Come learn about the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and how it can aid in your advocacy efforts and put pressure on governments to respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights. 

Sunday, September 21, 2014
4:30pm-6:00pm
Columbia University Law School
Jerome Greene Hall 103
425 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027

Indigenous Peoples represent remarkable diversity – more than 5,000 distinct groups in some 90 countries, making up more than 5 per cent of the world’s population, some 370 million people. These peoples continue to self-identify as distinct peoples with strong links to traditional territories with their own social, economic and political systems as well as unique languages, cultures and beliefs.

By Madeline McGill

Next week, Indigenous representatives from around the Globe will be headed to New York City to participate in the UN’s World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. This high-level meeting of the General Assembly will address the issues of rights in regards to Indigenous communities.

By Madeline McGill

September 22, 2014 marked an important day for Indigenous communities everywhere. It was the first of a two-day gathering of the General Assembly at the United Nations in NYC, the first-ever World Conference of Indigenous Peoples.

Throughout the day, over 1,000 Indigenous delegates gathered with Government and UN officials, national human rights institutions, and various heads of state to discuss the best methods to approach and solve issues pressing Indigenous Peoples.

The annual commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was held on August 9, 2014 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event highlighted the importance of implementing the rights of Indigenous peoples and marks the twentieth year of the global celebration.

"We must ensure the participation of indigenous peoples – women and men – in decision-making at all levels. This includes discussions on accelerating action towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and defining the post-2015 development agenda."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

2014 Theme: "Bridging the gap: implementing the rights of indigenous peoples"