WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS TO HOLD SIXTEENTH SESSION, 27 - 31 JULY, GENEVA
Press Release
HR/4379
WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS TO HOLD SIXTEENTH SESSION, 27 - 31 JULY, GENEVA
19980722(Reissued as received.)
GENEVA, 22 July (UN Information Service) -- The Working Group on Indigenous Populations will hold its sixteenth annual session from 27 to 31 July and will focus this year on issues related to indigenous education and language.
It will debate difficulties for indigenous peoples to access education, as well as practical experiences to improve the situation. Increasingly, indigenous peoples are also emphasizing the need to set up their own education systems in order to protect their language and culture, and this will also be discussed.
The Group offers a unique experience within the United Nations for indigenous peoples to participate and exchange views and ideas. This year, around 800 persons will be participating, mostly indigenous representatives from all areas, including far east Russia, Amazona, and southern Africa. The Working Group reports to the Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.
Participants will hold a preliminary discussion on a study by Special Rapporteur Miguel Alfonso Martinez (Cuba) on treaties and agreements between States and indigenous populations. They will also debate a working paper by Special Rapporteur Erica-Irene Daes (Greece) on indigenous land rights. Other issues which will be raised during this meeting include the consideration of a permanent forum for indigenous people within the United Nations system and the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.
The International Day of World Indigenous People, which is marked every year on 9 August, will be celebrated on 31 July this year with a series of cultural events to coincide with the large gathering of indigenous representatives in Geneva for the Working Group.
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