CIVICUS speaks with Mercè Monje Cano, Secretary General of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), about the struggles of unrepresented peoples seeking self-determination and how UNPO supports them in asserting their rights.
A membership organisation founded in 1991, UNPO represents over 40 nations, peoples and minorities excluded from diplomatic and political arenas. The organisation works to advance their right to self-determination and ensure meaningful participation in decisions that affect them. Its programmes focus on empowering women and young people, preserving cultural identities and promoting environmental justice. By linking unrepresented communities with global institutions, UNPO seeks to amplify their voices and challenge the structural barriers they face.