9 August: International Day of the World's Indigenous People

Photo by Marigela Orvañanos

Indigenous Forum 2012

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a relatively new UN entity, which discusses issues of indigenous peoples around the world. The mandate of the Forum deals with indigenous issues such as culture, education, health, human rights, and social and economic development.

Indigenous People and the UN

The world’s estimated 370 million indigenous people are found in more than 90 countries, according to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. They regularly face discrimination and are counted among those who are extremely poor, lacking health, education and social services. They are often disproportionally affected by climate change, deforestation and environmental degradation or exploitation.

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