Opening the event International Decade of Indigenous Languages: Actions for Sustainable Results Colorado University Professor Kristen Carpenter reminded that the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognizes their right to use, develop, revitalize and transmit their languages to future generations. Moderator suggested that the Declaration should become a source of inspiration for real changes that will ensure that Indigenous Peoples have the opportunity to speak and be understood in their native language, guarantee freedom of speech, religion and culture, receive medical care, participate in politics and democratic procedures, and ensure economic development. Professor Carpenter encouraged participants to reflect on specific criteria for assessing the effectiveness of the measures taken by States as part of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Moderator noted that many countries, including the United States, should adopt the positive experience of Russia, which was one of the first in the world to officially adopt a national action plan for the International Decade.
Professor Andrew Cowell of the University of Colorado emphasized in his keynote address that national action plans must reflect states' commitment to cooperate with Indigenous Peoples in efforts to preserve native languages and respect their autonomy in matters of linguistic and cultural development. According to the scientist, the national action plan will only be successful if there is a mandate for its implementation from linguistic communities. Professor Cowell also believes that national action plans for the Decade and educational programs must be sensitive to local cultures, traditions and values of Indigenous Peoples. The ability of the education system to integrate the Indigenous Peoples’ own methods for revitalizing their languages, the ability to train teachers of native languages, and extend the language instruction to all levels of education are seen by the linguist as the most important criteria for the effectiveness of the Decade.
International expert and member of the Permanent Forum in 2020 – 2022 Alexey Tsykarev expressed confidence that a development plan should be introduced for each specific language, taking into account the specificities and priorities of the language community, the level of viability, the number of speakers and the degree of documentation. The implementation of such plans and the preservation of every language function could become a contribution to respect for human rights and criteria for the effectiveness of the Decade. Tsykarev is also convinced that the Decade will allow to reassess the role of languages as a factor in socio-economic development and develop language indicators for the post-2030 development agenda.
Secretary of the National Council for the Equality of Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities of Ecuador Antonia Marjorie Vargas Malaver recognized the paramount importance of the political will of states to strengthen institutions focused on working with Indigenous Peoples, preserving their languages and culture. As Ecuador's contribution, she highlighted the creation of the Interministerial Commission for the Revitalization of Languages, Traditional Knowledge, Ancestral Knowledge and Intangible Heritage for 2022-2032, which is leading the preparation of the Plan for the Revitalization of Languages, Wisdom and Heritage of Indigenous Peoples. Expert stated that supporting Indigenous languages is a priority of state national policy in Ecuador, and multilingualism is enshrined in the country’s Constitution. At the same time, Ecuador was one of the main supporters of the proclamation by the UN General Assembly, first of the International Year, and then of the International Decade for Indigenous Languages.
Advisor to the Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs of Russia Sergei Timoshkov said that in the Russian Federation the goals of the International Decade are approved by federal and regional regulations, which creates the necessary impetus for taking support measures and monitoring their effectiveness. Many regions of the country have adopted Action plans for the Decade, that include targeted programs and laws on languages, creative industries, indigenous media, and educational systems for nomadic people. At the federal level, a working group has been formed to develop online translation systems, a committee on scripts has been established, and new methodologies and textbooks in 22 languages have been taken into practice. Government representative highlighted the key role of Indigenous organizations in the development of methods for teaching native languages, the scientific documentation of knowledge about languages, and the development and implementation of curricula. The speaker announced that in order to monitor the achievement of the goals of the International Decade, a high-level conference will be held in Russia every other year.
In other regions of the world, Indigenous Peoples also plan to play a critical role in implementing the Decade and monitoring its impact. Shawnee Chief Ben Barnes said the Decade allowed his tribe to develop a 10-years financial plan for language support instead of usual practice of allocating annual budgets. On the territory of the tribe, in parallel with the International Decade, the Shawnee Language Decade was proclaimed.
Participants discussed the importance of allocating adequate funding to support Indigenous media and protect their intellectual property and linguistic knowledge from appropriation and abuse. As an increasing number of states are now developing national action plans, laws, strategies and programs for the International Decade, it is important to introduce appropriate indicators to measure final and intermediate achievements. Such work will support continuous improvement of language initiatives and make sustainable results more likely.
Summing up the discussion, Member of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Antonina Gorbunova emphasized the importance of the synergy of efforts of Indigenous Peoples, states, the academic and expert community in matters of preserving Indigenous languages on the basis of the universal principle “nothing for us without us.” The expert is convinced that thanks to the interconnectedness of human rights, the International Decade makes it possible to talk about both the transmission of native languages to future generations, and overcoming the digital divide, preserving a prosperous natural environment, food systems, traditional crafts and way of life, access to lands and, in general, socio-economic well-being of Indigenous Peoples. The Expert Mechanism member called on UNESCO to make efforts to collect, analyze and publish Action plans for the Decade adopted at all levels.
The event was organized by KMNSOYUZ in partnership with the American Indian Law Program of the University of Colorado, the Ecuadorian National Council for the Equality of Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities, and the Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples and Public Diplomacy Young Karelia. Partners agreed to continue their joint efforts to develop and promote a set of tools and global indicators to assess the success of the Action plans for the International Decade.
