UN Draft Declaration of Indigenous Rights up for debate

Students from Curtin’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies (CAS) will debate the UN Draft Declaration of Indigenous Rights this Wednesday 3 October as part of an initiative to help students gain a better understanding of issues involved in forming such a framework

The debate will be facilitated by the Human Rights Youth Association of Western Australia and will see students split into member nations to replicate the process of the United Nations.

There will be approximately 70 Indigenous Community Management & Development students and eight Human Rights students participating in the UN Role Play.

Students have been allocated member nations and will represent this country during the debate.  Students have had to research information on human rights with a focus on indigenous rights, the functions of the UN and the country they are representing so that they can present a well informed argument during the Role Play.

The foyer of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies will be set up to replicate the General Assembly with debate on resolutions taking place in classrooms in the Centre before they are brought back to the ‘General Assembly’ area for further debate and discussion.

Head of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies Anita Lee Hong said that learning activities such as the UN Role Play are an important part of the curriculum.

“The Declaration of Indigenous Rights is an important and topical issue for CAS students to discuss as this declaration was recently put forward at the United Nations.

“Australia was one of only four countries who did not support this declaration which acknowledges indigenous rights in a range of issues and addresses intellectual property rights, environmental issues and the right to maintain cultural traditions.

“I will be interested to see if the CAS students reach the same conclusions as the Australian Government and to hear any recommendations that come from the role play.”

The UN Role Play will commence at 9am and run throughout the day on Wednesday 3 October at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Building 211 at Curtin University of Technology’s Bentley Campus.

Note to COS/Editor:  Media are welcome to attend this event, please contact Katie McGregor, PR Officer, on 08 9266 4364.

Modified: 2 October 2007

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