Beatriz Schulthess

Beatriz Schulthess is currently Coordinator of Women's and Indigenous People's Programs at the Earth Council in Costa Rica, developing programs in relation to the follow-up and implementation of the Agenda 21 and other Rio agreements. She was Executive Director of the International Indigenous Commission from 1989 to 1992.

Since 1977, Ms. Schulthess has participated actively with the United Nations in practically all negotiations related to indigenous issues. She was instrumental in negotiations which led to the Proclamation of the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 1993, as well as in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She participated in the revision of Convention 169 for Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child. She was active in promoting the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and was appointed adviser to the UNCED's Secretary General on Indigenous issues.

Born in Argentina, she is a member of the Kolla Nation, and for many years worked as an accountant and senior international banking official.