Economical and political system supporting global economy has been negatively influencing fates of indigenous peoples as a whole as well as individuals. Not only external factors influencing single ethnic groups are responsible for dying out of minority cultures. Some ethnic groups have been able to accept influence of economic and global factors and use them for their benefit. Unfortunately, most of them are not able to cope with it. Indigenous peoples were, often against their will, pulled into a world that does not respect their values delegated from father to son and from mother to daughter. It respects only those values that fill state treasury and bank accounts and lead to sustainable growth from an economical point of view.

According to our understanding, among the main negative factors is:

- denial of human rights

- stealing of land, natural resources and knowledge from mining, oil, pharmaceutical and other companies

- governmental and economical interests

- influence of religious organizations

- lack of formal education and information

- language barrier

We function in some of the poorest developing countries where social problems are very complicated. In order to perceive the reasons it is necessary to understand hundreds of years old relationship with land, to speak old languages or to create long lasting trust.

We believe that indigenous peoples have the most complex understanding of natural resources of our planet. Their lives are closely connected to the environment, which is the source of their food and housing. The earth also serves as a spiritual anchor that they take care of and protect. We strongly believe that indigenous peoples should own, administer and claim their land. We also accept that indigenous community is heterogeneous with as many different attitudes and aspirations as any other community.

UWIP recognizes that

- All peoples in the world have the right to existence.

- Indigenous peoples, belonging to the most marginalized and impoverished groups in the world, have the right to be recognized and to have their basic human rights respected. In particular indigenous peoples have the right to be able to survive as peoples and to maintain and develop their cultures based on their own aspirations, visions and identity.

- Indigenous peoples' knowledge, modes of production and their relationship to nature can guide and inform processes that aim to combat poverty and environmental degradation.

- Indigenous peoples have a unique cultural heritage and they should play an important role in preserving rich cultural diversity in an increasingly globalized world.

It is UWIP's main task to

- Research and disseminate information about the contemporary situations of indigenous peoples.

- Make an effort to place the situation of indigenous peoples firmly on the agenda of strategically important international and regional fora.

- Support indigenous peoples in developing and implementing activities, which aim to build their own capacity and to empower them to advocate and advance their own cause effectively.

- Influence national and international institutions.