Summary Note 15 (December 2023)
This Summary presents the discussions held, in person and online, during the 16th session of the EMRIP, July 17 to 21, 2023.
To be a Docip volunteer involves putting one’s skills at the service of indigenous delegates during their participation in the UN arena.
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Docip carries out its activities in accordance with the principles of impartiality, neutrality, collegiality, and non-interference. We respect the principle of the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples. We conduct our actions and activities upon the request of indigenous representatives. In addition, when considering any major change in its activities, Docip carries out consultations with indigenous representatives. See our page on Docip’s Principles.
Docip’s work is carried out within a framework of horizontal governance that is centred on the capacity for self-organization, cooperation and mutual trust among its employees, as well as its management and governing bodies (the Docip Committee and the Foundation Board). The Docip Committee is an advisory, decision-making and operational body that is concerned with human resources, and organizational and financial matters. The Foundation Board is the highest decision-making body of Docip, and it is responsible for legal and financial issues. No action is taken without the consultation and agreement of the decision-making bodies. See our page on Docip’s Governance.
By Documentation, we mean a wide range of documentary sources that constitute the collective record or memory of the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples at the international level. For the past 30 years, Docip has collected thousands of documents, which we have—over the years—collected, classified, prepared and archived (e.g., statements made at international conferences, documents produced by indigenous organizations and indigenous or non-indigenous academics, major UN reports on indigenous themes, historical documents, etc.).
By Research, we mean the action—conducted with impartiality and neutrality—of making available a given document to an indigenous representative or any other civil society actor wishing to attain greater understanding and deeper knowledge of indigenous rights, as well as those wishing to build a case in defence and promotion of these rights. It is important to note that we do not conduct academic or scientific research. However, using the archived documentation, we do perform documentary searches on various sources (e.g., legal documents, UN periodic reports, doctrinal texts and international legal instruments, practical guides, historical documents, etc.).
By Information, we mean the receipt and dissemination on a daily basis of data concerning Indigenous Peoples. Acting as an information courier, Docip manages and handles this data with systematic rigour.
Docip is funded on an annual basis by various institutions at the local, national, European and international levels. We are funded by the European Union (through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights). At the local level, Docip receives financial support from the Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva. Additionally, Docip relies on the Sámi Parliament of Norway (Sámediggi) as its indigenous financial partner. Our activity reports are available online. Please see our page on institutional funding.
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The training and capacities transfer services aim to train indigenous representatives in the area of promotion and defence of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in order for them to then be able to act as multiplier agents in their own communities. Specifically, the capacities transfer programme involves a 15-day training session in Geneva (Switzerland) held following the EMRIP sessions. Each year, 7 indigenous participants have the opportunity to improve their knowledge in the area of promotion and defence of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The themes of the capacities transfer programme vary. At the end of the residency, participants must set up a local project in their community, as well as conduct a training session on documentation and on human rights (knowledge that they will have acquired during their residency). With regard to training, it is offered in collaboration with the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples during the UNPFII and the EMRIP. The training allows new delegates to access theoretical and practical content about the UN’s international mechanisms. To learn more about training and/or capacities transfer activities, visit our page or contact the person in charge. You can also read testimonials of past participants here.
Our strategic support service is designed to answer specific requests related to the promotion and defence of the rights and freedoms of Indigenous Peoples during their participation in the international arena. We offer this service of strategic support during meetings of treaty bodies and/or the Universal Periodic Review, as well as during the UNPFII or the EMRIP. In both cases, the strategic support is offered free of charge by Docip. Qualified people from the team accompany the selected indigenous delegates. The indigenous delegate acquires knowledge of the UN’s international mechanisms and the tools available for the promotion and defence of their rights. To request strategic support, click here. You can also read the testimonials of indigenous delegates who have received strategic support from Docip in the past.
Docip’s translation and interpretation services are offered free of charge in 4 languages (French, English, Spanish and Russian) at international conferences on Indigenous Peoples. We have professional volunteers available on site or by email who can translate the interventions of indigenous delegates attending the conference. It is also possible to obtain translations of posters for side events or to request a translation of an intervention. Additionally, we have professional interpreters on site who are available for informal meetings, caucus meetings and other indigenous group meetings, and side events of indigenous delegates. To request a translation or interpretation at an international conference, click here.
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Each country is subject to different legislation on immigration. You should refer to the embassy or a consulate of the host country for more information. If you have trouble finding information about obtaining your visa for an international conference on Indigenous Peoples, please contact us.
Docip makes available to delegates a Welcome Guide in which information can be found not only about housing, but also about transportation and restaurants in New York, Geneva and Brussels. Click here to download the Welcome Guide.
Each UN conference, meeting or session requires accreditation. To obtain it, you can visit the official sites of the meeting you wish to attend. Accreditations are always issued a few months in advance. Once you get the accreditation, you should complete your visa application. To do this, you must consult the embassy or a consulate of the country you intend to visit. If you would like assistance with these procedures, please let us know.
To participate in a conference, you should first check the dates of the conference, as well as those for accreditation. You also need to consider the visa that is required to enter the host country. Once you have your accreditation and your visa, you can then book your accommodation. UN conferences usually last from a few days to 2 weeks. To learn more about the dates of the conferences, please refer to our agenda.
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Once a volunteer agrees to participate in a technical secretariat, he/she has a moral obligation to abide by his/her commitment. Withdrawals and last-minute schedule changes significantly complicate the organization of our secretariat. The work of indigenous delegates in pursuit of respect for their rights also depends on the commitment of our volunteers.
Unfortunately, we are unable to contribute financially to expenses related to transportation or accommodation of volunteers during an international conference. However, a small lunch allowance is provided each day to volunteers working on site.
Volunteering with Docip offers a valuable personal and professional experience not only to work alongside indigenous representatives, but to do so at the United Nations. Volunteers put into practice their knowledge and experience to provide logistical support to indigenous delegations coming from all corners of the planet. Docip’s technical secretariats are more than simply workplaces that are limited to professional relationships among colleagues; they are also welcoming places of interchange that often create and sustain real friendships. The volunteer also acquires new skills and has the opportunity to put his or her expertise to good use. At the end of the technical secretariat, a certificate can be provided to the volunteer acknowledging the volunteer’s participation for the entire length of the secretariat. To volunteer, please click here to contact the person in charge of our volunteer network. You can also visit our volunteer network page to read testimonials posted by some of our current and past volunteers
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Accessibility of our website for persons with disabilities is important. We want to offer all of our visitors adequate access to our online services and content. Our website therefore complies 100% with WCAG 2.0 Level A standards, and it also fulfils some of its AA and AAA recommendations.
You can perform quick searches in our various collections. Our online documentation includes more than 10,000 documents (e.g., historical documents, major reports, statements made by indigenous delegates and by other international or governmental actors at international conferences, various General Assembly resolutions, Symposium documents, international legal instruments, etc.). If you have difficulties with your online searches, please contact us.
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By making a donation to Docip, you support our work on behalf of Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the international arena. Docip works with passion and conviction for the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. You can make a secure donation online or by wire transfer, with the knowledge that your data is protected.
