- International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) is an independent and non-profit international
human rights -basedmembership organization , whose central charter is to endorse and promote thecollective rights of the world'sindigenous peoples . Established in 1968, the IWGIA is registered as anon-profit organization inDenmark , with the head office of its Secretariat based inCopenhagen .History
The constitution of the IWGIA as a body was first proposed and initiated in August 1968, at the 38th
International Congress of Americanists , held inMunich andStuttgart . Formed as a co-operative of academicanthropologist researchers and human rights activists, the IWGIA was initially concerned with redressing the threats posed by the rapid development of settlements and industries to the indigenous groups living in theAmazon Basin . A network for indigenous advocacy and activism was first established inBrazil andParaguay , with the IWGIA later expanding its activities and involvement to the concerns of indigenous American peoples generally. Subsequently the IWGIA's working groups, advocacy support and research publications extended to cover indigenous issues across all continental regions of the globe.Since the
May 28 2000 adoption of changes to its statutes, the IWGIA has been incorporated as a membership organization, whose base membership contributes an annual subscription fee towards the running of the organization and funding of its activities.External links
* [http://www.iwgia.org/ IWGIA official site]
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