About UNPFII:
- It is a high-level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council.
- It was established on 28 July 2000.
- Mandate:To deal with indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.
- The first meeting of the Permanent Forum was held in May 2002, with yearly sessions thereafter.
- It is one of three UN bodies that is mandated to deal specifically with indigenous peoples’ issues.
- The others are the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoplesand the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of indigenous peoples.
Who are Indigenous Peoples?
- Indigenous peoples have in common a historical continuity with a given region before colonization and a strong link to their lands.
- They maintain, at least in part, distinct social, economic and political systems.
- They have distinct languages, cultures, beliefs and knowledge systems.
- They are determined to maintain and develop their identity and distinct institutions and they form a non-dominant sector of society.
