UN highlights vital role of media in empowering world’s indigenous people
UN News Centre, 9 August 2012
NEW YORK, USA: Marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, UN senior officials highlighted the key role played by the media in empowering indigenous people, stressing that traditional and new media are an essential component to help them preserve their cultures, participate in the social and political aspects of their societies and challenge stereotypes. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova stressed the importance of using indigenous media to integrate indigenous people to the sustainable development model. “At a time when debate has opened on the contours of a new global sustainability agenda, the voices of indigenous peoples must be heard,” she said. “Their rights, cultures and the knowledge systems must be taken into account.” Ms. Bokova emphasized that the media provide a way to fight isolation and discrimination, particularly for indigenous women, by providing them with a way to bolster their voices and promote changes in attitudes and social behaviour. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples James Anaya stated that indigenous media can help reduce the marginalization and misinterpretation of indigenous voices, which has been detrimental to their attempts to secure and understanding of their rights within the broader societies in which they live. Read the release … Visit the SPFII webpage on the Day including links to all messages … Read the TK Bulletin post of 8 August 2012 …
