The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) advises the UN Economic and Social Council on a broad range of Indigenous issues, including economic, educational, and health matters. This year, at the 23rd UNPFII, intergovernmental organizations, Indigenous peoples’ organizations, and academics gathered April 15-26, 2024, to discuss how to enhance Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Toward this goal, 2017-2018 Humphrey Fellow Zaira Zambelli Taveira organized a side event during the summit, titled “Indigenous Knowledge: Advancing the 2030 Agenda.” The event highlighted Indigenous languages as a vehicle for the intergenerational transmission of Indigenous knowledge and examined opportunities to promote, preserve, and revitalize these languages.
Dr. Zambelli Taveira’s event celebrated Indigenous achievements in language revitalization and brought together diverse stakeholders to reflect upon how Indigenous knowledge is transmitted in their community and at their institutions. She has over 13 years of experience working with Indigenous peoples in Brazil and internationally, developing programs and initiatives to promote their rights, with a focus on culturally competent health care.