Statement by Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF, on the International Day of the World's Indigenous People
NEW YORK (August 9, 2010) — Today UNICEF joins in celebrating the vibrant diversity, rich culture and remarkable contributions of the world's indigenous peoples. This year’s celebration comes at a significant time, as world leaders prepare to gather next month in New York for the Summit on the Millennium Development Goals. These goals reflect a global recognition of the basic needs and human rights of all people, and the special duty we share to help those in greatest need, especially the children.
As the recent UN Department of Economic and Social Affair's State of the World's Indigenous Peoples report makes all too clear, despite our progress, indigenous peoples remain at increased risk of being left behind in the global push to achieve the MDGs. The report shows that indigenous peoples face glaring disparities across virtually every indicator of human development. These disparities are especially troubling when it comes to children.
In Latin America, for example, child mortality is significantly higher among indigenous children than non-indigenous children. The life expectancy of a native Aboriginal child born in Australia today is 20 years shorter than a non-indigenous child. In Guatemala, more than 53% of indigenous young people between the ages of 15 and 19 have not completed primary education, compared to around 32% of non-indigenous youth. Around the world, indigenous children are less likely than other children to be in school and more likely to drop out of school. Indigenous girls are at even greater risk of being excluded from school. And indigenous children often face a lifetime of discrimination and exclusion, deepening their disadvantages and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
The best way to celebrate the International Day of the World's Indigenous People is to intensify our efforts to ensure that all children have an equal chance to fulfill their potential, and to encourage all societies to embrace the diversity which so greatly enriches the human family of which we are all part. That is the only way to make sustainable progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals, and to build a better future for all of the world's people.
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.
UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress: the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For further information please contact
Lauren Monahan, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.880.9136, lmonahan@unicefusa.org
