Every year on 9 August, the United Nations observes the International Day for the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The theme for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2023 will be ‘Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination’ with the sub-themes: Climate Action and the Green Transition; Mobilizing for Justice and Intergenerational Connections.
Indigenous Peoples represent over 6% of the worlds’ population (476 million in around 90 countries). While noteworthy percentages of Indigenous Peoples live in urban areas, overall approximately 73% live in rural areas globally. Indigenous Peoples speak more than 4,000 of the world’s 6,700 languages. They conserve 80 percent of the world’s remaining biodiversity. To uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples, ensure their equitable access to health services, promote intercultural care and traditional medicine practices, and enhance health equity and action on health determinants impacting Indigenous Peoples, it is important to promote their health leadership in the world.
In 2023, the World Health Assembly, countries adopted Resolution 76.16 calling for a Global Plan of Action on Indigenous Peoples’ Health.WHO is committed to develop the Global Action Plan with the engagement of Indigenous Peoples to ensure their free, prior, and informed consent throughout the development process.
The objectives of this webinar are as follows:
- To highlight the leadership by and for Indigenous Peoples in the health sector, as well as for activities across sectors on key determinants of health such as nutrition and environmental health, around the world.
- To raise awareness of the planetary and One Health needs of Indigenous Peoples and advocate for their rights in relation to health and health environments, across generations.
- To share knowledge on approaches (policies, strategies, programmes and interventions) for the holistic health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples, including in the context of climate action and the green transition, and facilitate learning across countries.
The event is co-organized by WHO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Preliminary programme
Welcome remarks by hosting agencies:
- Erin Kenney, Director, Department for Gender Equality, Human Rights and Health Equity a.i., WHO/HQ
- Juan Carlos Mendoza Casadiegos, Director, Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division, IFAD
Overview of the agenda and introductory remarks/ presentations by co-chairs:
- Maria Lucilene Martins Santos, General Coordinator of Participation and Social Control in Indigenous Health, the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health, Ministry of Health, Brazil (Lucinha Tremembé)
- Clyde Smith, Principal Policy Analyst, Māori Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, New Zealand (Māori)
Panel on country experiences and Indigenous leadership:
- Gladys Mugambi, Head, Directorate of Health Promotion and Education, Ministry of Health, Kenya (Masaai)
- Umashankar Prasad Chaudhary, Commissioner, Tharu Commission, Nepal (Tharu)
- Lena Kroik, Project Coordinator, Centre for Rural Medicine, Region of Västerbotten, Sweden (Sami)
Panel with members of international Indigenous forums on reflections and remarks on Indigenous leadership:
- Myrna Cunningham, Chair, Steering Committee of the Indigenous Peoples Forum at IFAD (IPFI) (Miskita)
- Geoffrey Roth, Expert Member, and Vice-Chair, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) (Lakota-Standing Rock)
Closing remarks and the way forward/ experiences of Indigenous Youth
- Alexis Raven Manzano, Co-chair, UN Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (Yuhaviatam/ People of the Pines)
- Pramila Shrestha, Technical Officer, Department for Gender Equality, Human Rights and Health Equity, WHO/HQ (Newar)