On International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the Australian Government is committing $150,000 to the Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation to provide more avenues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives to reach the international stage.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation brings together more than 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations, community organisations and individual members to promote and advocate for First Nations’ rights and participation at the United Nations.
This funding will allow the grassroots organisation to engage more First Nations’ peoples to inform statements at international forums including the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Human Rights Council.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation boasts an all-Indigenous Executive Board with existing experience working across many areas of the UN including justice, climate change, racial discrimination, reconciliation, violence against women and girls and more.
Having the Indigenous Peoples Organisation represent First Nations’ views and experiences at the UN provides a chance to magnify issues with an international lens.
This investment is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to self-determination, assisting this grassroots organisation to represent broad Indigenous views internationally and strengthen Australian statements to the UN.
Quotes attributable to Minister Burney:
“Supporting First Nations people to engage internationally is vital for our people to be heard and recognised.”
“This funding will help share Australia’s experience, by amplifying the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and increase the potential to influence UN committee decision-making.”
“The Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation will encourage the UN to further explore or invest in a study on particular Indigenous issues, and will advocate for Indigenous rights and enhance self-determination.”
“They are well-placed to support improved outcomes on Indigenous global issues, with connections to multiple communities and a membership drawn from different states and territories including urban and remote areas.”