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> Equator Prize 2008

> From Equatorinitiative (19.03.08)

Dear friends and colleagues,

It is our great pleasure to announce the opening of the call for
nominations for the Equator Prize 2008: Celebrating Community Success in
Biodiversity Conservation and Poverty Reduction.

This marks the fourth round of the internationally renowned Equator
Prize. Awarded biennially, the Equator Prize recognizes community-based
initiatives that demonstrate extraordinary achievement in reducing
poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in
the equatorial belt. Prize winners receive worldwide recognition for
their work as well as an opportunity to help shape national and global
policy and practice in the field.

Twenty-five community organizations will be honored with the Equator
Prize 2008 and US$5,000 each. Five of these communities will receive
special recognition and an additional US $15,000. Special recognition
will be given in the following categories: one for each region of
eligibility (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the
Caribbean), one to the initiative that best exemplifies community
approaches to adapt to climate change, and one to the initiative that
best exemplifies the conservation of agricultural biodiversity. The
Equator Prize will be presented in October 2008, in Barcelona, Spain, at
the IUCN World Conservation Congress. All winners will have the
opportunity to showcase their work in the "Poble" Dialogue Space at the
Congress.

The Equator Prize 2008 nomination process will be open through May 31,
2008. Details on the criteria for the Prize, information on the award
process, and the online nomination system can be accessed through the
Equator Initiative website at www.equatorinitiative.org.

We encourage you to nominate qualified community initiatives that are
active in environmental conservation and sustainable development within
the equatorial region. Self-nominations are welcome.

Contact Information
For more details or to make a nomination, please log on to:
www.equatorinitiative.org or contact Eileen de Ravin, Equator Initiative
Manager, eileen.de.ravin@undp.org,
+1 212 457 1709.

(20.01.08)
> A reform to the UN Human Rights system

Following a reform to the UN Human Rights system, the Human Rights Council had to examine how to somehow continue the work of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, which was the body previously dedicated to Indigenous Peoples' issues based under the now defunct Human Rights Commission.

On 14th December 2007, at the resumed 6th session of the Human Rights Council the draft resolution A/HRC/6/L.42 (HRC Resolution 6/36 - not yet posted at the UN website) establishing a new expert mechanism on the rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted - by consensus - by the Human Rights Council.

This expert mechanism is to provide the Human Rights Council with thematic expertise on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. The expert mechanism would focus mainly on studies and research-based advice and suggest proposals to the Council for its consideration and approval. The expert mechanism would consist of five independent members and would meet once annually for five working days to contribute to the work of the Council with regard to the human rights of Indigenous Peoples.

See the Expert mechanism on the human rights of indigenous peoples (pdf)