[Posted on behalf of Davina Woods] - Trudy
To my Family, Friends, Colleagues and Comrades
Never forget the past
Always look to the future.
Honour your Ancestors
Live for your children
and
HAVE A GOOD DAY!
Davina
AUGUST 9TH
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
One year after celebrating 1993 as the International Year for the
World's
Indigenous People and after launching the period 1994 - 2004 as the
International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, the United
Nations
General Assembly decided at its 49th session in December 1994 to declare
an
International Day of the World's Indigenous People commencing in 1995
(Resolution 49/214), that day being 9 August. The Secretary General of
the
United Nations would support observation of this day, and encourage
Governments to also observe the day at the national level.
The International Day is designed to focus international attention on
the
situations, rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples. It is also an
opportunity to celebrate the survival and diversity of the world's
Indigenous peoples and their distinct and unique contribution to the
global
community.
The 9th day of August marks the beginning of the first formal contacts
between the United Nations and Indigenous peoples when the Working Group
on
Indigenous Populations met for the first time in Geneva, Switzerland in
1982.
Australia has played a significant role in the last decade in promoting
the
rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples in international human
rights
forums and in particular at the Working Group on Indigenous Populations.
Australia sponsored the General Assembly Resolution (49/214) which
proclaimed the International Day and decided the international program
of
action for the Decade for 1995/96.
The United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations
This year has seen the proclamation of a Permanent Forum for Indigenous
People within the United Nations system. From 1982 till now, the Working
Group has been the only forum within the United Nations system where
Indigenous peoples can raise issues of concern. The Working Group meets
annually in Geneva. It is open to all representatives of Indigenous
peoples
and their communities and organisations from around the world, and is a
focal point of international action on behalf of Indigenous peoples. The
Working Group itself initiated developments leading to the International
Year, the International Decade, the International Day and the Permanent
Forum outcomes.
The Working Group has two primary tasks:
1. to review national developments pertaining to the promotion and
protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous
peoples, and
2. to develop international standards concerning the rights of
Indigenous peoples.
The International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1994 - 2004)
The Decade of the World's Indigenous People was proclaimed by the United
Nations General Assembly at its 48th session in December 1993. The goal
of
the Decade is:
The strengthening of international cooperation for the solution of
problems
faced by Indigenous peoples in such areas as human rights, the
environment,
development, education and health.
The international theme for the Decade is - Indigenous peoples :
partnership
in action.
Major objectives for the Decade are:
* the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Draft Declaration
on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
* the education of Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies
concerning
the situation, cultures, rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples
* the establishment of institutions and mechanisms for the full
and
active participation of Indigenous peoples at the international,
regional
and national levels in matters of concern to them; and
* the establishment of a Permanent Forum for Indigenous peoples in
the
UN system.
In Australia the International Day provides the whole community with an
opportunity to take stock of our efforts - our progress in the process
of
practical reconciliation and our efforts in the areas of Government
commitment and disparate socio-economic status of Indigenous Australians
-
health, housing, employment and education. As part of the range of
activities undertaken by communities in Australia to mark the
International
Day, organisations, governments and relevant bodies can fly the
Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander flags.
--
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