During the Philippine delegation’s stay for the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) Constructive Dialogue in Geneva, from April April 17-20, 2023, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairperson Allen A. Capuyan together with Comm Rhodex Valenciano, Dir Gillian Dunuan, Dir Rey Dingal, Mr Pascual Patting & Mr Edgar Nicolas took time to distribute copies of the Project Epanaw Coffee Table Books to the Philippine Mission in Geneva; members of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD); and representatives from Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations.

 

Among the recipients were Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva; UNCERD Chaiperson Veren Shepherd, Vice-Chairperson Michal Balcerzak, and Committee Member Faith Dikeledi Pansy Tlakula; to the United Nations General Headquarters (UN GHQ); and representatives from Indigenous Filipino communities and peoples’ organization.

 

The Project Epanaw is an endeavor to document the Philippines’ ethnography and raise awareness of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples’ (ICCs/IPs) culture, customs and traditions, and institutions. Eventually, the project targets that the increase awareness results to the development of programs and project geared to uphold the rights and well-being of ICCs/IPs in the country.

 

NCIP also took the opportunity to promote partnerships with international organizations to take part on programs and projects implemented by the agency in fulfilling its mandates to protect the interest and well-being of ICCs/IPs in the country.

 

The Philippine delegation were NCIP Chairperson Capuyan, as lead of delegation and other government officials from the Department of Justice, the Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court, the Council for the Welfare of Children, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat.