A aac Arctic Athabaskan Council (aac). Aasiaat
|
|  Yüklə 0.68 Mb.
|
Tree Line – also called the Timber Line, which is the northern boundary of the Boreal forest or the taiga, and where it meets the tundra. The Arctic can also be defined as being the area above the Tree Line. This line varies depending on latitude, climate and soil conditions. Arctic. Tribal peoples – people who are living in close-knit social units based on kinship ties and shared belief systems. While most remaining tribal communities are indigenous, not all indigenous peoples still live tribally. “Tribal peoples in independent countries whose social, cultural and economic conditions distinguish them from other sections of the national community, and whose status is regulated wholly or partially by their own customs or traditions or by special laws or regulations”. (ILO 169) Convention concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries (ILO No. 169). Tribe – a group of persons, families, or clans believed to be descendents from a common ancestor and forming a close community under one leader, or chief. Trophic levels – the feeding position in a food chain such as primary producers, herbivore, primary carnivore, etc. Green plants form the first trophic level, the producers. Herbivores form the second trophic level, while carnivores form the third and even the fourth trophic levels. Truman Doctrine – named after US-President Truman when he on March 12, 1947, told the Congress: “It must be the policy of the U.S.A. to support free Peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities, or by outside pressure.” This statement has since been known as the Truman Doctrine, and is the start of the Cold War. Cold War. Trust fund – a fund set up by two parties that could be used to enable a person or juridical person to obtain independent legal advice before entering into a contractual agreement. Tundra – a treeless Arctic ecosystem. The tundra has a marshy surface with frost-moulded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients, short growing seasons, and permafrost underneath. The vegetation is dominated by lichens, mosses, grasses, and low woody plants. U UArctic University of the Arctic (UArctic). UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Ultima Thule – any far-off, unknown region somewhere in the North. Thule was the northernmost region of the habitable world to ancient Greek geographers, from the time of the fourth century Greek navigator Pytheas visited a northern island he called Thule, which has variously been identified as Iceland, Norway, or the Shetland Islands. Ultraviolet rays – also called UV rays, which is radiation from the sun that can be either useful or potentially harmful. UV rays from one part of the spectrum (UV-A) enhance plant life. UV rays from other parts of the spectrum (UV-B) can cause skin cancer or other tissue damage. The ozone layer in the atmosphere partly shields us from UV rays reaching the earth’s surface. Ulu – the women’s knife in several Arctic indigenous societies is called ulu. Originally, the blades were made of polished slate and the handles were made of ivory, antlers, bone or wood. With the European expansion into the Arctic, metal blades were introduced. To day it is the Inuit that mainly uses the ulu. The shape and size of the ulu varies from region to region. Umanak Uummannaq. Umiaq – a large open skin boat once widely used throughout the Arctic for whale hunting, or moving materials and people. In a Greenlandic context, it is referred to as the women’s boat. The umiaq is still in use in the Alaskan whale hunt. UN United Nations (UN). Unangan Aleut. UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). UNCHR United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). UNDC – United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC). UNDOF – United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). UNDP United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDRIP United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). UNECE – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). UNEP United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). UNEP/GRID-Arendal Polar Programme – the United Nations Environment Programme/Global Resource Information Database in Arendal, Norway has been designated to be “the UNEP key centre on Polar environmental assessments and early warning issues, with particular focus on the Arctic. The Polar Programme promotes the co-operation between UNEP and Arctic stakeholders to address environmental and sustainable development issues through implementing integrated ecosystem management project to protect human and biological diversity. UNEP/GRID-Arendal has also offices in Stockholm, Sweden and Ottawa, Canada. UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO World Heritage Convention Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. UNESCO World Heritage List Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. UNFPA – United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). UNHCR – United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Unicorn – an ancient mythical animal, even mentioned in the Bible, and later also used as a symbol of Jesus Christ. The unicorn resembled a white horse and had a single spiral horn in the centre of its forehead. The animal was the symbol of chastity and purity, and could only be tamed by a virgin. Doctors sold the horn of the unicorn in powdered form for ten times its weight of gold, because people believed it gave sexual power, but especially could neutralise poison. In 1638 the Danish scientist Ole Worm disclosed the fact that these horns did not belong to the unicorn, but to the narwhal. UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). UNITAR – United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). United Nations (UN) – the terminology United Nations was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers. In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organisation to draw up the United Nations Charter. Those delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States in August-October 1944. Representatives of the 50 countries signed the Charter on 26 June 1945. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States. The United Nations (UN) officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States and by a majority of other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year. Today, nearly every nation state, a total of 191 countries in the world, has a membership of the UN. UN member states have agreed to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, the international treaty that sets out basic principles of international relations. According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes: 1) to maintain international peace and security, 2) to develop friendly relations among nations, 3) to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights, and 4) to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations. The UN does not make laws. The UN provides means to help solve international conflicts and formulate policies on matters affecting all countries of the world. At the UN, all member states have a voice and a vote in this process. The UN has six main organs. Five of them are based at UN Headquarters in New York, and the sixth is located at The Hague in the Netherlands: 1) the General Assembly, 2) the Security Council, 3) the Economic and Social Council, 4) the Trusteeship Council, 5) the Secretariat, and 6) the International Court of Justice (The Hague). All UN member states are represented at the General Assembly, which is a kind of a Parliament of the Nations. The General Assembly meets at the annual regular session from September to December to consider the world’s most pressing problems. Each member state has one vote. Two-thirds majority decides decisions on key issues as international peace and security, admitting new members and the UN budget. Simple majority decides other matters. In recent years, a special effort has been made to reach decisions through consensus, rather than by taking a formal vote. Between the General Assemblies, its six main committees, other subsidiary bodies, and the UN Secretariat carry out its work. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – after the Second World War, European children faced famine and diseases. UNICEF was created in December 1946 by the United Nations to provide food, clothing and health care to them. In 1953 the UN General Assembly extended the mandate of UNICEF indefinitely. UNICEF begins a successful global campaign against yaws, a disfiguring disease affecting millions of children, and one that can be cured with penicillin. In 1959 the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which defines children’s rights to protection, education, health care, shelter and good nutrition. After more than ten years of focus on child health issues, UNICEF in 1961 expanded its interests to address the needs of the whole child. Therefore UNICEF begins an abiding concern with education, starting with support to teacher training and classroom equipment in newly independent countries. The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. It entered into force in September 1990, and became the most widely- and rapidly-accepted human rights treaty in history. United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) – a functional commission within the UN, established at the first meeting of ECOSOC in December 1946. It was the UN’s principal mechanism and international forum concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights. Due to major criticism of the member states, “some of the world's most abusive regimes”, the UN General Assembly on March 15, 2006 decided to replace the UNCHR with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights was the main subsidiary body of the UNCHR. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) – also called the Earth Summit that took place in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in June 1992. The major outcome of this conference was Agenda 21, or the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, which is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in where humans impacts on the environment. Agenda 21. United Nations Conference on the Human Environment – often referred to as Stockholm 1972. The UN called for its first international conference on the environment in Stockholm from 5 to 16 June 1972. This conference produced the first international declaration on the human environment. As a follow up on this conference, quite a few countries established for the first time a ministry of environment. Still today, the results from Stockholm are considered as one of most important steps towards saving the environment. The Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (1972) proclaimed that: 1. Man is both creature and moulder of his environment, which gives him physical sustenance and affords him the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. In the long and tortuous evolution of the human race on this planet a stage has been reached when, through the rapid acceleration of science and technology, man has acquired the power to transform his environment in countless ways and on an unprecedented scale. Both aspects of man's environment, the natural and the man-made, are essential to his well being and to the enjoyment of basic human rights--even the right to life itself. 2. The protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue, which affects the well being of peoples and economic development throughout the world; it is the urgent desire of the peoples of the whole world and the duty of all Governments. (…) It is worth to notice, that no one talked about indigenous peoples in 1972, but Recommendation 95 recognised the importance of cultural considerations in the preservation of environment. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – an international agreement from the third UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which took place in 1982. The UNCLOS defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world’s oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources. UNCLOS replaced in 1982 four 1958 treaties. UNCLOS came into force in 1994. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) – with a majority of 143 votes in favour, only four negative votes cast (Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine), the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) on September 13, 2007. The Declaration has been negotiated through more than 20 years between nation-states and indigenous peoples. The Declaration addresses both individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language, etc. The Declaration explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between States and indigenous peoples. It prohibits discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them. “Today, by adopting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples we are making further progress to improve the situation of indigenous peoples around the world,” stated General Assembly President Haya Al Khalifa. “We are also taking another major step forward towards the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.” Les Malezer, Chair of the International Indigenous Peoples' Caucus, welcomed the adoption of the Declaration in a statement to the General Assembly: “The Declaration does not represent solely the viewpoint of the United Nations, nor does it represent solely the viewpoint of the Indigenous Peoples. It is a Declaration which combines our views and interests and which set the framework for the future. It is a tool for peace and justice, based upon mutual recognition and mutual respect.” Mary Simon, president of the Inuit organisation ITK in Canada expressed: “This is a proud day for Inuit and Indigenous peoples around the world. It is also an important day in the progressive evolution of human rights standards for all peoples of the world, indigenous and non-indigenous alike. Today marks the culmination of years of persistent work in achieving this. We celebrate this as a very significant victory for all of humanity.” Further she expressed: “Inuit are disappointed with the Government of Canada’s decision to vote against this historic declaration. This negative vote is also a black mark on the governments of the four countries that voted against the Declaration, and puts them out of step with the strengthening of human rights around the world. Notwithstanding, I have no doubt this Declaration is supported and welcomed by the vast majority of my fellow Canadians.” United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – the UNDP was founded in 1965 to combine the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the United Nations Special Fund. In 1971, the two organisations were fully combined into the UNDP. To day UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is working in 166 countries on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – this body is elected by the General Assembly, and supervises the work of various committees, commissions and expert bodies in the economic and social area. ECOSOC also co-ordinates the work of UN specialised agencies. The Working Group for Indigenous Populations (WGIP) is an expert body under ECOSOC. Twelve Indigenous Peoples’ organisations have consultative status with ECOSOC. These are: Four Directions Council, Grand Council of the Crees, Indian Council of South America, Indian Law Resource Center, Indigenous World Association, International Indian Treaty Council, International Organization of Indigenous Resources Development, Inuit Circumpolar Council, National Aboriginal and Islander Legal Services Secretariat, National Indian Youth Council, Saami Council, and World Council of Indigenous Peoples. Headquarters in Geneva. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – was founded in 1945 as a specialized United Nation (UN) agency. UNESCO’s purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to promote universal respect for human rights, etc. according to the Charter of the UN. UNESCO pursues its objectives through five major programmes: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. UNESCO is designating projects and places of cultural and scientific significance, such as: international network of Geoparks, the establishment of Biosphere reserves through the MAB-programme, initiating projects on Endangered languages and linguistic diversity, and promoting World Heritage Sites, etc. The headquarter is situated in Paris, France. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – is the United Nation’s entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. UNEP is the outcome of the UN Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972. At the conference it was proposed the creation of a global body to act as the environmental conscience of the UN system. UNEP’s mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) received UNEP’s “Global 500 Award” for its work with the Inuit Regional Conservation Strategy (IRCS) in 1998. UNEP’s global base is in Nairobi, Kenya. United Nations First Summit of Indigenous Peoples – hosted by Ms. Rigoberta Menchu Turn – a Mayan Indian of Guatemala, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and the United Nations Secretary General's Special Ambassador for the International Year for the World's Indigenous People. The summit was held in B’okob’ (Chimaltenango) territory of the Maya Kaqchikeles in Guatemala, May 1993. At this summit it was resolved to establish the Decade of Indigenous Peoples from 1994 to 2003 and to urge the UN to endorse this decade. United Nations General Assembly – the General Assembly is the plenary body that controls most of the UN’s work, supervises the subsidiary organs, sets priorities, and debates major issues of international affairs. United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) – an UN body established in March 2006 as the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which was often criticised for the high-profile positions it gave to member states that did not guarantee the human rights of their own citizens. Its stated purpose is to address human rights violations. The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) is the standing body to assist the UNHRC. United Nations Secretariat – the Secretariat carries out the diverse day-to-day work of the UN. It services the other principal organs of the UN and administers the programmes and policies laid down by them. At its head is the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year, renewable term. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – the Security Council has fifteen members of which five (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and U.S.A.) are permanent. The primary role of the Security Council is to maintain international peace and security. Empowered to order mandatory sanctions, call for cease-fires, and establish peacekeeping forces. United Nations Trusteeship Council – the council was formed in 1945 to oversee the decolonization of those dependent territories that were to be placed under the international trusteeship system created by the United Nations Charter as a successor to the League of Nations mandate system. The council suspended operation on 1 November 1994, with the independence of Palau. United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) – in the 1920s, American Indians approached the League of Nations. Their visit to Geneva attracted considerable attention, but there were no tangible results. In the early years of the United Nations, indigenous peoples’ representatives made sporadic appeals to the UN, but without any specific reaction. A Bolivian Government initiative in the United Nations in 1948 to create a sub-commission to study the social problems of indigenous peoples also ended without any results. United Nations, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Commission on Human Rights, Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities had on its Forty-fifth session an Agenda item No. 14 that was called Discrimination Against Indigenous Peoples. Ms. Erica-Irene A. Daes, chairperson and rapporteur reported from the Working Group on Indigenous Populations by presenting the Draft Declaration as agreed upon by the members of the Working Group at its eleventh session. That was in August 1993.The story behind it is that the UN officially acknowledged the indigenous peoples in 1982, by establishing the Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) in Geneva. The Working Group is a platform for representatives of indigenous organisations and Governments to exchange views on a wide range of issues related to the indigenous peoples. The main objective of WGIP was to prepare a Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to review governmental policies on the promotion and protection of their human rights. The final report from WGIP was expected be completed in 1995, but was as a matter of fact not adopted by the United Nations General Assembly until September 13, 2007. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). |