International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

By resolution 49/214 (link is external)of 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples shall be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. In 1990, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 1993 the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (A/RES/45/164(link is external) A/RES/47/75(link is external))

Each year, UNESCO marks the celebration of the Day by sharing information on projects and activities that are relevant to the annual theme.

Indigenous peoples live in all regions of the world and own, occupy or use some 22% of global land area. Numbering at least 370-500 million, indigenous peoples represent the greater part of the world’s cultural diversity, and have created and speak the major share of the world’s almost 7000 languages. Many indigenous peoples continue to be confronted with marginalization, extreme poverty and other human rights violations. Through partnerships with indigenous peoples, UNESCO seeks to support them in addressing the multiple challenges they face, while acknowledging their significant role in sustaining the diversity of the world’s cultural and biological landscape.

The Ghana National Commission for UNESCO wishes to invite you to join us for a VIRTUAL PANEL DISCUSSION on the theme: “Promoting and Mainstreaming Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices for Sustainable Development.
The discussion is intended to brainstorm on the importance of indigenous practices of Ghana and their role in fostering sustainable development.
The program is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 10:00am on ZOOM: ID: 9522702662; Password: 619063.
Thank you in advance for joining us.