The DPI/NGO Section invites you to an

NGO Briefing

on

Indigenous Peoples’ Lands, Territories, Natural
Resources: Livelihoods and Emerging Issues
Organized in Cooperation with the NGO committee on the
United Nations International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People


on
19 April 2007
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

at the
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium

Background Information:
The briefing will look at the traditional lifestyles, practices, and struggles of indigenous peoples around the globe. There are over 300 million indigenous peoples living in nearly 70 countries. While they view themselves as caregivers of the land, the needs, rights, and challenges of indigenous communities have remained largely neglected by national governments. Included among the issues to be discussed: the current struggle to maintain their traditional cultures; environmentally sound relationship with the land; and sustainable use of natural resources.

Speakers:
H. E. Mr. Javier Loayza, Chargé d’affaires, Permanent Mission of Bolivia to the United Nations, Ms. Sonia Smallacombe, Social Affairs Officer, Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Mr. Roberto Mucaro Borrero, Chairperson of the NGO Committee on the International Decade for the World’s Indigenous People

UNPFII Vol. 1: Awareness-raising Film; Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Volume 1 will be screened at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Film by Rebecca Sommer for the Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Representatives of NGOs are encouraged to participate during the Q&A segment.

The event may be webcast. If so, it will be available at www.un.org/dpi/ngosection.

Preview of Next Week’s Briefing:
Next week’s DPI/NGO Briefing will be held in observance of World Book and Copyright Day (23 April), as well as World Intellectual Property Day (26 April). The theme for this year’s observance Encouraging Creativity will focus on the value of copyrights and trademarks in protecting individual creativity. Invited speakers include: Mr. Orobola Fasehun, Director, NY Office, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and Mr. Alan Behr, Alston & Bird, LLP.