WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS CONCLUDES ITS SIXTEENTH SESSION

HR/98/56
3 August 1998

Chairperson Underlines Great Need for Indigenous Peoples to Have Access to All Forms of Education

The Working Group on Indigenous Populations concluded its sixteenth session at midnight on Friday, 31 July, 1998 after five days of discussions which focused on issues related to indigenous education and language.

In her closing statement, Chairperson Erica-Irene Daes (Greece) said it was clear that there was a great need for indigenous peoples to have access to all forms of education. She noted that indigenous peoples had spoken of the need for public education systems to be more sensitive to the indigenous, notably regarding language. Ms. Daes said the Working Group had been addressed by indigenous educators and people who were struggling to preserve their language, and she noted that such sharing of knowledge could only help all indigenous people to preserve their language and identity.

The Working Group also discussed, among other things, issues related to indigenous peoples’ health; draft declaration of rights; treaties and agreements between States and indigenous peoples; a permanent forum for indigenous peoples in the United Nations; and the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. Ms. Daes said the agenda item on indigenous peoples and their relationship to land would be considered in greater detail next year.

The Working Group will present its report to the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities which started its meeting on Monday, 3 August 1998.

The Working Group’s annual meeting offers a unique experience within the United Nations for indigenous peoples to participate and exchange views and ideas. This year, around 1,000 persons participated, mostly indigenous representatives.