2002 Founders' Celebration Events
Indigenous Peoples: Challenges of the 21st Century
April 11, 2002
Indigenous peoples around the world are bringing attention in a variety of fora to the economic, political, and social issues they have faced for centuries. They are increasingly seeking to resolve and publicize their situations through legal mechanisms and before international bodies.
Conflict between the scope of property and natural resource rights as perceived by indigenous peoples and the dominant society is a primary factor in provoking this development. It is also a catalyst for the evolution of international human rights standards. One such example is the recent decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the Awas Tingni case. This conference analyzed the impact of the case and other recent developments in international law on the issues facing indigenous peoples as well as the relationship of relevant domestic law to international norms.
By bringing together professionals from various disciplines--either members of indigenous communities or organizations and institutions working with them to secure their rights by creating the legal and institutional infrastructure that effectively respects those rights--the conference aimed to develop an awareness of the benefits of a pluralistic society. Similarly, the conference aimed to provide an insight on how innovative collaborations are effectively furthering the interests of indigenous peoples and those of society as a whole.
Program
8:30-9:00 am
Registration
9:00-9:15 am
Welcome
Claudio Grossman, Dean
American University Washington College of Law
9:15-10:45am
Developments in the Doctrine and Jurisprudence of the Inter-American and Universal Systems of Human Rights
Siegfried Wiessner, St. Thomas University School of Law
- James Anaya, University of Arizona, James E. Rogers School of Law
- Maivân Clech Lâm, American University Washington College of Law
- Ian Chambers*, International Labour Organization
- A.A. Cançado Trinidade*, Inter-American Court on Human Rights
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
The Future American Declaration On the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Osvaldo Kreimer, Special Advisor to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
- Eduardo Ferrero Costa, Chair of the Working Group to Prepare the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, OAS, Peru
- Keith Harper, Native American Rights Fund
- Fortunato Turpo, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples, Peru
- Armstrong Wiggins, Indian Law Resource Center
- Aresio Valiente*, Kuna Lawyer, Panama
12:45-2:15 pm
Lunch
Keynote Speaker
Rodolfo Stavenhagen, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights
2:30-4:00 pm
Indigenous Women's Rights
Claudio Grossman, American University Washington College of Law
- Cristel Bode, Director, Instituto Estudios Inter-Etnicos, Universidad de San Carlos, Guatemala
- Lottie Cunningham, Miskita Lawyer, International Human Rights Law Group, Nicaragua
- Margarita Gutierrez, ANIPA, Mexico
- Dalee Sambo, Inuit Circunpolar Conference, Alaska
4:15-5:45 pm
New Perspectives and Challenges for Indigenous Peoples' Rights
Ted Macdonald, Harvard University
- Anne Deruytere, Inter-American Development Bank
- Peter Jaszi, American University Washington College of Law
- Charlie Mclean, Mayagna from Awas Tingni, Nicaragua
- Marta Molares, World Bank
5:45-6:00 pm
Conclusion
6:00-7:30 pm
Reception
* Invited Panelist
