United Nations: MCV Participation Timeline
MCV was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in July 2016 for our humanitarian work in Maasai communities. MCV core values align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and we develop Maasai-led programs to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. MCV is committed to working with the United Nations to provide direct feedback from Maasai land and to advocate for Maasai rights. MCV reports to the United Nations bodies through the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
All MCV programs align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To date, MCV has provided clean water to over 80,000 people; we also implemented programs for education, healthcare, food security, solar, cultural preservation, and other programs that are led by the Maasai for poverty elevation, reduced inequalities, women empowerment, and for sustainable communities. MCV also opened the only community-led Maasai Heritage Museum, an institution to protect ancient traditional knowledge for future generations and to celebrate our human diversity.
Upcoming UN Meetings:
In 2025, MCV is planning to participate in the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), and the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
As part of this engagement, MCV has curated a powerful art exhibition showcasing Indigenous land rights and the Maasai cultural heritage, emphasizing their contributions to world peace and the preservation of traditional knowledge for the benefit of all humanity.
MCV’s Timeline with the UNITED NATIONS:
March 17, 2025
ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025 – Join MCV Side Session
Join MCV for the ECOSOC Youth Forum “Educating Girls to Overcome Poverty & Bridging the Digital Divide” Coming Soon! April 16th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST Venue Address In Person Location: Jay Suites Conference Center (Bryant Park) 109 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018 (2nd Floor, Toronto Room) In [...]
May 9, 2024
MCV Participates in the 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference in Kenya
MCV Participated in the Historic 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference in Kenya Advancing Global Development and Inclusion MCV proudly participated in the historic 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya. This landmark 69th session, taking place for the first time in Africa and the [...]
April 18, 2024
MCV UN ECOSOC Youth Forum & UNPFII Side Session 2024
MCV's United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Session 2024: Preserving Indigenous Knowledge for Future Generations Watch MCV’s UN side session featuring the Maasai from Kenya and Tanzania and the Kumeyaay from San Diego and Tijuana as they share their collaborative efforts to preserve and pass down traditional wisdom to future generations. [...]
April 27, 2023
UNPFII 2023 MCV SIDE SESSION
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights - Zoom Side Session Join the Zoom UN Side Session on Thursday, April 26th, 2023 MCV is honored to host a side session for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 22nd session for the theme “Indigenous Peoples, human [...]
January 14, 2023
MCV + United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights 2023
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights MCV will be hosting an informative side session at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights correlating with this year's theme “Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health, and climate change: a rights-based approach”. MCV will also be [...]
May 3, 2019
The Maasai Defend Traditional Knowledge & Land Rights at the United Nations
MCV was honored to once again participate in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights, April 22 - May 3rd, 2019 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. It was empowering to unite with over a thousand indigenous leaders, organizations, and member states to strengthen Indigenous people’s collective rights. [...]
United Nations Event: Safeguarding Maasai Heritage
Event Sponsors MCV is seeking generous sponsors. Your sponsorship will support Maasai peoples rights and advocacy for land and culture. Sponsorship is one of the best ways to brand your company and promote your commitment to advancing our mission to empower Maasai people. As a sponsor, you’ll receive: [...]
January 30, 2019
Conservation and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples : UN Expert Meeting
MCV attended an international expert group meeting on “Conservation and the rights of indigenous peoples” in January 2019 at the UN Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. As guardians of the land, indigenous people play a crucial role in conservation; however, their custodianship of the environment and their rights to their land and [...]
June 11, 2018
MCV Translated the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
MCV Translated the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into the Maasai Language The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a comprehensive statement addressing the human rights of indigenous peoples. It was drafted and formally debated for over twenty years prior to [...]
March 15, 2018
MCV Conference: Shaping the Future of the Maasai: Challenges, Opportunities, and Aspirations
MCV’s Maasai 2018 Annual Conference Report Shaping the Future of the Maasai: Challenges, Opportunities, and Aspirations My Chosen Vessels hosted a Maasai Conference, Shaping the Future of the Maasai: Challenges, Opportunities, and Aspirations, at Sentrim Lodge in Amboseli, Kenya on March 15, 2018. This full-day event convened Maasai cultural [...]
July 10, 2017
The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations Human Rights in Genève, Switzerland (10th session)
The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations Human Rights in Genève, Switzerland (10th session) MCV participated in the 10th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations Human Rights in Genève, Switzerland from July 10th - 14th. [...]
April 24, 2017
MCV Advocates for Protection for the Maasai Ancestral Land
MCV Joins the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues My Chosen Vessels (MCV) was honored to participate in the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues from April 24th to May 5th, 2017 at the UN Headquarters in New York City. More than 1,000 indigenous peoples’ representatives participated in [...]
July 1, 2016
MCV Granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations
MCV Granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations MCV was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in July 2016 for our humanitarian work in Maasai communities. MCV provides sustainable humanitarian programs in the area of water, education, cultural preservation, solar, and human [...]
