Report of the WSIS Indigenous Thematic Planning Conference for Tunisia

The only Indigenous-specific conference held in preparation for the second phase of WSIS, taking place in Ottawa, Canada from March 17-18, 2005. Explored opportunities for closing the digital divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups and for Indigenous peoples to effectively use ICTs for sustainable development and poverty reduction. Themes addressed were: Indigenous Media and the Arts, E-health, E-government, Millennium Development Goals and Connectivity (particularly poverty reduction and education), Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights, Cultural Diversity, and Gender Equality. Co-Chairs, best practices, specific challenges, and path options are presented for each theme.