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The UNPFII sixteenth session which discussed the “Tenth Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: measures taken to implement the Declaration” presented a side event which discussed the significance of promoting the development of indigenous youth in order to attain the 2030 agenda. There was discussion regarding the lack of data regarding indigenous youth and the startling nature of the available data. Additionally, the huge disparities in terms of accessing education for indigenous youth was discussed

Mai Thin Yu Mon conveyed the difficulty of cultivating indigenous youth data, especially for health. She conveyed the struggle of indigenous people to communicate with foreign individuals who provide health services. This was cited as an issue affecting primarily young people and elders. Furthermore, Mon expressed the issue that indigenous youths are brainwashed to feel that their culture is lower.

Sarah Lynn Jancke described that indigenous youth are suffering in silence and battling societal oppression. She called for the connection of indigenous youth and people of all cultures. Jancke depicted the intergenerational trauma that arose from indigenous teenagers having children.

Various statistical evidence regarding the lack of educational access for indigenous youth was conveyed. On average, in the Latin America and Caribbean region, eighty-five percent of indigenous youth attend secondary school. However, only forty percent of indigenous youth graduate.

The literacy and numeracy rates of indigenous and non-indigenous youth alter significantly. For example, in Australia, a two and a half school year gap is evident between indigenous and non-indigenous children. However, there is no data citing a global indigenous youth literacy rate.

In addition, the high school finishing rate of indigenous youth are below average in Nunavut, the northernmost territory of Canada. Merely forty percent of indigenous youth are attending school full time.

Meeting: UNPFII Sixteenth Session Side event on “Promoting Indigenous Youth Development to achieve the 2030 Agenda”

Date/ Location: Thursday, April 27, 2017; 11:30-1:00; Conference Room F

Speakers: Mai Thin Yu Mon, Indigenous Youth Caucus Asia; Q’apaj Cond, Indigenous Youth Caucus Latin America; Sarah Lynn Jancke, Indigenous Youth Caucus Arctic; Nicola Shepherd, UN Focal Point on Youth, DSPD; Tarcila Rivera, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Expert Member; Yon Fernandez-De-Larrinoa, Indigenous Peoples Team Leader, FAO Rome; Carlos Andrade, Undersecretary of Peoples and Interculturality Government of Ecuador (TBC)

Written By: WIT Representative Donna Sunny