Brasília, 24 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - For the first time in its 34 years of existence, the National Indian Foundation (Funai) will run a leadership course Indian leaders and organizations. The course will run from today until Friday in Campo Grande (Mato Grosso do Sul), bringing together 100 leaders and representatives of 7 ethnic groups. The course will be opened by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, head of the Human Rights secretariat at the Ministry of Justice.

The course will consist of classes on protection and inspection of Indian lands, socio-economic development, Indian policy, ethics and identity, human rights and how to elaborate projects for Indians.

Marcos Terena, who coordinates Indian Rights at Funai, underscored the importance of some classes being run by Indian leaders. "Indian leaders lecturing as part of the course is proof that we have made progress in Indian rights," he said. (AB)