues bringing together Governments, indigenous people and appropriate United Nations agencies. 19. Establish an information programme linking the Coordinator to focal points of the United Nations system, national committees for the Decade and, through appropriate channels, indigenous networks; also develop a database of indigenous organizations and other relevant information, in cooperation with indigenous people, Governments, academic institutions and other relevant bodies. 20. Organize meetings on relevant themes of concern to indigenous people with indigenous participation. 21 Launch a series of publications on indigenous issues to inform policy makers, opinion-formers, students and other interested people. 22. Develop, in collaboration with Governments, training programmes on human rights for indigenous people, including the preparation of relevant training materials, when possible in indigenous languages. 23. Establish a board of trustees or advisory group, including indigenous people, to assist the Coordinator of the Voluntary Fund for the International Decade. 24. Encourage the development of projects and programmes, in collaboration with Governments, indigenous people and the appropriate United Nations agencies, for support by the Voluntary Fund for the Decade. 25. Ensure, in coordination with Governments and indigenous organizations, the necessary measures to guarantee financing of the objectives of the Decade. 3. UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACTIVITIES 26. Produce and disseminate a series of posters on the Decade using designs by indigenous artists. 27. Organize a lecture series at United Nations Information Centres and campuses linked to the United Nations University, using indigenous speakers. 28. Publish in indigenous languages the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international human rights conventions and the declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples on its adoption. Consider the use of audiovisual material for this purpose. Consider also the involvement of indigenous experts and their own information networks to disseminate information about the Decade. 29. Prepare, in collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights, information about indigenous people for distribution to the general public. 4. UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES 30. Establish focal points for indigenous issues in all appropriate organizations of the United Nations system. 31. Adopt programmes of action for the Decade in the governing bodies of specialized agencies of the United Nations system in their own fields of competence in close cooperation with indigenous people. 32. Urge Governments to ensure that the programmes and budgets of relevant intergovernmental organizations give priority and devote sufficient resources for furthering the aims of the Decade, and request that regular reports on the action taken be submitted to the governing body or executive council of each organization. 33. Prepare, publish and disseminate a manual containing practical information for indigenous people on the operations and procedures of United Nations agencies. 34. Develop research on the socio-economic conditions of indigenous people, in collaboration with indigenous organizations and other appropriate partners, with a view to publishing regular reports in order to contribute to the solution of problems faced by indigenous people, taking into account paragraph 6.26 of the Programme of Action of the United Nations Conference on Population and Development. 35 Encourage Governments to establish appropriate mechanisms and practices to ensure the participation of indigenous people in the design and implementation of national and regional programmes of concern to them. 36. Hold regular inter-agency consultations with indigenous people, in collaboration with Governments to exchange views and develop strategies on the programme of action for the Decade. 37. Hold consultations with Governments to examine, with national committees and development agencies, possibilities of cooperation in the activities of the Decade. 38. Develop training materials for indigenous people on human rights, including the translation of the main international instruments into different indigenous languages, and give them wide distribution. Consider the possibility of using radio programmes in order to gain access to indigenous communities not having written languages. 39. Prepare a database on national legislation on matters of particular relevance to indigenous people. 40. Hold consultations of all interested parties on the themes of human rights, development, the environment, health and education and culture with a view to elaborating programmes in these areas. 5. ACTIVITIES OF REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 41. Implement existing and develop new regional programmes of action to promote and support the objectives of the Decade. 42. Hold regional meetings on indigenous issues with existing regional organizations with a view to strengthening coordination, taking advantage of the United Nations system machinery and promoting the direct and active participation of indigenous people of the different regions in collaboration with Governments. The Working Group on Indigenous Populations could consider the possibility of holding its sessions in conjunction with these meetings. 43. Develop training courses and technical assistance programmes for indigenous people in areas such as project design and management, environment, health and education. Promote the exchange of skills and experiences of indigenous people from different regions. 44. Make funds at the regional level available to activities benefiting indigenous people. 45. Encourage regional organizations to draw up regional instruments for the promotion and protection of indigenous people in the framework of their own structures and promote existing regional instruments. 6. ACTIVITIES OF MEMBER STATES 46 Establish national committees for the Decade or similar mechanisms, to include indigenous people, all relevant departments and other interested parties duly convened by Governments, to mobilize public support for the various activities connected with the Decade. 47. Intensify coordination and communication at the national level between relevant ministries, agencies, regional and local authorities by establishing focal points or other mechanisms for coordination and dissemination of information. 48. Use part of the resources of existing programmes and of international assistance for activities of direct benefit to indigenous people and, where possible, provide additional funds for specific activities. 49. Develop, in collaboration with indigenous communities, national plans for the Decade, including main objectives and targets, fixing quantitative outcomes and taking into account the need for resources and possible sources of financing. 50. Provide adequate resources for indigenous institutions, organizations and communities to develop their own plans and actions according to their own priorities. 51. Adopt measures, in cooperation with indigenous people, to increase knowledge among the non-indigenous population, starting at the elementary school level, concerning the history, traditions, culture and rights of indigenous people, with special emphasis on the education of teachers at all levels, and adopt measures to restore indigenous place names. 52. Consider ratification and implementation of ILO Convention 169 and other international and regional instruments in close consultation with the indigenous organizations of each country. 53. Legally recognize the existence, identity and rights of indigenous people through constitutional reforms and the adoption of new laws to improve their legal status and guarantee their territorial, economic, social, cultural, political and civil rights. 54. Implement chapter 26 of Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and the relevant provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the Programme of Action of the United Nations Conference on Population and Development, the Programme of Action of the World Summit on Social Development as well as the relevant provisions of future high-level conferences. 7. ACTIVITIES OF INDIGENOUS ORGANIZATIONS 55. Establish an information network which can be linked to the Coordinator and facilitate communications between the United Nations system, relevant governmental departments and indigenous communities. 56. Indigenous organizations and international indigenous networks should develop information for local communities concerning the goals of the Decade and the activities of the United Nations. 57. Establish and support indigenous schools and university- level institutions and collaborate with the relevant United Nations agencies; participate in the revision of school texts and the contents of programmes of study in order to eliminate discriminatory contents and promote the development of indigenous cultures and, where appropriate, in indigenous languages and scripts; develop indigenous curricula for schools and research institutions. 58. Create documentation centres, archives and in situ museums concerning indigenous people, their cultures, laws, beliefs and values, with material that could be used to inform and educate non-indigenous people on these matters. Indigenous people should participate on a preferential basis in the administration of these centres. 59. Establish and promote networks of indigenous journalists and launch indigenous periodicals at the regional and international levels. 60. Indigenous people may transmit to Governments, the United Nations and its specialized agencies and regional organizations, the programmes concerning their priority rights. 8. ACTIVITIES OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES, INCLUDING EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS, THE MEDIA AND BUSINESS 61. Cooperate with indigenous organizations, communities and people in the planning of activities for the Decade. 62. Non-governmental organizations working with indigenous people should involve indigenous people in their activities. 63. Create radio and television centres in indigenous regions to provide information on the problems and proposals of indigenous people and to improve communications between indigenous communities. 64. Promote indigenous cultures through the publication of books, the production of compact discs, and the organization of various artistic and cultural events which enhance knowledge of and serve to develop indigenous cultures and establish indigenous cultural and documentation centres. 65. Involve different social and cultural groups in the activities planned for the Decade. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: -= THE FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT =- :: :: A service provided by :: :: The Center For World Indigenous Studies :: :: www.cwis.org :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Originating at the Center for World Indigenous Studies, Olympia, Washington USA www.cwis.org © 1999 Center for World Indigenous Studies (All Rights Reserved. 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