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Te Kawau Maro
Maori organization from Aotearoa-New Zealand
21ST May 2002
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Item: 6 Education and Culture
Mr Chairman:
 This intervention from Te Kawau Maro of Aotearoa- New Zealand elaborates
on the issues of education and culture. I want to remind the forum of a
key principle of the Permanent Forum, enunciated by the High Commissioner
Mrs. Mary Robertson, that of partnership, partnership in action, the
operative words being partnership and action. It is assumed the
partnership is equal. I wish to return to this matter but first a few
comments.
Mr. Chairman some interventions have mentioned Maori development within
the education and cultural context. Maori have contributed to the Global
Indigenous renaissance wave and in doing so have positively changed
attitudes, which could have been described as either ignorance or
colonized. Maori people challenged and influenced the behavioral culture
of those in our country. Although much progress has been made, Maori will
tell you there is still much to be done, institutionalized racism and
public Maori bashing continues within some key institutions of our
country. It is no surprise that the bigger the institution the more
difficult it is to change. The responsibility for reversing this process
must be equally shared. The cultural renaissance by Maori people and the
changes made, including the change to the dominant culture, was
determinant on Maori taking back control content and delivery of Maori
education and institutions. The focus of this intervention is related yet
closer to this house.
Mr. Chairman, partnership and action within the United Nations is a task
ahead for this forum; it is suggested that we develop these key objectives
by doing a critical analysis of the culture of the United Nations and the
education that underpins it. Mr. Chairman a recommendation is that the
Permanent Forum directs UNESCO to carry out an educational and cultural
audit of United Nations, all its institutions and staff. An audit that is
effectively independent and has qualified Indigenous persons. Possibly the
audit could be included in the current review regarding the UN agencies.
This does not necessarily mean detailing the programs for Indigenous
Peoples. It is really about asking questions such as, does the United
Nations have a culture, if it does what are its key characteristics, and
if it has key characteristics what and who are the major determinants, and
what is the education and pedagogy influencing such culture. And therefore
what are the positive and negative results and consequential effect for
Indigenous Participants within the United Nations.
These questions are in the context of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous
issues, a supposed new ground breaking institution philosophically,
ideologically, culturally and politically to name a few differences.
United Nations institutions recognize a certain hierarchy and subsequent
behavior by is actors reinforce it, this is normal, we have seen this, it
will take time for those institutions to recognize and accommodate a
change that is happening.
Why should this issue be raised, because we as Indigenous Peoples are
permanently entering an institution that has, at times been difficult? At
various Indigenous conferences we have heard Indigenous Peoples state the
United Nations should be de-colonized. If that perspective has merit then
let us do something about it. There is more than enough Indigenous
expertise to assist. There is a concern that the Indigenous Permanent
Forum comes under unnecessary pressure within the United Nations, this is
real, not imagined.
The Permanent Forum is the new Forum for Indigenous Peoples and Member
States and must be used as the United Nations example of the new
partnership development, it is ground breaking, and requires a new fresh
inspired approach. The Permanent Forum representatives are an example of
this. All those who work for and advocate on behalf of Indigenous Peoples
and the institutions that represent Indigenous Peoples must reflect the
educational and cultural renaissance inspired by Indigenous peoples. These
persons must have Indigenous experience and not necessarily have expertise
or qualifications gained at particular Universities or particular
diplomatic posts or that criteria currently determined by the United
Nations..
We look forward to some elaboration on these questions and reiterate a
recommendation that the Permanent Forum, emphasizing the Secretariat, be
led and driven by appropriately experienced Indigenous People.
Thank-you Mr. Chairman.
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