Information Note on the Working Group on Indigenous Populations 2003
   

This is to inform you that the twenty-first session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations will meet at the United Nations Office in Geneva from 21 to 25 July 2003. The Working Group is open to representatives of indigenous organizations, peoples and communities as well as representatives of Governments, non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies. The report of the Working Group on its twentieth session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2002/24) can be found on our website: www.unhchr.ch.

You are invited to contribute, with relevant information and data, to the main theme of this year’s session « Indigenous Peoples and Globalization». Proposals for future standard-setting activities and studies to be undertaken by the Working Group are also welcome, as the members of the Working Group are about to elaborate a list with commentaries on both of these issues. Indigenous organizations and the indigenous caucus are invited to submit a working paper on appropriate action that might be undertaken by the Working Group as follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. All contributions should be received by our office by 30 April 2003.

If you wish to participate, your organization should inform our Office by letter or fax with the name(s) of your delegate(s) so that we can send you the corresponding invitation and prepare the security badges that will allow you to access the meeting. On arrival in Geneva, you will obtain your badges from the UN Security Office, Villa Feuillantines, opposite the main entrance of the Palais des Nations.

The application deadline to obtain travel and other financial assistance from the UN Voluntary Fund was 1 October 2002. Please note that the UN cannot provide any further opportunities for financial assistance for participation in the 2003 Working Group.

We also wish to inform you that there will be two meetings prior to the Working Group this year. One is the Fourth International Workshop on Indigenous Children and Youth (Geneva, 17-18 July 2003) and the other one is a preparatory meeting for indigenous peoples (Geneva, 19-20 July 2003). Both events will take place at the World Council of Churches Headquarters. Further information on these meetings can be obtained from Mr. Eugenio Poma (Tel : 41 22 791 60 45 ; Fax : 41 22 791 64 09 ; E-mail : epa@wcc-coe.org).

We look forward to hearing from you.

With best regards,

Isabell Kempf
Secretary
Working Group on Indigenous Populations