World must act to protect indigenous peoples rights, strengthen language...(fwd)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

World must act to protect indigenous peoples rights, strengthen languages,
livelihoods, cultures, says Secretary-General on International day

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sgsm10031.doc.htm

Following is UN Secretary-General Kofi Annans message on the International
Day of the Worlds Indigenous People, observed 9 August:

On this International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People, we rejoice in
the richness of indigenous cultures and the special contributions they
make to the human family.  We also recall the tremendous challenges which
so many indigenous peoples face, ranging from unacceptable levels of
poverty and disease to dispossession, discrimination and denial of basic
human rights.

Launched in 1995, the first International Decade of the Worlds Indigenous
People helped to make the voices of indigenous peoples heard more clearly
around the world, and to focus greater attention on indigenous issues.
This year, we enter a Second Decade, and as we do so, let us remember that
dialogue alone is not enough.  Our focus must be on action to protect the
rights of indigenous peoples and improve their situations with respect to
their lands, their languages, their livelihoods, and their cultures.

The recent Fourth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues focussed with renewed energy on the importance of
indigenous peoples achieving the Millennium Development Goals,
particularly those of eradicating extreme poverty and ensuring primary
education for all.  The Forum stressed the need for a human rights-based
approach to poverty reduction and the full and effective participation of
indigenous peoples in all stages of programmes.  It also recommended
bilingual and intercultural education for indigenous children.  The Forum
sent an important message to next months World Summit in New York that the
partnership and trust built between indigenous peoples and the United
Nations needs to translate into concrete action at the regional, national
and local levels that empower indigenous peoples and strengthen their
identities, languages, cultures, and traditional knowledge.

For indigenous peoples as for all others, lasting progress in development
is intimately connected to progress in peace and security and in human
rights.  The World Summit will consider these three great objectives in a
comprehensive way.  As we look to the Summit, let us resolve to broaden
the circle of solidarity for indigenous peoples everywhere, and to work
with them to make sure that they enjoy the development, peace and
security, and human rights that too many have been denied for too long.