International Indigenous Network

Advancing Indigenous Opportunity / Bolivia

AIO and our sister organization, the Advancement of Maori Opportunity (AMO) are working to develop a working relationship with the Indigenous communities and leaders in Bolivia. Like all AIO activities, the initiative “Advancing Indigenous Opportunity/Bolivia” works to reaffirm cultural values and help community leaders incorporate these values into solutions that build cultural values, and promote effective democratic participation.

In June 2007, both Maori and Native American Ambassadors participated in a joint international gathering in Bolivia. They met with a wide array of Indigenous leaders, from the traditional leaders in Potosi to Bolivia’s Indigenous leader, President Evo Morales (Aymara).

In October 2007, at the behest of President Evo Morales, AIO and AMO returned to Bolivia with a small delegation to celebrate the signing of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This year, AIO and AMO have worked with organizations in Bolivia on creating a collective aspiration aimed at furthering the leadership skills and self-determination capabilities of Indigenous peoples world-wide.

In November 2008, AMO Ambassadors and AIO staff returned to Bolivia to attend an international Indigenous peoples conference and engage with Indigenous communities around the country.