The Organization of American States (OAS) will celebrate, from August 5-9, the VII Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples with a series of activities to highlight indigenous communities' right to access to justice, a clean and healthy environment and their right to protect communities, and the world, against the impact of climate change.
Under the theme, "Empowering Indigenous communities to exercise their right to access to justice and to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment," the commemorative week will also serve as an opportunity to highlight the ancestral knowledge of indigenous communities, their role as guardians of the global ecosystem, and their protagonism in the climate change agenda.
The Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro and the Assistant Secretary General, Nestor Mendez will inaugurate the week on Monday August 5th, with a ceremony at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Governor General of Belize, Dame Froyla Tzalam, will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony, which will be followed by a ceremony to unveil paintings donated by Permanent Missions to the OAS which depict indigenous culture.
This year's activities will also include:
August 5th-9th
Lecture series: Interviews with leaders and youth indigenous community members, as well as national authorities, who will share their experiences on how indigenous communities are using traditional indigenous customs along with modern technology to foster environmental preservation and sustainable development.
Featured Profiles: Representatives of indigenous communities recognized for their social leadership in achieving a cleaner and healthier environment will be highlighted on this page of the OAS Website, as well as on social media platforms.
*The Offices of the General Secretariat in member states will organize events related to the commemoration, emphasizing best practices in indigenous communities which create a healthy environment in the fight against climate change.
Thursday, August 8th
Webinar on "Older Indigenous People: Realities and Challenges": an event that will delve into the unique experiences and challenges faced by older indigenous individuals. Experts will discuss critical issues such as healthcare access, cultural preservation, and social support, as well as their resilience and contributions, and the systemic barriers they face. The event can be followed here.
Friday, August 9th
Special Meeting of the Permanent Council to Celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the Inter-American Week: This meeting will include the participation of high-level authorities from various subregions of the hemisphere and will provide an opportunity for a constructive dialogue on the chosen theme for 2024. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Organization's online platforms.
Monday, August 12th, 2024
Special Edition of A Chat with the OAS, a live virtual event on the topic: "Lessons learned from Indigenous Communities to Protect the Environment and Limit the Impact of Climate Change." The talk will include interview discussions with recognized indigenous leaders to address the importance of empowering Indigenous communities to exercise their right to a healthy environment. Register here.
WHAT: Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples
WHEN: August 5th-9th, 2024
WHERE: OAS headquarters, Offices of the General Secretariat in the member states, and social media channels.
Reference: AVI-114/24
