Indigenous Peoples
:: Activities ::
As stated in the "Resolution on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" passed at the Education International World Congress in 1998, EI commits itself to promote the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples to self-determination and recognition of their cultural identity, including the right to learn and to use their own language. To this end, EI has undertaken the following activities.
At the global level, EI conducts a three-yearly Global Survey on the Status of Indigenous Educators through its affiliates worldwide. The first such survey was conducted in 2001. The survey results is then used to prepare EI's triennial report on the Status of Indigenous Education. The report is then presented to EI's World Congress, highlighting common key issues and proposals for progress.
Apart from that, EI holds an Indigenous Peoples' Forum once every three years. The first one was held in 1998. The forum is attended by representatives from EI affiliates as well as partners such as the ILO and Novib (Oxfam Netherlands).
At the regional level, EI organises conferences for teacher organisations to discuss issues related specifically to indigenous peoples in the particular region. One such example is the Indigenous People’s Education Conference (Asia-Pacific Region), organised by EI's Asia-Pacific regional office and the Council of Pacific Education (COPE) in Fiji in December 2003.
All survey results, resolutions and statements on indigenous peoples, educators and education are available for free download from our Resource Library. For more information on the issue, please contact us.