IIN attends meetings and conferences in Africa and worldwide to give indigenous peoples a voice and representation where the interests of indigenous and minority peoples are at stake. Part of IIN’s mandate is to involve itself in the regional, national and international processes that affect the lives of indigenous and minority peoples, especially on issues of environment and development such as food, climate change, habitat, health and education. IIN also does capacity building with indigenous groups to empower them to participate effectively in meetings and conferences, and become advocates for their own communities. Advocacy is vital in spreading awareness of indigenous struggles and securing rights worldwide. These are some of the advocacy activities which IIN has undertaken in recent years.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The 12th Conference of Parties (COP) to the UN Convention on Climate Change was held in Nairobi in November 2006. Prior to the COP, IIN collaborated with the International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forest and the Global Forest Coalition to hold a preparatory meeting to help indigenous participants follow the process and be able to contribute effectively. In addition to briefing for the COP, a seminar was held on carbon trading and biodiversity. At the COP, various indigenous organizations united to present a statement as the International Forum of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change (IIFCC). As such, they presented recommendations such as the proposal of the creation of a UNFCCC Expert Group on Indigenous Peoples, Vulnerability and Adaptation that would include both indigenous and non-indigenous experts.

Second Conference of the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)

The Second IPACC Conference took place in July 2006, in Malindi, Kenya. The conference involved a meeting of representatives from Indigenous peoples’ organizations from all over Africa, from Morocco to Tanzania to South Africa. Discussions focused on issues of indigenous cooperation and African advocacy, as well as environment. A key presentation at the meeting was the introduction of environmental conservation processes at all levels for indigenous peoples by Lucy Mulenkei of Indigenous Information Network. She took the participants step by step through the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the need for full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in sustainable development. The conference underscored the need for indigenous groups to work together, and provided a venue for networking between community groups.

International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity is held in conjunction with the Conference of the Parties (COP) on the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), which meets every two years. During COP8, the Forum had more than 100 participants of Indigenous peoples and local communities from all over the world. IIN attended to represent the indigenous peoples of East Africa. The vast majority of the Forum was able to participate through their own fundraising efforts and the generosity of both private and government donations. At the Forum, indigenous peoples met to discuss the implementation of the CBD, and make recommendations for improvement. The Forum made a statement to the Parties at the COP, and also established an IIFB Working Group on Indicators to support the Working Article 8(j) and Related Provisions develop a limited number of meaningful and practical indicators.

Conference on the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

The 7th Conference of the Parties (COP) on the Convention to Combat Desertification was held in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2005. Pastoralist representation at the COP took the form of 60-100 representatives of the Pastoralist Manyatta, who gathered as a group to discuss relevant issues. One of the major issues to be discussed was the impact of desertification on pastoralist peoples, particularly those living in Sub-Saharan Africa. From a social standpoint, desertification leads to famine, migration, conflicts and further subsequent social costs. IIN representatives attended the COP, and stressed the need to recognise pastoralism as a viable and sustainable way of life that contributes to national economic development, sustainable development and conservation.

Conference on the Ramsar Convention

The 9th COP on the Ramsar Convention on Wetland Conservation was held in Kampala, Uganda in November 2005. Before the Convention, IIN held capacity building workshops with indigenous groups to help them learn more about the Convention and plan how they might participate. As a result, the indigenous groups which attended the COP were able to make a unified statement to the Final Plenary, as well as making general recommendations to the Ramsar Convention. In this instance, IIN helped indigenous groups to formulate their concerns into a cohesive presentation, and to make themselves heard effectively at an international convention.
Other meetings, conferences and forums in which IIN takes part:
- Commission on Sustainable Development (annual)
- Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (annual)
- Commission on the Status of Women