The first days of the UN’s Working Group on Indigenous Populations were devoted to discussion of the human rights situation in indigenous communities. Later, delegates turned their attention to the subject of traditional knowledge, and ways in which decades- sometimes centuries worth- of “indigenous” social capital could be best protected in this age of bio-piracy and globalization.

But halfway through the week, delegates at the UN’s 23rd Annual Working Group on Indigenous Peoples (WGIP) looked beyond the past and even the present. They were thinking to the future, sharing their predictions of what the second decade held in store for the world’s indigenous peoples.

Once again, opinions and recommendations were as diverse as the delegates presenting them, a testament to the specific traditions of indigenous communities and the differences between them. Some representatives underscore the need for effective aid in the Second Decade. Other proposed stricter monitoring of States’ treatment of indigenous peoples. Conflict resolution also emerged as a central theme in the advancement of indigenous communities, particularly in states ravaged by war for much of the first decade.

But there was no divergence of opinion on one proposal that found its way into the statements of virtually all the representatives- the notion that the Second Decade had to bring vast improvement to the lives of the world’s indigenous peoples.

Kayombya Jean Damascene of the Fondation Batwa [Foundation Batwa], representing the indigenous peoples of Central Africa, criticized the inefficacity of various conventions. “Mr. Chairman”, he stated, “Just as nobody has wished to be born black, white or anything else; or wished to be born in an underdeveloped or a developing country; neither has anybody wished to be stateless or a refugee.” His comment shed light on the importance of peace and conflict resolution for the coming decade.

Ghazali M. Ohorella of Bangsa Adat AlifUru underscored the importance of the Working Group to the progress of indigenous peoples, listing “absolute continuation” of the Working Group and “appropriate funding” as key for the Second Decade. The Pacific Caucus of Indigenous Peoples added to this list, proposing the immediate adoption of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the UN, and a comprehensive study by a Special Rapporteur to assess the Impacts of Colonisation on Indigenous Peoples.

Chairman Miguel Alfonso Martinez offered some advice of his own, his recommendations delineating education as a prerequisite to such goals as conflict resolution and better relationships between indigenous peoples and decision-making bodies.

Indeed, only once local populations are literate can they begin to think about development in their countries, and establish relationships with the UN. With the completion of discussion on Indigenous Peoples in the Second Decade, discussion will move to legal commentary on the concept of free, prior and informed consent. The experts will also share their opinions on the week’s developments.