The Indians of Peru have historically been forced to the margins of the nation's political arena, but there are signs that their situation is gradually improving. In order to encourage indigenous people to run for office, the National Office of Electoral Processes has distributed educational materials including booklets, radio spots and videos in languages such as Aguaruna, Asháninka, Shipibo and three types of Quechua, as well as Spanish. The electoral commission has also announced that by the end of the year, a School for Good Governance will be established to prepare indigenous leaders for the 2006 congressional elections. The school will offer courses in bilingual education, traditional medicine, environmental and ethnic development, sanitation and political decentralization. The electoral laws accord 15 percent of the slots for the November municipal and regional elections for representatives of the 1,274 native communities in the Peruvian Amazon.
