THE Indigenous Peoples’ Commission (IPC), with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), yesterday launched a five-year strategic plan aimed at building competence and promoting their rights.
The IPC said, within the next five years, it will have recommended, promoted and actively contributed to the implementation of relevant policies on rights, empowerment, consultative processes, training and technical assistance, protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of a more informed and conscious peoples.
It stated, further, that, with stronger partnerships, more stable resources and improved services, it will be a fully recognised and respected commission representing indigenous peoples’ rights.
In his presentation at the forum, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IPC, Mr. Autry Haynes said some of the areas with which the strategy will deal are education awareness and labour, advocacy and governance, monitoring, assessment and research, capacity building and improving administrative capability.
He said the IPC plans to educate employers and the public, make recommendations to improve employment practices related to indigenous peoples, as well as raise awareness of the contributions and problems faced by them, among other things.
UNICEF Representative, Dr. Suleiman Braimoh commended the IPC Commissioners for carving out the document, acknowledging that it is a very good starting point.
He said he hopes it serves as a model for other rights advocates, as they fulfill their respective mandates.
The diplomat said is a good thing that IPC is not trying to replace the government but rather to make sure the latter is doing what it should do.
He assured that UNICEF stands ready to support the IPC’s mandate.
Chairperson of the IPC, Ms. Doreen Jacobis thanked UNICEF and all the other commissioners for their role in the formation and pointed out that only when a plan is made can they know what they want, how they are going to do it and by what means.
She acknowledged that each commissioner contributed experience from different backgrounds.
Apart from dignitaries, also present were other Commissioners including Mr. David James, Ms. Patricia Singh, Mr. James Singh and Captain Gerry Gouveia.