Welcome to the United Nations
Addressee: Member States, IPO, UN systems, UNESCO
Full Text
Within the framework of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and its Action Plan, the Forum recommends that:
(a) All United Nations bodies and Governments initiate new ethnographic studies that re-evaluate stereotypical views on gender relationships within indigenous populations in order to challenge existing misconceptions by highlighting diverse community roles in which indigenous women wield real power and play leadership roles;
(b) Member States with indigenous populations develop multicultural public policies with a view to implementing the contents of the Declaration and strengthening, in an equitable manner, local cultures;
(c) UNESCO promote the recovery of underwater indigenous heritage, the oral tradition and ancient writings with a view to recognizing them as the heritage of humanity.
Responses
(a) UNESCO participates in the interagency task force on indigenous women and will explore this recommendation further with partner agencies.
(b) and (c) UNESCO's response is carried out within the framework of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and its Action Plan. The Action plan identified 20 areas where interventions are necessary, which include not only cultural heritage protection, but much more, moving beyond conventional cultural spheres to include issues related for example to multicultural societies and education, indigenous knowledge systems, intercultural dialogue, strategies for cultural pluralism or the use of new technologies and media.
(c) The UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage was adopted in 2001 and is undergoing the ratification process. There is no specific mentioning of indigenous heritage, but Rule 5 says "Activities directed at underwater cultural heritage shall avoid the unnecessary disturbance of human remains or venerated sites".
A publication on water issues raised by indigenous peoples during the 3rd World Water Forum (Kyoo, March 2003) is under preparation with the Wageningen University within the framework of UNESCO's interdisciplinary project on "Local Indigenous Knowledge Systems" (LINKS). It will include reflections on worldviews, traditional water management methods and rights, as well as the Indigenous People's Kyoto Water Declaration. The publication will also serve to sensitise decision-makers to the need to strengthen the voice of indigenous peoples at the next World Water Forum schedules for 2006.
The UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted in 2003 and currently under ratification is a key international standard-setting instrument for the promotion and recovery of indigenous oral tradition. Article 2 refers to oral traditions and expressions as one of the manifestations of intangible cultural heritage, including language as a vehicle. The Convention also foresees to incorporate in the "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" the items already proclaimed "Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". These masterpieces include oral heritage and cultural manifestations of the Zapara People (Equador, Peru), the graphic and oral traditions of the Wajapi (Brazil), the oral traditions of the Aka Pygmies (Central African Republic) and the HudHud Chants of the Ifugao (Phillipines)
Final Report of UNPFII Session 3 (2004)
Area of Work
