On 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples will shine a spotlight on indigenous media – television, radio, film, and social media – and their role in helping to preserve indigenous peoples’ cultures, challenge stereotypes, and influence the social and political agenda.   

“Let us use the media – indigenous and non-indigenous, and especially new outlets – to create bridges and establish a truly intercultural world, where diversity is celebrated; a world where different cultures not only coexist but value each other for their contributions and potential,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message for the day.

Staff around the world are invited to watch the event taking place at UN Headquarters on 9 August from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. on “Indigenous media, empowering indigenous voices” at www.un.org/webcast.

The event will feature remarks by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Mr. Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; and Grand Chief Edward John, Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues – followed by a panel discussion with representatives of indigenous media organizations from across the world and a screening of a selection of video clips produced by indigenous peoples.

The organizing team in the Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is made up of dedicated staff members – some of them indigenous themselves: Chandra Roy-Henriksen, an indigenous Chakma woman from Bangladesh, and Chief of the secretariat; Mirian Masaquiza, an indigenous Kichwa from Ecuador; and Sonia Smallacombe, an indigenous Maramanindji from the north of Australia.

Around the world, UN Information Centres are organizing events.

About the International Day

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated annually on 9 August, in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations, held in Geneva in 1982. The International Day was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994.

For more information on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, please see:
www.un.org/en/events/indigenousday or social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples.aspx