Professor Rodolfo Stavenhagen

In 2001, the Commission on Human Rights, appointed a Special Rapporteur on the situation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Professor Rodolfo Stavenhagen, from Mexico, in response to the growing international concern regarding the marginalization and discrimination against indigenous people worldwide.

Stavenhagen combines academic quality with a genuine society engagement. His work coincides with priority areas within the University of Tromsø. The Sámi and indigenous research milieu at the university has enjoyed and benefited from his extensive and solid competence and experience. He was the main speaker at the Forum Conference in 2003 and his participation on the Finnmark Act Conference in 2005 was a significant contribution in the process towards the passing of the Finnmark Act.