CONGO Committee on International Decade for the World's Indigenous People

Description

The NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples includes Indigenous Peoples, representatives of International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). It is a Special Committee member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO).

The NGO Committee began its work on October 16, 1991, seeking to strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations with regard to the 1993 United Nations International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples. on December 8, 1994, the United Nations General Assembly launched the International Decade, and the NGO Committee transferred its mandate from the International Year to supporting the International Decade (1995-2004).

With the launching of the International Decade, the United Nations has pledged to improve the situation of over 300 million Indigenous Peoples worldwide. The General Assembly resolutions have proposed to strengthen international cooperation in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education, and health.
The mission of the NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples is to:

Support the Decades Program of Activities (A/Res/50/157), including the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (August 9);
Promote the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the support the recently established Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues;
Educate the international community about the concerns and issues facing Indigenous Peoples,
Disseminate information about the Decade to Indigenous Peoples and relevant NGOs.

The NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples meets once a month in New York City and invites your participation. Contact numbers are listed at the top of the page.