Summary of presentation of information

Chair of the Dialogue: Mr Dario Jose Mejia Montalvo – Member of the Permanent Forum Committee and the leader of the National Indigenous Organisation of Colombia (ONIC)

Panellist: Ms Marjolaine Etienne, The Chair of the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples

• The dialogue was a platform that was reflecting on current events happening in lives of Indigenous Peoples across the world.
• The six mandated areas of the permanent forum are the focus and the guideline that the UN, Regional Members, Member States and Indigenous Peoples Councils around the world can use to further assist underdeveloped indigenous communities in various countries around the world.
• Language, History and Culture preservation of indigenous communities was also a topic of concern in most countries around the globe. In the Americas and certain parts of Asia and Africa, land owned by indigenous people has been lost because of excessive commercialisation and development policies that favour the interests of governments instead of their communities. Organisations such as UNESCO were also identified as institutions that should preserve the culture and history of indigenous peoples across the world and hence, they can protect endangered indigenous communities from extremist governments that are willing to get richer at the price of their indigenous communities.
• Indigenous girls and women in Asia, Africa and the Americas are fighting to contribute positively to their societies and communities. Discrimination entrenched within these societies has eliminated empowerment to women and have left them suffering and exposed to social injustice and abuse.
• Indigenous People’s Youth Forum appealed to be supported by the UN because they are the future of their communities. Developed countries in Asia, South and North America such as Canada, Australia, Brazil to note a few have a role to play to the economic and social development in their regions and through the support of the Permanent Forum and the United Nations.
• Representatives of Europe also urged the permanent forum to continue assisting in the displacement of many Ukrainians across the continent and the world. The war with Russia has placed a heavy burden on the population of Ukraine, without the assistance of the UN, NGO’S and developed countries the culture and history of Ukrainians remain at risk.
• The chair of the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Madame Majorlaine Etienne highlighted that the fund plays a pivotal role in giving indigenous peoples a voice within the UN. The Fund contributes to increased international awareness of the rights, status, and conditions of indigenous peoples worldwide. Grantees of the Fund are also able to build networks, exchange information with other indigenous peoples’ representatives and create partnerships with other indigenous peoples, governments, UN agencies, NGOs and experts. In addition to providing financial support for participation of indigenous peoples in UN meetings, the Fund also builds the capacity and ensures the constructive engagement of indigenous peoples in UN meetings and mechanisms that contribute to strengthening and supporting their work back home

What information shared in this meeting is of significance to The Salvation Army and why?

The information shared at the forum echoed the sentiments that were shared earlier on this year at the ISJC Social Justice call with Territorial Social Justice Secretaries from territories around the world. Issues such as tribalism, racial and social segregation remain prevalent in some of our territories and such issues also affect indigenous communities within those countries.

What is The Salvation Army currently doing to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals addressed in this meeting?

The Salvation Army has a wide array of projects that support the UN sustainable goals. There is still more to be done in addressing issues that relate to indigenous peoples around the globe.

What opportunities are there for The Salvation Army to create or further develop the work in this area?

Opportunities to further develop such work can be difficult, indigenous peoples and their communities are important just as all people within a community or a country. Understanding such marginalised communities is a step in the direction and can allow the Salvation Army to find solutions within affected territories. Civil Society, local cultural projects, educational initiatives and partner organisations can help the Army at large to help and create inclusive societies for the better.

Web links for more information

• The UNFPII interactive dialogue: (8th meeting) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Twenty-first session: Discussion on the six mandated areas | UN Web TV
• United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples: BookletVoluntaryFund.pdf (ohchr.org)
• Indigenous Peoples Regional Dialogues: backgroundpaper-virtual-regional-dialogues.pdf