INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

24 July 2001




TO BE COMMEMORATED AT THE PALAIS DES NATIONS



The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People will be commemorated at the Palais des Nations on Thursday, 26 July, with cultural presentations by indigenous groups from around the world.

The official date for this day is 9 August but it was decided by the High Commissioner for Human Rights that the commemoration should be held during the annual session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations which ends on 28 July.

The ceremony will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Ariana Park, in front of the Armillary Sphere. Vladimir Petrovsky, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva; Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights; and the Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations will address the gathering.

The statements will be followed by cultural presentations by indigenous groups from Africa, Latin America, and the Oceania Region. Indigenous children will also deliver a message.




INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE


PROGRAMME



9.30 a.m.

- Speech by Vladimir Petrovsky, Director-General, United Nations Office, Geneva

- Speech by Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights

- Speech by Chairperson, Working Group on Indigenous Populations



9.45 a.m.

- Delivery of message by Indigenous Children

- Cultural performance by Maori Children – Indigenous People of New Zealand

- Cultural performance by Aya Wayra - Indigenous People of Ecuador

- Cultural performance by the Masai Indigenous People of Africa



11.00 a.m.

Closing ceremony by the Indigenous Fellowship Members

Lighting the candle of hope





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