The role of young people as agents of change is the focus of Wednesday’s celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples organized by the United Nations.
The date seeks to recognize the leading role of the new generations in the most pressing crises facing the world, particularly within these culturally unique societies and communities.
To this end, several representatives are expected to share their knowledge and experiences on climate action, mobilization for justice and intergenerational connections.
With the theme Indigenous youth as agents of change for self-determination, the day vindicates the role of this group in decision-making.
At the same time, it recognizes their efforts in the search for justice for their people and the creation of an intergenerational connection that keeps their culture, traditions and contributions alive.
According to UN estimates, there are 476 million indigenous people in the world living in 90 countries.
They constitute less than five percent of the world’s population, but represent 15 percent of the world’s poorest people.
Indigenous peoples dominate an overwhelming majority of the world’s approximately seven thousand languages and represent five thousand different cultures.
