Activity Report (April 2004 to March 2005)

 May 10-21, 2004

The following representatives of ICITP-NEZ participated the 3 rd Session of UNPF held in New York and made statements on agenda item no 4(a) Socio Economic Development, 4(b) Environment and 6 Future work of the Forum.

 June 2-4, 2004

The ICITP-NEZ is co-organising 3 – day North Eastern regional Assembly of Indigenous Peoples’ in Akhajan, Dhemaji along with Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE), Rural Volunteers Centre, Indigenous Women’s Resource Centre, Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS), Meghalaya People’s Human Rights Council, Indigenous Tribal People’s Development Centre, Mizoram Human Rights and Law Network and the United Zo Indigenous People’s organisation to evolve national consensus on DNPT ( Draft National Policy on Tribals, partly sponsored by IWGIA, Denmark. The Assembly unanimously resolved the following position papers to be submitted to the Government of India:

June 20 and 21 st

 The Regional Assembly of ICITP-NEZ was held in St. John’s Mission, Bijni and the Assembly had unanimous consensus on the following issues:

GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ICITP-NEZ ,2004

The General Assembly of Northeast Zone, ICITP was held on 20 th and 21 st of June 2004 at St. John’s Mission, Bijni in Assam. Meeting started at 11 am. Some members were late due to several difficulties. ICITP-NEZ president Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and ICITP- NEZ Secretary. Mrs. Tingcha were present along with several MOs. NEZ Treasurer Lhingboi Misao (Treasurer) of ICITP- NEZ was absent due to some problems. Introductory speech by the President Sri. J. R Muchahary about ICIPT (Birth, affiliation, Mission and objectives) was followed by introduction of members present in the meeting. Meeting Formerly started at 11.30 a.m. Sri Jebra Ram Muchahary Spoke about Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the whole world. Secretary Spoke about problems of ICITP. She briefed that ICITP is not a funding agency rather it is movement of the ADIVASI for solidarity and appealed to the members that embers should not expect fund from ICITP rather advice and direction towards building and strengthening the solidarity of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of India. Ms Tingcha also informed about the Kolkata National Assembly of ICITP and appealed the members to attend the Kolkata Meeting on their own expenses.

Vice Principal of St. Johns Bijni raised two points

Ms.Tingcha clarified on these matters. She told that efforts should be made to raise fund for the development of the IPs in the region. She also said that Non IPs could assist the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in their affairs but not interfere. She suggested that ICITP-NEZ should ask National Body to assist the zonal body to obtain fund from various national and international donors for girls hostel and women welfare.

After prolong discussions and consultations, the general assembly adopted the following

Resolutions:

It is decided to form a strong NE Body to work strongly having own fund (By Collection)

ICITP-NEZ would seek for a piece of land for constructing its office in Guwahati and ICITP-NEZ

would seek intervention through Speaker of Assam Assembly Pritvi Majhi who has promised to allot 1 Bigha of land in Guwahati.

N.E Zone will have separate Registration as independent identity having Zonal office in Guwahati.

Mr. Babul Boro will help finding the Office location.

Today’s meeting resolved to depute the following members for participation in the National Assembly/ Seminar to be held in Kolkata from 26 th – 27 th of June 2004.

Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, ICITP-NEZ

Mrs. TINGSHA Singsit, ICITP-NEZ

Mr. George Swansi, St. Xavier’s Educational Foundation, Howly.

Mr. Derha Shrwn Hazowary, ICITP-NEZ

Mr. Sunil Kujur, Sun Rise Educational Foundation, Pathshala

Mrs. Manju Goyary (SEBA), Bijni

Mr. Breej Kr. Basumatary (Rege-Regang), Kokrajhar

Miss Uraina Muchahary (Rege-Regang), Kokrajhar

Miss Bharati Basumatary Rural Development Women’s Society, Kokrajhar

Mr. Umesh Brahma, Bijni

FORMATION OF THE WORKING GROUP

Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary proposed the name of Mrs. Rose Mangshi of Manipur as President of the working Group and Ms. Tingcha supported the proposal, which was endorsed by all. It was decided to have 7 members in the working group members including from all the 7 states in the region as follows.

Mrs. Rose Mangshi , (Manipur)

Mr. Derhashwn Hazowary, ( Assam BTC)

Mrs. Jarjun Ete, (Arunachal Pradesh)

Mr. Bijay Hrangkhal, (Tripura)

Mr. S.T. Parte, (Mizoram)

Mr. L. Meru, (Nagaland)

Ms. Linda Chhakchhuak (Meghalaya)

RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

6. It was resolved to identity more members Organizations in North East and Invite the Non Indigenous People to help in the Office management works.

7. It was resolved the MOs should submit the Annual Report to the ICITP-NEZ Office.

Meeting was concluded with the words of thanks and best wishes from the President Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary.

 ICITP-NEZ WORKSHOP 9GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Dated 20 – 21, June-2004

Sl. No. Name of Participants Organization State/District/ Position City/Village

1. Sri Babul Kr. Boro Lambrey Film Society Guwahati President.

2. Nangpi Singsit Highland Welfare Association Manipur Member

3. Lali Puria ST. John’s Mission Bijni Member

4. Miss Lakhi Basumatary ST. John’s Mission Bijni Member

5. Miss Uraina Muchahary Rege-Regang Kokrajhar Member

6. Santa Upadhaya ST. John’s Mission Bijni Member

7. Ms. Jatica Islary ST. John’s Mission Bijni Member

8. Ms. Lipika Roy -do- Bijni Member

9. Miss Bulu Daimary -do- Bijni Member

10. Ms. Sunita Das -do- Bijni Member

11. Ms. Nirmala Narzary -do- Bijni Member

12 Ms. Jurima Narzary SEBWA Bijni Member

13 Mrs. Manju Brahma - do- Bijni Member

14 Anima Brahma -do- Bijni Member

15 Bina Rani Brahma -do- Bijni Member

16 Manjiv Goyary -do- Bijni Member

17 Suchila Basumatary -do- Bijni Member

18 Bimala Basumatary -do- Bijni Member

19 Nijira Boro -do- Bijni Secretary

20 Nasini Basumatary -do- Bijni Member

21 Kalpana Sheresta -do- Bijni Member

22 Ratamali Muchahary -do- Bijni Member

23 Manjula Basumatary’ -do- Bijni President

24 Jayanta Sarkar St. John’s High School, Bijni Member

25 Soumitra Saha -do- Bijni Member

26 David Swansi -do- Bijni Member

27. Chandan Owary -do- Bijni Member

28. Bidhan Basumatary -do- Bijni Member

29. Bimal Chandan Boro -do- Bijni Member

30. Sakholan Singsit Highland Welfare Society Manipur Member

31. Sikaru Basumatary Sunrise Educational Foundation, Simla. Member

32. Sunil Kujur (Secretary) -do- Simla Member

34. Derha Shrwn Hazowary ICITP- NEZ Kokrajhar Member

35. George Swansi St. Xavier’s Educational Foundation, Howly President

36. John Swansi St. John’s Mission Bijni Member

37. Jebra Ram Muchahary ICITP- NEZ Bijni President

38. Tingcha Singsit Secretary ICITP- NEZ Manipur Secretary

39. Nister Basumatary Vice President J.D.P.T.C Kokrajhar Member 40. Lachit Basumatary Asstt G.S.J.D.P.T.E Kokrajhar Member

41. Nikunjay Muchahary Treasure J.D.P.T.C Kokrajhar Member

42. Sohen Narzary General Secretary (J.D.P.T.C) Kokrajhar Secretary

43. Umesh Brahma ICITP-NEZ Bijni Member

June 26-27, 2004

10 Members from ICITP-NEZ attended the 5 th National Assembly of ICITP held in Kolkata. Mr. J. R. Muchahary, the President of the zone was elected as the Chief President of National Body ICITP on 26 th of June 2004 held in Kolkata.

July 18-24, 2004

 Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. Babul Boro, the President and the Treasurer of ICITP-NEZ attended the 22 nd session of United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva.

August 11, 2004

Mr. Jiten Borgoyary, the DC of Chirang and Mr. Jogesh Deuri and Mrs. Rahila Brahma, PD Kokrajhar joined ICITP-NEZ as life member.

August 21- 22, 2004

 Three members Mr. J. R. Muchahary, Miss Uraina Mushahary and Miss Pompi Basumatary from ICITP-NEZ participated in the zonal meeting of ICITP-West Zone held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

September 4-11, 2004

 Mr. J. R. Muchahary, the Chief President of ICITP attended the Adhoc High Level Expert Group Panel meeting of United Nations Forest Forum held in Un Head Quarter, New York. He was invited to be one of the panellists representing Indigenous Peoples as major group in the panel discussion. The following statement was intervened by Mr. Muchahary in the said meeting.

Indigenous Peoples’ Statement on United Nations Forum on Forests Ad Hoc Expert Group on Consideration with a view

To Recommendation the Parameters of a Mandate for Developing a Legal Framework on All Types of Forests

New York , 7-10 September 2004

 Mr. Co-chair

We would like to express our satisfaction to the United Nations that has taken the decision to include Indigenous Peoples as a key major group in the global forest policy debate and in the national implementation of sustainable forest development since the Rio Summit in 1992.

 Since then, a number of principles and standard including the proposals for action (PfA) in IPF/IFF, in recognition and promotion of the role of indigenous peoples in sustainable forest management, were agreed upon by the member states. However, their effective realization on the ground has yet to be brought to fruition. In addition to this, a rights-based approach to forest management has also neither being taken into account in the global forest policy making nor implemented at the national level.

 Therefore, we urge the member states to fulfill its existing commitments, in particular the implementation of the proposals for action, which were agreed under the work of the Inter Governmental panel on Forest (IPF), the Inter Governmental Forum on Forest (IFF) and the United Nations Forum on Forest (UNFF), in order to trust future promises we first have to fulfill present ones.

 We also experiencing that some governments’ attitude towards the Indigenous peoples is rather negative than positive, which led to conflict between the IPs and the states and became an obstacle in many national implementations of sustainable forest management processes. Collaborative and genuine partnership with IPs to enhance mutual understanding and trust should be taken into consideration in future effective and meaningful forest policy setting.

 We strongly view that a legally binding instrument on forest would not help in stopping deforestation and forests degradation rather it would further legitimise commercialisation of forests to aggravate the situation of the forests and Indigenous Peoples.

 We are also concerned that a legally binding agreement on forests would likely reaffirm the colonial model of forestry, which ignores the right of Indigenous Peoples and further exclusion of indigenous and other forest dependent peoples.

 In conclusion, we see that the attempt in development of legally binding instrument on forests is still premature and the flexible international non – legally binding regime would be the appropriate instrument that we need to continue strengthening the future policy setting. Also, their priorities should be focused and able to cope with new and emerging issues

 Mr. Co- Chair. We trust that our views would be reflected in your final report.

 October 21- November 4, 2004

Mr. Umesh Brahma and Mr Sunil Kujur, two active members of ICITP-NEZ participated the two week training programme on” Self Rule” in Bangalore organised by National Committee, ICITP in collaboration with South and West Zone.

November 6- 12, 2005

 Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, the President of ICITP-NEZ attended the GOLDIN INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AND PEACE  “Spirituality and Sustainability: Water, the Common Element” held at Museum of World Religions in Taipei , Taiwan

December 1, 2004

 ICITP-NEZ in collaboration with Self Employed Bodo Women’s Association, Bijni organised a one day seminar on “ Peace and Development” in Town Hall, Bijni The Seminar was graced by many invited resource persons viz: Dr. R. K. Roy, Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Miss Shoko Oshiro, Jenifer Liang, Robin Muchahary, Mr. Sankar Chettarjee, Miss Rita Boro, Malati Rani Narzary and Rahila Brahma. The SDO (C), Bijni graced the function as Chief Guest. The seminar was attended by more than 1100 participants.

December 3, 2004

 Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. Umesh Brahma visited Shillong to meet Dr. Kamal Taori, Secretary, NEC and Mr. Uday Nath Majhi, the financial advisor, NEC to apprise of the proposed Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” and to seek financial assistance to support the cost of the programme.

December 21, 2004

ICITP-NEZ inaugurated its Zonal Office in Guwahati. Mr. Prithibi Majhi, the Speaker of Assam Assembly inaugurated the same. A General Meeting was convened with a view of forming an Organising Committee of proposed programme on Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” was also held in the office from 2:00 pm onwards. The meeting was attended by more than 50 Indigenous and Tribal Peoples leaders including Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Chief Advisor of ICITP, Mr. Kampa Borgoyary, Hon’ble EM of BTC and many influential tribal leaders from the locality.

After thorough discussion, the house adopted the following resolutions:

Resolution No 1 : An Organising Committee to host the 1 st UNPF Indigenous Education Caucus (IEC)’s consultation on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” was formed with the following members:

Chairperson : Prithibi Majhi, Hon’ble Speaker of Assam

Assemly, Dispur, Guwahati, Assam

General Secretary : Jebra Ram Muchahary, Chief President, ICITP,

Bijni , Assam

: Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Chief Advisor, ICITP, Ranchi , Jharkhand.

Kampa Borgoyary, Hon’ble EM, BTC, Kokrajhar , Assam

Uday Nath Majhi, Financial Advisor, NEC, Shillong, Meghalaya.

Badan Hasda, Hon’ble EM, BTC, Kokrajhar

Malati Rani Narzary, President, Roje Eshanshali

Salakati, Kokrajhar, BTC, Assam

: Mrs. Tarulata Kakati Majhi, Regional College of Nursing, Guwahati, Assam

Dr. Cecil Khaka, ICITP-Delhi Zone, New Delhi

Mr. Joy Raj Todu, Coordinator, ICITP-New Delhi

Mr. L. Meru, Advisor, ICITP-NEZ, Dimapur, Nagaland.

Babul Boro, ICITP-NEZ, Guwahati, Assam

Resolution No 2

The house resolved to run the consultations’ affairs from the camp office attached to Zonal Office ICITP-NEZ, Banphool Nagar, Namgharpath, Last Gate, Dispur, Guwahati, Assam with effect from 21 st of December till the end of the consultations.

Resolution No 3

The house resolved to organise two consultations: one on “Education” and another on “Empowerment for Self Rule” in Guwahati and the Chairperson, Secretary and Dr. Ram Dayal Munda of the Organising Committee are entrusted to do the necessary arrangement to contact the concerned agencies and officials for the entire processes for the consultations including fund rising and to chalk out the detail programmes.

Resolution No 4

The house resolved to open a joint Bank Account in the name of the Organising Committee, Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” operable by two out of three Executive Members of the committee.

December 23- 28, 2004

Mr. J. R. Muchahary and Dr. Ram Dayal Munda along with the Chairperson of Organising Committee, camped in New Delhi to meet some Dignitaries of India to get consent to be guests of honour during the “Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” to be held from February 26- march 6, 2005 in Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati including the President of India, Union Tribal Welfare Minister and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. The team visited Mr. P.R Kyndiah, the Hon’ble Minister for Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, His Excellency, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, the President of India, Shri Subhadh Kant Sahai, Hon’ble Minister of Food processing Industries, Govt. of India to invite them to grace the consultations in Guwahati.

January 3, 2005

2nd meeting of Organising Committee of Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” was held in the Zonal office of ICITP-NEZ, Guwahati to finalise the programme of the proposed Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for self Rule.” The budget of the consultations was also finalised in the said meeting. The meeting was attended by more than 70 Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of Assam. The meeting unanimously resolved to expand the size of the Organising Committee by inducting more members for different Sub Committee for various department of work for the smooth management of the consultations.

January 4, 2005

Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Mr. Umesh Brahma visited His Excellency Mr. Shyamal Dutta, the Governor of Nagaland to apprise of the proposed consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” and to request him to give consent to be one of the patrons.

January17-20, 2005

Dr. Ram Dayal Munda and Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary camped in New Delhi to visit the number of parliamentarians and confirm the acceptance of invitation to be guests of honour during the consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” to be held in Guwahati from 26 th of February to 6 th of march 2005.

January 25, 2005

Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary, Mr. Kampa Borgoyary, Mr. Umesh Brahma, Miss Pompi Basumatary and Mr. Joy Raj Tudu from the Organising Committee of Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” visited the North Eastern Council (NEC) to seek financial assistance for the proposed consultations. The team had an official meeting with Dr. Kamal Taori, the Secretary of the NEC and the concerned officials of the council on the matter and the NEC assured to assist the Organising Committee with financial support for the consultations.

February 6-8, 2005

Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Mr. Jebra Ram Muchahary and Miss Pompi Basumatary visited Manipur on IP Solidarity mission on behalf of the Organising Committee, Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule”. They hold meeting with the members of Threatened Indigenous Peoples Society (TIPS), Manipur, Prof. Gangumei Kapui and the Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Dr. N Bijoy Singh. They also renewed and strengthened the working relationship of ICITP with few Naga Social leaders of Manipur.

February 17, 2005

Third Meeting of Organising Committee, Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” was held in the Zonal Office of ICITP-NEZ, Guwahati to give a final shape of the consultations. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Prithibi Majhi, the Chairperson of the organising Committee. The meeting was attended by 70 Tribal leaders of the locality.

February 24, 2005

 The ICITP-NEZ organised a PRESS CONFERENCE in Press Club of Guwahati on the proposed Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” which was well attended by all the leading media groups in the region. The press released was made after the conference for media coverage as follows:

PRESS RELEASE

24-02-2004

It is a matter of great honour for India, particularly for the North East, to be invited by the United Nation’s Indigenous Education Caucus to host two consultations on “Education” and “ Empowerment for Self Rule” to be held in Guwahati, Assam from 26 th February to March 6 th 2005.

The purpose of the consultations towards the 4th session (May, 2005) of the United Nations’ Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is to create a transparent and inclusive mechanism for Indigenous and Tribal Peoples to make them aware of the mandates of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, to provide them with the opportunity to contribute their views on all six thematic areas (Human Rights, Education, Socio-economic Development, Health, Culture and Environment) and to produce a collective regional outcome to be presented to the 4 th session of the United Nations’ Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in May 2005. This data will contribute to Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ status within the Millennium Development Goal (MDG).

The purpose of the consultation on Education (“Culturally Appropriate Education for Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Asia”) is to present specific Indigenous and Tribal education models, initiatives and issues for Indigenous and Tribal educators to prepare for the proposed organization work for the 4 th session of the Permanent Forum. The Indigenous Education Caucus (IEC) will promote the idea that the voice of the Indigenous and Tribal educators at the community level is important and will be heard by the Permanent Forum and the United Nations system.

The purpose of the second consultation (“Empowerment for Self Rule for the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples is in Asia”) is to assist Indigenous and Tribal People in Asia reflect on their right to ownership of the existing natural resources and their economic situation in trying to deal with the above mentioned six issues mandated by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Both the events will be held in Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati where about 80 national and international delegates from all Asian countries will participate. The closing session, which will be held in Gossaigaon, BTC on 6 th of March, will be opened to general public and will be attended by 30-40 thousand local Indigenous and Tribal peoples including large contingents of cultural groups.

The most unique feature of these consecutives events will be the Inaugural address by Shri Tarun Gogoi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam and Valedictory address by Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon’ble Minister, Food Processing Industries, Government of India, who will also inaugurate the Dhaligaon Pork Processing Firm in BTC. Morever an exhibition on Tribal Art and Culture, specially set up for the occasion along with showing of Indigenous and Tribal Films will be inaugurated jointly by Dr. Hemo Probha Saikia, Hon’ble Minister of Handloom, Textile and Sericulture and Cultural Affairs and Shri Reo Reoa Narzihari, Hon’ble Executive Member, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Govt. of BTC.

The implications of these consultations are very positive for the member countries with Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The regional suggestions and recommendations will be pooled together in the joint recommendation of the Permanent Forum and the concerned countries will be called upon to act upon them. As normally as the case, the concerned countries complain about lack of funds to meet the said requirements in the otherwise neglected areas of their countries. That is when the UN agencies like the UNESCO, IFAD, FAO, UNICEF, WHO, ILO, WORLD BANK and others are called upon to come forth with offers of assistance.

We all know our government is already a recipient to such assistance. In recent years there has been a relaxation, thanks to the process of globalisation, the areas concerned can directly apply to the UN agencies for receiving such assistance. We believe that the authorities like the BTC and other such autonomous arrangements could be made use of to apply for such assistance where by direct benefits could be delivered to the concerned areas pertaining to the specific mandated thematic areas for development of the Indigenous and Tribal areas of our country.

In fact we are already in the process of procuring from COBASE, Italy a small grant of Rupees 105 Crores to boost technical education in the BTC area. This is only an example. Efforts could be made to accelerate the process of development in other areas like health, agriculture, forestry and so on.

(Jebra Ram Muchahary) (Prithibi Majhi) (Ram Dayal Munda)

Secretary Chairperson Member

Organising Committee, Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule”

February 26 th to March 6 th 2005, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kolakshetra, Panjabari, Guwahati, Assam

February 26- March 6, 2005

1st Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” was held in Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati, Assam as per as prescheduled programmes as follows:

ASIAN INDIGENOUS AND TRIBAL PEOPLES’ CONSULTATION ON “EDUCATION” AND “EMPOWERMENT FOR SELF RULE” IN PREPARATION FOR THE 4 TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES

Date: February 26 th to 6 th March 2005

Venue: Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra (SSKS) Panjabari, Guwahati, Assam

Republic of India

PROGRAMME

Theme: Culturally Appropriate Education for Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Asia:

February 26 th Arrival of Delegates in LGBI Airport/ Railway Station (Guwahati)

Travel to SSKS

Registration

Orientation of the venue

Evening

06:00 pm Traditional Welcome Ceremony:

10:00 pm - End of Day 1

February 27 th Inaugural Session: Chairperson- Mr. Prithibi Majhi, Hon’ble Speaker of

Assam Legislative Assembly

10:00am Dignitaries taking their seats

Lighting of lamp:

Welcome Music/Dance: Local Indigenous and Tribal communities

Greetings and Welcome address

Introductory Remarks- Issues:

His Excellency, Governor of Assam.

Release of Souvenir and Address by Chief Guest

Lt. Gen (Retd) Ajay Singh PVSM, AVSM ,

His Excellency, Governor of Assam.

Summing up

Vote of Thanks

 12:00 noon Lunch Break

01:30 pm Plenary Session (1): Chairperson- Parshuram Tamanag, Asia Representative, UN Permanent

Forum on Indigenous issues

Global Significance of the Indigenous Movement: Dr. B.K. Roy-Burman, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies

Overview of Indigenous Education Caucus

Eric Listening Owl, Co-Convener, Indigenous Education Caucus Forum

Objectives of Asia Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Education Caucus Forum

Jebra Ram Muchahary , Chief President, ICITP,

Co-convener, Asian Indigenous Education Caucus Forum

Indigenous Empowerment through Global Network: Possible Risk

Bengt G. Karlsson ,

02:00pm Preview: Culturally Appropriate Education for Indigenous and Tribal Peoples

Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Chairperson, Empowerment of Scheduled Tribes, Planning Commission, Government of India.

Questions and comments

03:00 pm Tea Break

03:15 pm Questions and comments (Contd)

04:00 pm Summing up: Chair

05:00 pm End of session

05-07 pm Free evening

07:00 pm Dinner

08:10 pm Cultural Night

10:00 pm End of Day 2

February 28 th

09:00am Plenary Session (2) Chair; Ratnakar Bhengra, Director, JOHAR

Education Topic One; Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Right to

Education on issues of Survival

Panelists from other indigenous nations on indigenous education

Programmes (10 minutes each)

Education on land issues

S. Drong,PCJSS, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Education on forest issues

1. Dr. Navin K Rai, Indigenous Peoples’ Coordinator

Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development, The World Bank

2. Sanjay Basu-Mallick , Director, JJBA, Jharkhand

Education on water issues

Vasavi Bhagat, Freelance Journalist, Ranchi, Jharkhand

Education on health issues

Dr. Cecil Khakha, Employee’s State Insurance Hospital, New Delhi

Dr. Laifungbam Roy, CORE, Manipur, India

Education on mining issues

Birsingh Sinku, Mines and Minerals, Ranchi, India

Education on Military Issues

Mr. Umakanta Meithei, TIPS, Manipur, India

10:30am Tea Break

10:45 am Education on Cultural Survival Issues

Thinley Penjore, Bhutan

Education on Food Security Issues

Dr. Massimo Pierie, COBASE, Rome, Italy

Questions and comments

Summing up-Chair

12:00 noon Lunch Break

01:30 pm Plenary Session (3) Chairperson: Dr. Connie, Sector Director, World Bank

Education Panel Topic: Identification of specific issues, associated with integrating indigenous education philosophy, concepts and languages in existing education system and institutions, Strategies and Recommendations

Panelists presenting specific issues/experiences (10 minutes)

South Asia

Bangladesh : S. Drong/Mrinal Kanti Tripura, Pranjal

Bhikku

Bhutan : Thinley Penjore

India : A. Kachchap, Joy Lakhra, Ratnakar Bhengra

Maldiv : ???

Nepal : Om Gurung, Parsuram Tamang

Pakistan : ???

Sri Lanka : ???

East Asia

China : Rong Xiang

Japan : Shoko Oshiro

Korea : ???

Mongolia : Delgerma Choijamts

Taiwan : Jason Pan

03:00 am Tea Break

03:45 am South East Asia

Cambodia : ???

Indonesia : ???

Laos : ???

Malaysia : ???

Myanmar : S.T. Parte

Philippines :

Singapore : ???

Thailand : Kittisak Ruttanakrajangsri

Vietnam : ???

Questions and Comments

04:00 pm Summing up-Chair

05:00 pm End of session

05-07 pm Free evening

07:00 pm Dinner

08:10 pm Cultural Night

10:00 pm End of Day 3

March 1 st

09:00am Plenary (3): Chairperson-Dr. Nirmal Minz

Education Topic Three: Indigenous Peoples’ right to determine appropriate education for human security

Presentation by indigenous education institutions on specific Initiatives, Models and Issues (15 minutes per presentation & discussion)

Panellists:

South Asia

Bangladesh : National Adivasi Coordination

Bhutan : ???

India : Bodo Sahitya Sobha, AASAA, ABSU, Maldiv : ???

Nepal : Nepal Tamang Gedung, NEFIN

Pakistan : ???

Sri Lanka : ???

East Asia

China : Social Work Research Institute, Yunan

University

Japan : Association of Indigenous Peoples in the

Ryukyus; Okinawa

Korea : ???

Mongolia : Research Centre for Human Rights and

Development

Taiwan : ATIPP

10:30 am Tea Break

 10:45 am South East Asia

Cambodia : ???

Indonesia : ICTI-TANIMBAR

Laos : ???

Malaysia : PACOS TRUST

Myanmar : Women’s League of Burma,

Philippines : Tebtebba Foundation

Singapore : ???

Thailand : IMPECT

Vietnam : Centre For Sustainable Development in

Mountainous Areas

Questions and Comments

12:00 pm Lunch Break

01:30 pm Workshops: Chairperson- Rainer Hoerig, Journalist, Germany

03:00 pm Tea Break

03:45 pm Group wise Presentation of Recommendations and Strategies

Questions and comments

04:45 pm Summing up, Adoption of Draft Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Guwahati

Declaration on “Education”.

05:00 pm End of session

05-07 pm Free evening

07:00 pm Dinner

08:10 pm Cultural Night

10:00 pm End of Consultation on Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Consultation on “Education”

ASIAN INDIGENOUS AND TRIBAL PEOPLES’ CONSULTATION ON “EMPOERMENT FOR SELF RULE”

March 2 nd – 6 th 2005

March 2 Plenary Session (1) Chairperson Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Chief Advisor,

ICITP

( 09:00 am) Introductory Remarks

Dr. B. D. Sharma , Chairperson, Bharat Jan Andolan

Overview of the Empowerment of the Indigenous Peoples for Self-Rule

Ganesh Kutum , Former Speaker of Assam Assembly.

10:30 am TEA BREAK

10:45 am Follow up of Recommendations and Issues at the United Nations in general –

Ratnakar Bhengra, Director, JOHAR, Jharkhand

Questions and comments

12:00 noon LUNCH BREAK

( 01:30 pm) Inter tribal linkages

Ramnika Gupta, Coordinator, All India Tribal Literary Forum

Question and Comments

03:00 pm TEA BREAK

03:15 pm Linking Asia with Indigenous Peoples internationally

World Bank and the Indigenous Peoples

Barbara Verardo , World Bank

Questions and comments

04:00 pm Summing up-Chair

05:00 pm End of session

05-07 pm Free evening

07:00 pm Dinner

08:10 pm Cultural Night

10;00 pm End of Day 5

March 3

09:00 am Plenary Session (2): Chairperson – Uday Nath Majhi, NEC, Shillong

Country Presentations on Follow-up: Progress assessment on

implementation of recommendations at local / national / regional levels

and identification of emerging issues on Self-Rule

East Asia : China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan

10:30 am TEA BREAK

10:45 am South East Asia : Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malayasia, Myanmar,

Philippines , Singapore, Vietnam.

Questions and comments

01:30 pm South Asia : Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldiv, Nepal, Pakistan,

Srilanka.

03:00 pm TEA BREAK

03:45 PM Questions and comments

04:00 pm Summing up-Chair

05:00 pm End of session

05-07 pm Free evening

07:00 pm Dinner

08:10 pm Cultural Night

10;00 pm End of Day 6

March 4 Workshops Chair: Vasavi Bhagat

09:00 am Group Discussions emerging issues relating to Empowerment for

Self-Rule and strategies for implementation

Setting the parameters of a Draft Declaration on Empowerment

Dr. Walter Fernandes , Institute of Social Research, Guwahati

10: 30 am TEA BREAK

10:45 am Questions and comments

12:00 noon LUNCH BREAK

01:30 pm Group Discussion and recommendations for discussion for Draft Declaration

 03:00 pm TEA BREAK

03:45 pm Presentation and adoption of Draft Declaration

04:00 pm Summing up-Chair

05:00 pm End of session

05-07 pm Free evening

07:00 pm Dinner

08:10 pm Cultural Night

10;00 pm End of Day 7

March 5 th Field Trip to Bodoland Territorial Council Area

08:00 am Dept. from SSKS, Guwahati

12:00 Inauguration of exhibition on Indigenous Art and Culture by

Shri Reo Reoa Narzihari, Hon’ble Executive Member, BTC

02:00 pm Seminar on “ Globalisation and the Indigenous Peoples”

Chair: Jason Pan, Taiwan

04:00 pm Indigenous Film Shows

Manipuri Indigenous Film

Santali Indigenous Film

Bodo Indigenous Film

Santali Indigenous Film

Documentary Films by AKHRA (Meghnath)

10:00 pm End of Day 8

March 6 th

12:00 noon Closing Session: Chairpersons – Prithibi Majhi, Hon’ble Speaker, Assam Assembly

Arrival of Chief Guest, Shri Tarun Gogoi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam

Traditional Welcome at entrance: Local Indigenous Communities

Greetings and welcome:

Shri Hagrama Mohilary, Chief Executive Member,

BTC, Kokrajhar

Introductory Remarks: Eric Listening Owl, Co-Chair, Indigenous Education

Caucus, UNPF

Presentation of the Guwahati Declaration

Declaration- Mr.Thinley Penjore and Mrs. Jarjum Ete,

Observations by Distinguished Guests

Dr. Barbara Verardo, World Bank, Washington DC, USA

Shri Chandan Brahma, Hon’ble Deputy Chief of BTC

Valedictory address: Chief Guest, Shri Tarun Gogoi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam

Closing Remarks-Chair, Prithibi Majhi, Hon’ble Speaker, Assam Assembly

Vote of Thanks- Jebra Ram Muchahary, Chief President of ICITP

05:06 pm Free evening

06:00 pm Dinner

07:00 pm onwards Cultural exchange and Solidarity Night

Bodo Cultural expression

Santali Cultural expression

Rabha Cultural expression

Mising Cultural expression

Deuri Cultural expression

Cultural expression of Jharkhand

Cultural expression of Manipur

Cultural expression of Mizoram

Cultural expression of Nagaland

Cultural expression of Arunachal Pradesh

March 7th DEPARTURE

The participants of the consultations were officially welcomed on 25 th evening in a traditional welcome ceremony. There were more than 100 delegations from different parts of Asia. The ceremonial function was chaired by Mr. Prithibi Majhi and welcomed by the organisers with special performance of Bodo and Santali Traditional cultural expressions.

The consultation on “Education” was inaugurated on 26 th of February by His Excellency Lt. Gen Ajai Singh, PVSM, AVSM, the Governor of Assam in a colourful programme. The inaugural function was addressed by Mr. Parshuram Tamang, Interim Chair, UNPF on Indigenous Issues, Mr. Kampa Borogoyary, Hon’ble Executive Member of BTC, Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Mr. Prithibi Majhi and Dr. Dominic Mardi, the Secretary General, ICITP. The consultation on “Education” continued till 1 st of March 2005.

The consultation on “Empowerment for Self Rule” began on 2 nd of March and ended on 4 th of March in Srimanta Sankara Deva Kalakshetra, Guwahati.

The closing ceremony was held in collaboration with BTC, AASA and ACMA in Gossaigaon on 5 th and 6 th March which was attended by more than 70, 000 local IPs and the open session was addressed by Mr. Tarun Gogoi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Mr. Prithibi Majhi, the Hon’ble Speaker of Assam Assembly, Mr. Chandan Brahma, Deputy Chief Executive Member, BTC, Mr. Justin Lakra, President of AASA, Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Chief Advisor, ICITP. Apart from cultural expression of various cultural groups like Naga, Mizo, Arunachalis, Bodo, Santals, Jharkhandis, Rabhas, Misings, Tiwas and Mundaris, a Special Exhibition on Tribal Arts and culture was also organised to mark the IPs solidarity during the open session.

A seminar on “ Indigenous Peoples and Globalisation” was organised on 5 th afternoon chaired by Mr. Thinley Penjore ( Bhutan) and addressed by many appointed speakers like Mr. Sanjay Basu Mallik, Mrs. Ramnika Gupta, Dr. S. Solanki, Dr. Ram Dayal Munda, Ms. Vasavi Bhagat and Rev. Bikku Pranjalankar.

The most remarkable event of the closing ceremony was the declarations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” known as “Gossaigaon Declarations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule”, which were declared by Mr. Thinley Penjore and Mrs. Jarjum Ete, amongst the crowd of more than 70, 000 IPs and the dignitaries on 6 th of March. The Gossaigaon Declarations are as follows:

GOSSAIGAON DECLARATION ON “EDUCATION”

PREAMBLE:

We the participants of the Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Consultation on “Education” affirm our vital role in strengthening knowledge capacity of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) in advancing the struggles for tradition, culture and social justice through self determination in bringing about peace and stability for the IPs/Tribal community (Adivasi), who for ages, have been under the clutches of colonization with suppressive and discriminatory policies of the ruling society that belong to the communities other than the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi). Further, the so-called globalisation and liberalization policy accompanied by militarism and aggressive development policies have violated the basic human rights of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi).

The participants of the Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Consultation on Education held on 26 Feb-1 March 2005 in Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Panjabari, Guwahati, Assam, North-Eastern India recognize the importance of education in empowering Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) deliberated widely covering the existing education system of various Asian Nations. It brought to light many problems that many Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) face. There is a serious crisis in realizing their potentials through this system consequent upon which the mother tongue of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) is on the brink of extinction. The prevailing systems have been found to be serious lacking the essence of IPs needs and aspirations. In consideration of the factual phenomenon, the Consultation considered to make the following recommendations befitting to the needs of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples

(Adivasi), taking into account the ground reality. The Consultation reached the consensus to make the following recommendations for a holistic development of the potentials of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi), which would enable to benefit the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) community as a whole both in terms of quantity and quality.

The declaration thus reads:

GOSSAIGAON DECLARATION ON “EMPOWERMENT OF INDIGENOUS AND TRIBAL PEOPLES FOR SELF-RULE”

PREAMBLE

We the participants of the Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Consultation on “Empowerment of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples for Self-Rule” held on 2-4 March 2005 in Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Panjabari, Guwahati, Assam, address widely the serious deteriorating situation and problems faced by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) in most of the Asian nations. They feel and fully realize that Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) are the most disadvantaged groups in society despite the considerable efforts that have been made during the last several decades for their protection and development.

The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) face serious problems, such as racial discrimination, land alienation, militarization, forced population transfer, displacement, human rights abuses and cultural assimilation. Their traditional way of governance has been denied and suppressed. Their habitations were divided during colonial period by applying “divide and rule” policy for colonial interests. In the wake of their recent awareness, Indigenous, and Tribal Peoples (Adivasi) have realized that there is a need to rectify the past errors of territorial divisions for full realization and enjoyment of their fundamental rights and freedoms through a peaceful process towards Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ self-determination. The participants discussed various options, such as self-rule, village council and self-determination as a solution to these problems. Taking these facts into consideration, the Consultation has unanimously adopted the following recommendations for consideration by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2005:

Some of these include:

March 18 th –20 th, 2005

 ICITP-NEZ organized a post consultations meeting to review the consultations’ out come, follow up and audit of the expenditure of the consultations on “Education” and “Empowerment for Self Rule” in the Zonal office, Guwahati.