New UN office to support efforts of permanent forum on indigenous issues

In a bid to help indigenous peoples around the globe, the United Nations has opened a new office to provide expert support and advocacy on economic and social development and other related issues.

The new Secretariat for the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues started operations last week within the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' (DESA) Division for Social Policy and Development.

In addition to economic and social development, the Secretariat aims to help the 16-member Forum - a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - in carrying out its mandate in issues related to culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.

The Secretariat is also intended to raise awareness and promote integration and coordination of activities relating to indigenous issues within the UN system, and prepare and disseminate information on indigenous issues.

According to Elsa Stamatopoulou, acting chief of the Secretariat, one of the main concerns of indigenous peoples is non-discrimination, and what has been recognized over the years is that States need to take positive measures to correct prejudices. "You cannot, by proclaiming equality, have equality," she said in an interview with UN Radio. "You have to take measures, adopt policies over a long period of time."

She added that a draft declaration on indigenous rights under preparation by the UN Commission on Human Rights is currently exploring various schemes for a meaningful indigenous participation in decisions affecting indigenous peoples's lives, along with the articulation of land rights, cultural rights, the right to health and others.