International Day of the World's Indigenous People

Aug. 10, 2009 - PRLog -- The World For World Organization (WFWO) and UN NGO IRENE Western Europe is observing  the International Day of the World's Indigenous People today, expressing solidarity and calls for recognition with the international community in upholding the human rights as integral rights for development of the indigenous people across the globe.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People is an opportunity to underline the importance of the rights of indigenous peoples and to pay tribute to the value and resilience of their cultures and sustainable developments way.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People (IDWIP)  will be observed at the United Nations Headquarters on 10th August. This year theme of the observance will be indigenous peoples and HIV/AIDS and the commemoration of the IDWP will include messages from the United Nations Secretary General, the Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs and the Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, performances by indigenous artists, and a panel discussion related HIV/AIDS.

The adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the General Assembly in 2007 was a landmark in the struggle of indigenous peoples for justice, equal rights and development. There have also been recent welcome steps at the national level; some governments have apologised to indigenous peoples for past injustices, and others have advanced legislative and constitutional reforms.

The world’s indigenous peoples – 370 million in 70 countries - are the custodians of some of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. They speak a majority of the world’s languages, and their traditional knowledge, cultural diversity and sustainable ways of life make an invaluable contribution to the world’s common heritage.

"Still,the reality faced by the indigenous peoples remain some of the most marginalised populations, around the globe suffering disproportionately from poverty and inadequate access to education and health and other sustainable developments facilities. Many face discrimination and racism on a daily basis. All too often, their languages and cultural diversity face strictures or are threatened with extinction, while their territories are sacrificed for mining and deforestation  will have more impact on the environmental issues.

"Indigenous peoples also tend to suffer from the low standards of health associated with poverty, malnutrition, environmental contamination and inadequate healthcare. As this year’s observance of the International Day focuses on the threat of HIV/AIDS. It is essential that indigenous peoples have access to the information and infrastructure necessary for detection, treatment and protection.

"Insufficient progress in health as part of MDGs, in particular, points to a persistent and profound gap in many countries between the formal recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights and the actual situation on the ground. On this International Day, The WFWO and UN NGO IRENE Western calls and stand with  on Governments and civil society and NG0's local communities to act united with determination to close this implementation gap, is essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)  in full partnership with indigenous peoples.

Indigenous peoples are disproportionately represented amongst the poor and extremely poor, and suffer from inadequate access to basic healthcare and education, as well as to quality, culturally. A lack of food security poses a threat to indigenous peoples in the Pacific region and around the globe. Agriculture – the main food source – is becoming increasingly vulnerable owing to heat stress on plants and salt water incursions, especially in small island states.  

Indigenous peoples are one of the groups more severely affected by poverty and have not been granted enough attention in MDG-related processes.  This is confirmed by several reports within and outside the UN framework.

The traditional lands of many indigenous peoples. However, the very existence of many of these territories is under threat due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. Soil erosion from destructive wave activity, frequent storm surges and landslides is resulting in land loss to many indigenous communities. As such, an integral part of the culture, heritage and traditions of Pacific indigenous peoples is in jeopardy.  

For example in the Kiribati and a number of other small Pacific island nations could disappear during this century. High tides and stormy seas have also caused problems recently in the Marshall Islands, Cook Island, Tuvalu and low New Guinea.

Plantations and livestock serious threats from new diseases and pests linked to flooding, droughts and other climatic variations.  
 
As the Second Decade of Indigenous Peoples enters its fourth year, it is time to implement all the recommendations contained in the UN Declaration and to encourage governments, non-governmental organisations and the private sector to recognise that the recommendations must be translated into concrete policies if Indigenous Peoples are to participate on equal terms in national and international life to achieve the MDG's objectives.

WFWO celebrates and support the recognition of rights, of Maori communities and other Indigenous peoples worldwide. And WFWO will continue to work alongside secular and faith-based organisations to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ development rights are part of the agenda of the UN  MDGs to redress the historical, social, political, and economic marginalization of Indigenous Peoples around the globe.

"In conclusion insufficient progress in health as part of MDGs, in particular, points to a persistent and profound gap in many countries between the formal recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights and the actual situation on the ground. On this International Day, To achieve this, we all - Governments, indigenous peoples, the United Nations system and NGO's and others concerned - must join our efforts and reach solutions based on true dialogue, mutual understanding, tolerance and respect for human rights. This is no easy task. But it is the only way we can move the rights of indigenous peoples from paper to practice.

WFWO / UN NGO IRENE Western Europe is committed to advocating universal adherence and implementation of the Declaration and will continue to support human rights mechanisms dealing with the rights of indigenous peoples  and calls and stand with  the UN System and  Governments and civil society and NGO's local communities to act united with determination to close this implementation gap, in full partnership with indigenous peoples to implement and to achieve  the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs) objectives".

For more information please contact:
WFWO's Communications Team
E-mail: info@worldforworld.org

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WORLD FOR WORLD ORGANIZATION (WFWO) is a Non – Governmental Organization (NGO). Italian - based non - profit organization, operating in Italy and internationally, WFWO was established in 2002. With clear objectives is to increase public awareness about Global Development Issues, and focuses and development cooperation’s, and resources mobilizations through fundraising Campaigns, to give adequate response and to act decisively on global concerns to support the activities of United Nations agenda for Global Development in 21st Century, in order to achieve the implementation of the Eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)