1993 International Year for the World's Indigenous People
The United Nations has proclaimed 1993 the "International Year for the
World's Indigenous People." During this special year Global Child Health
News and Review will focus attention on the problems and the aspirations of
indigenous people throughout the international community. It is hoped that
this year will mark the beginning of an increased awareness about the lives
and needs of indigenous people.
Who are indigenous people?
Indigenous people, numbering approximately 250 million in more than 70
countries around the world, are broadly defined as those whose ancestors
were the original inhabitants of lands later colonized or settled by others.
Among the characteristics indigenous people share is the fact that their
names for themselves (e.g. Inuit, Kayapo, Hmong, Maori) generally mean
"people" and the names of their lands generally translate as "our land",
reflecting the strong, fundamental relationship they maintain with their
land.
Why is there a special Year for indigenous people?
The Year will give indigenous people, generally the very poorest in their
broader societies, an opportunity to call attention to their ways of life
and to the discrimination and disadvantages they face.
Enormous changes have overtaken these people, with economic developments
such as mining, the construction of dams and extensive logging destroying
the foundation of many of their cultures, displacing and impoverishing them.
Often, indigenous people have not been parties to the decisions affecting
their societies.
The General Assembly resolution on the Year thus calls for a "new
partnership" to be created among indigenous people, governments and the
United Nations, which will help address their needs, promote an
understanding of their cultures and incorporate indigenous communities into
the decision-making process.
source: First Call for Children
Global Child Health & News vol. 1 no.1, 1993
Articles originated by Global Child Health News & Review may be used without
permission, but acknowledgement would be appreciated.