UNESCO: Action in favour of Indigenous Peoples

UNESCO website on its relevant actions:

"The International Decade of the World's Indigenous People was officially launched on 10 December 1994 by the United Nations General Assembly. It is in this framework that International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated every year on 9 August, being the anniversary of the opening of the first session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.

"In partnership with the United Nations and its agencies, UNESCO plays a key role in the Decade which is intended to 'strengthen international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health'. In this respect the programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People recognizes the value and diversity of the cultures of indigenous communities and of their specific forms of social organization, and attaches value to the contributions that they can make to humanity."