International Women's Day 2012 was 8 March

UNESCO sponsored activities for International Women's Day:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/gender-equality/features/international-womens-day-2012/

It also issued The World Atlas of Gender Equality in Education which details women's educational activities throughout the world.  While not specifically addressing indigenous or ethnic minorities it does give regional and country education statistics of interest.

This page links to major events held: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/womens-day/

500th Anniversary Conference on Universality in Human Rights

On December 2-4, 2011 the Universal Human Rights Conference, 500 Year Anniversary of Antonio de Montesinos, was held in Washington, D. C. The conference website  contains the  plan of the conference and will contain publications of the conference.

The conference included Sunday, December 4, 2011, the conventionally identified date in 1511 when Antonio de Montesinos delivered a sermon in Santo Domingo calling for reform of Spanish policy toward the indigenous. That sermon launched a Spanish debate about the human rights of the Indians, which in turn contributed to later advocacy of the principle that human rights apply to all people, regardless of nationality. The new Spanish film Tambien La Lluvia (Even the Rain) has as its core purpose considering the legacy of Montesinos.

UN World Human Rights Day and the Genocide Convention

December 10th was World Human Rights Day. The UN has a web page on the celebration.https://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/2011/index.shtml It marks the 63rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: https://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/


December 9th was the 60th anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: https://www.un.org/millennium/law/iv-1.htm. See also the discussion at the bottom of this page: https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40682&Cr=human+rights+day&Cr1=

Waitangi Tribunal releases WAI 262: Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: A Report into Claims Concerning New Zealand Law and Policy Affecting Māori Culture and Identity

After 20 years the Waitangi Tribunal has released a comprehensive report that covers Maori Culture and Identity within New Zealand law and the Waitangi Treaty. The press release is located here: http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/news/media/wai262.asp



The Report can be downloaded from this link:

Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: A Report into Claims Concerning New Zealand Law and Policy Affecting Māori Culture and Identity

United Nations Day

Today the United Nations celebrates the coming into force of the treaty establishing the United Nations in 1945. A number of programs are scheduled at UN Headquarters as detailed on this 2011 United Nations Day page.

2011 International Day of the World's Indigenous People

"Indigenous designs: celebrating stories and cultures, crafting their own future"

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (9 August) was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995 – 2004).

In 2004, the Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 2005 – 2015, with the theme of “A Decade for Action and Dignity.”

The focus of this year’s International Day will be Indigenous designs: celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our own future.

National Aboriginal Day/La Journée nationale des Autochtones in Canada, 21 June

National Aboriginal Day in Canada

"Canada’s National Aboriginal Day is annually held on June 21 to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of the nation’s Aboriginal peoples. There are three Aboriginal groups in Canada – the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples".

"Quick Facts
National Aboriginal Day celebrates Canada’s Indigenous culture and the achievements made by the country’s Aboriginal peoples.
Local names
Name Language
National Aboriginal Day English
La Journée nationale des Autochtones French

National Aboriginal Day 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011

National Aboriginal Day 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012"

Continued: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/national-aboriginal-day

GALDU: Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

A Sami organization sponsored by the Norwegian government:


Their ABOUT US statement:

Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was established by an order of the Norwegian government. The centre is located in Guovdageaidnu-Kautokeino, in Finnmark county.

The resource centre shall increase information about the rights of Saami and other indigenous peoples.The Centre is independent, governed by an own board.

The Centre is funded by Norwegian Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusions and by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

160 Million Outcasts in India

An interesting article form the Weekly Blitz giving an overview of the Caste System in India commenting on possible British influence on the system and recent DNA studies.

WIPO Members To Work Toward Treaty On Folklore, Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources

From Intellectual Property Watch

6 May 2011

WIPO Members To Work Toward Treaty On Folklore, Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources

By Catherine Saez

Building on recent momentum that has produced negotiating texts towards an international instrument to protect folklore, traditional knowledge and genetic resources, delegates to the World Intellectual Property Organization next week will try to clean the texts that still bear signs of division.

The 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) is taking place from 9-13 May.

On Monday, WIPO is organising a panel on “Indigenous Peoples’ Collective Rights and Intellectual Property” [pdf] which will host James Anaya, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as keynote speaker. The event will also feature Estebancio Castro Diaz, executive secretary, International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests, Panamá; Repeta Puna, policy advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Cook Islands; and Eliamani Isaya Laltaika, coordinator, Tanzania Intellectual Property Rights Network.

Continued at Intellectual Property Watch