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進入《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 Delegation to take part in Aboriginal conference at UN
By Lii Wen / Staff reporter, with CNA
Representatives of the nation’s Aboriginal peoples are to participate in a UN conference in New York scheduled to take place from today through May 1.
Now in its 14th year, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was launched to explore the problems faced by the world’s Aboriginal communities, and is an advisory body to the UN’s Economic and Social Council.
This year’s event is scheduled to focus on hunger and disease, and to address such issues as education, poverty and sanitation.
The Taiwanese delegation is headed by National Pingtung University professor Unga Kalay, of the Amis people, and Aboriginal youth representative Tuhi Martukaw, of the Puyuma people.
Unga is a vocal advocate of increasing the participation of women and indigenous peoples in public affairs, with extensive experience as a representative for Taiwan’s Aborigines at international forums.
Tuhi is the chair of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus and a host on Taiwan Indigenous People’s Television. She has participated in UN forums on Aboriginal rights since 2006.
The forum also intends to address the difficulties Aborigines face protecting their cultural rights, with an emphasis on the recognition and protection of land rights.
Although Taiwan is not a member of the UN, Aboriginal representatives have participated at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues since it was established in 2002.
As a result of the “one China” policy, participants have described difficulties while attending the forum, as the UN currently prohibits related sub-organizations or caucuses from mentioning “Taiwan” or “Formosa” in official documents.
With a total population of about 540,000, Taiwan’s 16 officially recognized Aboriginal peoples make up slightly more than 2 percent of the nation’s population.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
