The lack of recognition of Indigenous Peoples as Peoples is a form of racial discrimination that profoundly affects us as indigenous youth.  We therefore demand on the part of the States the recognition of the existence of Indigenous Peoples as such taking into account articles 1 of the Pact of Political and Civil Rights and of the Pact of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

In addition, it is a reality that governments and civil society offer very few opportunities for the participation of indigenous youth.  In the same way, international conferences and gatherings provide little or no spaces for our participation.  We therefore recomend that the participation, consultation, and perspectives of the vunerable populations in America, especially indigenous young people who are one of the most marginalized sectors of society, are taken into account in national and international gatherings.

We demand the immediate implementation of the oral history of our Peoples in all levels of formal education.

We insist on the incorporation in school texts of the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples and their contribution to humanity, especially in history and philosophy, in addition to the elimination of  racial stereotypes that are currently being taught.

We propose the effective implementation of bilingual and intercultural education including the requirement of teaching of the rights of Indigenous Peoples to all students.

We recomend the execution of programs for indigenous youth that have as their primary objective the affirmation of indigenous cultural identity.

We demand the active participation of indigenous youth in governmental procedures and in decision-making processes that directly affect us.

Contributing organizations representing Indigenous youth:

Indigenous Association for the Argentinian Republic
The Association Aymara Inti-Marka, Chile
The Association Ixä Ca Vaá for Indigenous Information and Development, Costa Rica
Parliament of the Qullana-Aymara Peoples
Kuna Youth Movement, Panama
Student Mapuche Chile Organization
Youth Mapuche Collective Wvñoy Kuifikenewen”, Chile
Aboriginal Pastoral Organization (COOPA), Costa Rica
CAPAJ and CADMA, South America
International Indian Treaty Council