SANA 2019 Project Completed With Publication of Finno-Ugric Language Activism Case Studies

While the International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019 is approaching its final stage and the UN General Assembly is already discussing the proclamation of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, the project „SANA 2019: Civil Society Network for Preserving and Revitalizing Indigenous Languages“ is also about to conclude. However, community-based language activists who were brought together by SANA 2019 to share experiences and  collaborate continue to work in the name of their common goal: to preserve indigenous languages of their peoples.

32857566_10204559477702261_3804714508786597888_n.jpg

SANA 2019 project has accomplished its goals: a network of civil society activists has been established which has included a series of training and networking seminars in Russia, Estonia and Finland as well as a forum of Finno-Ugric language activism. Language activists and non-governmental organisations involved in this work have had opportunities to share experiences and to receive additional resources for implementing their initiatives via SANA 2019 mini-grants. The project has also positively contributed to the International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019 within the Finno-Ugric community.

At the very end of the project the SANA 2019 team is presenting an online publication of good practices of community-based language activism: www.sana2019.ee. This publication is also a contribution of Finno-Ugric peoples to the International Year. The publication offers Finno-Ugric experiences of language activism to indigenous peoples worldwide, hopefully informing and inspiring language activists both within and beyond the Finno-Ugric world. 

sana2019publication.jpg

This project is distinguished by its case-study methodology, meaning that it reviews real-life examples of language revival and preservation and reflects on used methods, including novel ones.

Altogether, the online publication includes 22 case studies from Finno-Ugric regions of Russia, Estonia and Latvia. Case studies represent a wide range of community-based language initiatives: language nests, social media initiatives, innovative language learning aids for children, promoting indigenous languages through arts (including cinematography and comics) and much more. 

All articles are personalized, as any initiative owns its success to good will and hard work of an individual or a team. The publication can be of interest to both experts and the general public. If you would like to share your case with us please contact SANA 2019 team by email: etnoecho@gmail.com.


About SANA 2019

The project “Civil Society Network for Preserving and Revitalizing Indigenous Languages” unites organisations for preserving and revitalizing indigenous languages in the Baltic Sea Region and supports the goals of the International Year of Indigenous Languages. The project will partly overlap with the UN-proclaimed International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019, to the implementation of which project partners will provide substantive contributions as well as learn from worldwide good practices. The project brings together the following 7 partner organisations: Association “ECHO” (Karelia) as the lead partner, Centre of Support and Public Diplomacy of Indigenous Peoples “Young Karelia” , the Karelian Language House (Republic of Karelia), the Community of the Small-Numbered Izhorian People (Shoikula), Centre for Development of Indigenous Peoples “URALIC” and Seto Cultural Fund (Estonia) and the Saami civil society organisation “Giellabalggis” (Finland). The project is funded by the Baltic Sea NGO programme of the Nordic Council of Ministers.