Programme of Activities for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, G.A. res. 50/157, U.N. Doc. A/RES/50/157 (1995)



                
      The General Assembly,
 
      Bearing in mind that one of the purposes of the United Nations, as set
forth in the Charter, is the achievement of international cooperation in
solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or
humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex,
language or religion,
 
      Recalling its resolutions 48/163 of 21 December 1993 and 49/214 of 23
December 1994 on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People,
and Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/28 of 3 March 1995,
 
      Recalling also that the goal of the Decade is to strengthen
international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous
people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education
and health, and that the theme of the Decade is "Indigenous people:
partnership in action",
 
      Recognizing the importance of consultation and cooperation with
indigenous people in planning and implementing the programme of activities for
the Decade, the need for adequate financial support from the international
community, including support from within the United Nations and the
specialized agencies, and the need for adequate coordination and communication
channels,
 
      Recalling its invitation to organizations of indigenous people and other
non-governmental organizations concerned to consider the contributions they
can make to the success of the Decade, with a view to presenting them to the
Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on Prevention of
Discrimination and Protection of Minorities,
 
      Taking note of Economic and Social Council decision 1992/255 of 20 July
1992, in which the Council requested United Nations bodies and specialized
agencies to ensure that all technical assistance financed or provided by them
was compatible with international instruments and standards applicable to
indigenous people, and encouraged efforts to promote coordination in this
field and greater participation of indigenous people in the planning and
implementation of projects affecting them,
 
      Mindful of the relevant recommendations of the World Conference on Human
Rights, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the
International Conference on Population and Development, the Fourth World
Conference on Women and the World Summit on Social Development, and of the
Declaration on the Occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations,
 
      Recognizing the value and diversity of the cultures and forms of social
organization of indigenous people, and convinced that the development of
indigenous people within their countries will contribute to the
socio-economic, cultural and environmental advancement of all the countries of
the world,
 
      1.    Takes note of the final report of the Secretary-General on a
comprehensive programme of action for the International Decade of the World's
Indigenous People and the annexes to that report;
 
      2.    Decides to adopt the programme of activities for the Decade
contained in the annex to the present resolution;
 
      3.    Also decides that the programme of activities for the Decade may
be reviewed and updated throughout the Decade and that at the mid-point of the
Decade the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly should review
the results of the activities to identify obstacles to the achievement of the
goals of the Decade and to recommend solutions for overcoming those obstacles;
 
      4.    Affirms as a major objective of the Decade the adoption by the
General Assembly of a declaration on the rights of indigenous people;
 
      5.    Welcomes the establishment of an open-ended inter-sessional
Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights with the sole purpose of
elaborating a draft declaration, considering the draft contained in the annex
to resolution 1994/45 of 26 August 1994 of the Subcommission on Prevention of
Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, entitled "Draft United Nations
declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples", for consideration and
adoption by the General Assembly within the Decade;
 
      6.    Also welcomes the decisions of the Economic and Social Council to
approve the participation of some organizations of indigenous people in the
Working Group, and encourages the continuing cooperation of the Council, the
Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations and the Centre for Human Rights of
the Secretariat in processing further applications as a matter of priority in
accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights and
the Council;
 
      7.    Recognizes among the important objectives of the Decade the
consideration of the possible establishment of a permanent forum for
indigenous people within the United Nations, as recommended in the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human
Rights, held from 14 to 25 June 1993, and welcomes the report of the workshop
on the possible establishment of a permanent forum for indigenous people held
at Copenhagen from 26 to 28 June 1995 and the ongoing dialogue on this
subject; 
 
      8.    Recommends that the Secretary-General, drawing on the expertise of
the Commission on Human Rights as well as the Commission for Sustainable
Development and other relevant bodies, undertake a review, in close
consultation with Governments and taking into account the views of indigenous
people and of the existing mechanisms, procedures and programmes within the
United Nations concerning indigenous people, and report to the General
Assembly at its fifty-first session;
 
      9.    Also recommends that the Commission on Human Rights, drawing on
the results of the review and the Copenhagen workshop, consider the convening
of a second workshop on the possible establishment of a permanent forum for
indigenous people with the participation of independent experts as well as
representatives of Governments, organizations of indigenous people and other
non-governmental organizations concerned and United Nations bodies and
specialized agencies;
 
      10.   Recognizes the importance of strengthening the human and
institutional capacity of indigenous people to develop their own solutions to
their problems, and, for these purposes, recommends that the United Nations
University consider the possibility of sponsoring, in each region, one or more
institutions of higher education as centres of excellence and the diffusion of
expertise, and invites the Commission on Human Rights to recommend appropriate
means of implementation;
 
      11.   Recommends that special attention be given to improving the extent
and effectiveness of the participation of indigenous people in planning and
implementing the activities for the Decade, including through the recruitment,
where appropriate, by relevant United Nations bodies and specialized agencies,
of staff from among indigenous nationals of Member States, consistent with
Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations and within existing resources
and staff levels;
 
      12.   Recommends that the Secretary-General:
 
      (a)   Request United Nations representatives in countries where there
are indigenous people to promote, through the appropriate channels, greater
participation of indigenous people in the planning and implementation of
projects affecting them;
 
      (b)   Ensure coordinated follow-up to the recommendations concerning
indigenous people of relevant world conferences, namely the World Conference
on Human Rights, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
the International Conference on Population and Development, the Fourth World
Conference on Women and the World Summit for Social Development;
 
      (c)   Urge relevant United Nations conferences to promote and
facilitate, to the extent possible and as appropriate, the effective input of
the views of indigenous people;
 
      (d)   Ensure that information about the programme of activities for the
Decade and opportunities for indigenous people to participate in those
activities is disseminated in all countries and to the greatest possible
extent in indigenous languages, to be financed from within existing budgetary
resources;
 
      (e)   Report on progress made at the national, regional and
international levels in accomplishing these objectives to the General Assembly
at its fifty-first session;
 
      13.   Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to
promote the objectives of the Decade, taking into account the special concerns
of indigenous people, in the fulfilment of his functions;
 
      14.   Requests the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, in his
capacity as Coordinator of the Decade, bearing in mind the contribution that
indigenous people have the capacity to make, to establish, within existing
resources, a unit within the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat,
including indigenous persons, to support its activities related to indigenous
people, in particular to plan, coordinate and implement activities for the
Decade;
 
      15.   Invites the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights to
consider the appointment of a fund-raiser who could develop new sources of
funding for the Decade;
 
      16.   Requests the Administrative Committee on Coordination, through its
inter-agency process, to consult and coordinate on the Decade, with a view to
assisting the Coordinator of the Decade to fulfil his function, and to report
on activities of the United Nations system in relation to the Decade to the
General Assembly in each year of the Decade;
 
      17.   Invites the United Nations financial and development institutions,
operational programmes and specialized agencies, in accordance with the
existing procedures of their governing bodies:
 
      (a)   To give increased priority and resources to improving the
conditions of indigenous people, with particular emphasis on the needs of
those people in developing countries, including by the preparation of specific
programmes of action for the implementation of the goals of the Decade, within
their areas of competence;
 
      (b)   To launch special projects, through appropriate channels and in
collaboration with indigenous people, for strengthening their community-level
initiatives and to facilitate the exchange of information and expertise among
indigenous people and other relevant experts;
 
      (c)   To designate focal points for coordination with the Centre for
Human Rights of activities related to the Decade;
 
      18.   Emphasizes the important role of international cooperation in
promoting the goals and activities of the Decade and the rights, well-being
and sustainable development of indigenous people;
 
      19.   Also emphasizes the importance of action at the national level to
the implementation of the goals and activities of the Decade;
 
      20.   Encourages Governments to support the Decade by:
 
      (a)   Contributing to the United Nations Trust Fund for the Decade;
 
      (b)   Preparing relevant programmes, plans and reports in relation to
the Decade, in consultation with indigenous people;
 
      (c)   Seeking means, in consultation with indigenous people, of giving
indigenous people greater responsibility for their own affairs and an
effective voice in decisions on matters which affect them;
 
      (d)   Establishing national committees or other mechanisms involving
indigenous people to ensure that the objectives and activities of the Decade
are planned and implemented on the basis of full partnership with indigenous
people;
 
      21.   Also encourages Governments to consider contributing, as
appropriate, to the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin
America and the Caribbean, in support of the achievement of the goals of the
Decade;
 
      22.   Appeals to Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations to support the Decade by identifying resources for activities
designed to implement the goals of the Decade, in cooperation with indigenous
people;
 
      23.   Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-first
session the item entitled "Programme of activities of the International Decade
of the World's Indigenous People".
 
                                     ANNEX
 
          Programme of activities for the International Decade of the
                           World's Indigenous People
 
 
                                A.  Objectives
 
1.    Taking into account General Assembly resolution 48/163 of 21 December
1993, the main objective of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous
People 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 the 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 United Nations 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 which enable them
to retain their cultural identity while participating in political, 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
for Social Development as well as all future high-level meetings.
 
6.    An objective of the Decade is the adoption of the draft United Nations
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
halfway through the Decade and at its end.
 
 
              B.  Activities to be undertaken by the major actors
 
                        1.  United Nations observances
 
8.    A formal observance each year on the International Day of the World's
Indigenous People, in New York, Geneva and at 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 Decade.
 
13.   Create a fellowship programme, in collaboration with the Advisory
Services of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat and Governments, to
assist indigenous people wishing to gain experience in the different branches
of the Centre 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, 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 to 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 of 27 July 1988.  The Working Group on Indigenous
Populations of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities 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 of the Decade
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 and taking into account the views of 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, upon its adoption, the
United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous people, considering the
use of audiovisual material for this purpose.  Consider also the involvement
of indigenous experts and their own information networks in disseminating
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.  Operational activities of the United Nations system
 
30.   Establish focal points for indigenous issues in all appropriate
organizations of the United Nations system.
 
31.   Encourage the governing bodies of specialized agencies of the United
Nations system to adopt programmes of action for the Decade 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
to 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 International Conference on Population
and Development, held at Cairo from 5 to 13 September 1994.
 
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, in collaboration with
Governments and indigenous people, 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 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, the environment, development, health, culture and education, 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 machinery of the United Nations system and promoting the direct and active
participation of indigenous people of 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, and promote the exchange of skills and experiences of
indigenous people from different regions.
 
44.   Make funds available at the regional level 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,
including 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 and 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 appropriate 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, starting at the elementary-school level and in accordance with the
age and development of schoolchildren, 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 the Indigenous and Tribal
Peoples Convention of the International Labour Organization (No. 169) and
other international and regional instruments, in close consultation with the
indigenous organizations of each country.
 
53.   Recognize the existence, identity and rights of indigenous people
through constitutional reforms or the adoption of new laws, when appropriate,
to improve their legal status and guarantee their economic, social, cultural,
political and civil rights.
 
54.   Implement chapter 26 of Agenda 21, adopted by 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, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, the Programme of
Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the
Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, as well as the
relevant provisions of future high-level conferences.
 
 
             7.  Activities of organizations of indigenous people
 
55.   Establish an information network which can be linked to the Coordinator
of the Decade 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 content 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 their views on the programmes concerning
their priority rights to Governments, the United Nations and the specialized
agencies and regional organizations.
 
 
          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, when
appropriate and in accordance with national legislation, to provide
information on the problems and proposals of indigenous people and to improve
communications between indigenous communities.
 
64.   Promote indigenous cultures, with due respect for intellectual property
rights, 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.
      

 

 



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