Joint Action Plan for Barents indigenous peoples
A new Action Plan for Indigenous Peoples in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region for the period 2009-2012 has been adopted. The plan promotes measures within the fields of trade and business, language and media, health and social related issues, environment and culture.
The measures are focused on the Nenets, Vepsian and Saami areas on the Russian side of the region.
Among priority measures for the period are the establishment of a Barents Indigenous Peoples’ Congress, a forum for discussion and cooperation between indigenous politicians of the Barents Euro-Arctic Region, the establishment of a network of indigenous media within the circumpolar area and the cleansing and improvement of the quality on drinking water in the areas of indigenous peoples’ residence.
The Working Group of Indigenous Peoples in the BEAR (WGIP) is appointed by the Barents Regional Council and was established on a permanent basis in 1995. WGIP has an advisory status towards the Barents Regional Council and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC).
