The International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, was proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 48/163 of December 21st, 1993, and launched on December 9th, 1994.

Under the theme "Indigenous People: Partnership in Action," the Decade offers an opportunity to strengthen further the partnership established between indigenous people and the international community, and between indigenous people and States.

The International Decade of the World's Indigenous People is seen as an opportunity to take up the challenge of alleviating the situation of indigenous populations and to intensify efforts to respond to their legitimate demands and needs. In this respect, it is important to achieve the following goals:

• Raise international awareness of the contribution of, and problems faced by, indigenous people throughout the world;
• Promote and protect the rights of indigenous people;
• Empower indigenous people to make choices and enable them to retain their cultural identity while participating in national economic and social life, with full respect for their cultural values, languages, traditions and forms of social organization;
• Educate indigenous and non-indigenous communities on the situation, cultures, languages, rights and aspirations of indigenous people;
• Consult and cooperate with indigenous people in taking decisions that affect their lives;
• Acknowledge the value and diversity of the cultures and the forms of social organization of the world's indigenous people;
• Train and provide technical assistance to indigenous people as well as support to indigenous initiatives; and
• Improve the socio-economic conditions of indigenous populations as well as their political participation in national decision-making.

Major accomplishments of the International Decade would be the adoption of the draft declaration by the United Nations General Assembly and, as reiterated in General Assembly resolution 50/157, the establishment of a permanent forum for indigenous people within the United Nations. The purpose of the forum would be to create a permanent arena where indigenous people could raise and discuss with Governments matters of interest to them.

A programme of activities for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People was adopted by the General Assembly in 1995 (resolution 50/157) to allow different actors involved - including the United Nations system, Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and other interested parties - to plan activities in order to raise awareness of the issues of concern to indigenous people.

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