MIP/IPEN Network Holds Indigenous Peoples Forum

The Myanmar Indigenous Peoples/Ethnic Nationality Network(MIP/IPEN Network) organized the 5th World’s Indigenous Peoples Forum last 7th to 8th August 2018 and was followed by an event to celebrate the 4th World’s Indigenous Peoples Day in Myanmar on 9th August 2018 at the Franc Hall, Karen Compound, Alone township, Yangon.

More than 250 Indigenous representatives from Kachin, Kayah, Kayaw, Karen, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan, Kuki, Naga, Lahu, Lisu, Zomi, Asho, Danu, Ta’ang, and TaungYo attended the activities.

Naw Janet Gyi, MIP/IPEN Network Coordinator said, “The forum was designed differently this time compared to the past events. This year, we requested different indigenous professors to come and share their experiences specifically working with M IP/IPEN. So that the existing members and new members of the network  can learn what happened in other areas, facilitate discussion of significant issues, and find various ways to solve the challenges currently faced by Indigenous Peoples in Myanmar.”

In the two days forum, the resource persons shared the concept of Free Prior Informed Consent(FPIC), the role of Indigenous Peoplesinusing and taking care of natural resources, indigenous livelihood and its economic development opportunities, sustaining forests and the challenge for indigenous traditionally land use, securing life and capacity building for indigenous women, and indigenous culture and literacy.

During the forum, the Rural Indigenous Sustainable Education (RISE) Network shared the advantages of Multilingual Education.

Ei Ei Phyu, RISE Program Manager said, “I am so honored to participate in the 4th World Indigenous Peoples Day and 5th Indigenous Peoples Forum. There is little or no awareness around Indigenous Day in Myanmar. By holding this forum and celebration, it gives an opportunity for the interactions among the Indigenous Groups in Myanmar. This events is symbolic of Myanmar’s context with diverse and rich languages, cultures, and traditions and it should be continued to be celebrated annually.”

In 1994, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples shall be observed on 9 August every year. Also, the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007.

The very first celebration of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Day in Myanmar was in 2014 organized by the Myanmar Indigenous Peoples/Ethnic Nationalities Network (MIPEEN). The event brought together indigenous peoples inhabiting across Myanmar to raise their voices and concerns.

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