An article by Bob Scott, released by the World Council of Churches, discussesthe increasingly prominent role of indigenous peoples on the international scene, particularly within the United Nations (UN) system. The Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) was established within the UN 20 years ago, and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held its first meeting last May. The primary objectives of WGIP are to review development in indigenous communities and to propose new standards or regulations to improve their situation. Indigenous representatives have agreed that the Permanent Forum will serve in a complementary role to the WGIP, offering a place for indigenous peoples to share ideas and strategies, offer recommendations on policy, and “raise awareness and promote the integration and coordination of activities relating to indigenous issues within the UN system.” Some governments, however, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S., are contending that the WGIP is no longer necessary, arguing that its work is made redundant by the establishment of the Permanent Forum.
