UNPO

What is the UNPO?

UNPO is an international organisation created by nations and peoples around the world who are not represented as such in the world's principal international organisations, such as the United Nations.
Founded in 1991, UNPO today consists of nearly 50 members and observer nations and peoples who represent over 100 million persons.

UNPO offers an international forum for occupied nations, indigenous peoples, minorities, and even oppressed majorities who currently struggle to regain their lost countries, preserve their cultural identities, protect their basic human and economic rights, and safeguard the natural environment.


UNPO ACTIVITIES

UNPO does not represent those peoples; it assists and empowers them to represent themselves more effectively. To this end, UNPO provides much needed professional services and facilities as well as education and training in the fields of diplomacy, international and human rights law, democratic processes and institution building, conflict management and resolution and environmental protection. Assistance by UNPO at the United Nations enhances activities by indigenous and other unrepresented peoples there.


NON VIOLENCE

Many groups turn to violence out of frustration at the refusal or inability of the international community or particular governments to listen, let alone respond, to their concerns. By demonstrating the effectiveness of non-violent strategies and actions, UNPO members hope that their organisation may succeed in reducing the use of violence throughout the world.


FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The costs of running an organisation such as UNPO are very high, and the peoples who set up UNPO do not have the means to support it on their own. Although the International Secretariat staff in the Hague is all-volunteer, operating costs are still considerable. Members, private foundations and individuals finance its activities. In the long run only a solid base of individual



FRIENDS OF UNPO can assure UNPO's continued existence and support for the needs and interest of the unrepresented nations and peoples.


MORAL AND ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT

Struggling in isolation is very painful. The knowledge that other peoples are going through similar experiences and that there are people throughout the world who know about your plight and who care, is of immeasurable importance.
FRIENDS OF UNPO provide this moral support. Through the publication of UNPO NEWS and the Special FRIENDS OF UNPO NEWSLETTER, UNPO will keep the FRIENDS OF UNPO informed of the situation of nations and peoples throughout the world. FRIENDS OF UNPO will also, in future, create Support Groups to develop activities in support of human rights and the aims of UNPO Members.
Email: unponl@antenna.nl
Mail and visiting address:UNPO 40A JavastraatNL-2585 AP The HagueThe NetherlandsTelephone: +31-70-360 3318Fax: +31-70-360 3346