PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES

UNPFII

Topic: Challenges Related to Cultural Preservation, Including Languages, Land, and Traditions

Committee Profile

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was created in 2000 to tackle matters related to Indigenous people, including, economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights. Delegates will be tasked with navigating the historical and current relations that national governments have with indigenous communities. This committee will be focused on the theme of the 24th UNPFII session, “implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within UN member states and the UN system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges,” with an emphasis on cultural preservation, including languages, land, and traditions.

Committee Chair

A young man with glasses and black hair, smiling, standing outdoors on a balcony with green trees in the background.

  • Willamette University

    Keenan Yoshizawa is a third year student at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon double majoring in Politics, Policy, Law, and Ethics and History. Raised on the Windward Side of Oʻahu, Keenan attended Mililani High School. He has been a high school delegate at PacMUN for two years, and this is his first year Chairing! This past spring, he completed a legislative internship at the Oregon House of Representatives, immersing himself in the operations of the legislative process.