During the period 2019–2020, the following five main intervention areas are envisaged in the Action Plan for the organization of the International Year and relevant initiatives will be launched. A list of initiatives is available below:
Increased understanding, reconciliation and international cooperation among different stakeholders through coordinated advocacy and awareness-raising programmes focused on upholding and reinforcing the human rights of indigenous language speakers, deploying necessary resources and robust data through national statistics institutions, in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international and national laws related to indigenous peoples and multilingualism, and other relevant normative instruments and strategies.
Date of event: from 27 to 28 February 2020, Los Pinos Cultural Complex, Mexico City, Mexico
UNESCO and the Government of Mexico, in cooperation with a range of national, regional and international partners, organized a High-level event “Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages”, that took place from 27 to 28 February 2020, on the margins of the International Congress on Languages at Risk from 25 to 26 February 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. Detailed analysis of the Year’s outcomes provided a solid basis for the prioritization, identification of future strategies and working modalities, securing the commitment of key stakeholders and necessary assured funding. The High-level event also generated a Los Pinos Declaration (Outcome Document) that presents the milestones of the elaboration of the future Global Action Plan for the International Decade.
Los Pinos Declaration in English, Spanish, French
Date of event: 17 December 2019, UN Headquarters, New York, United States of America
On Tuesday, 17 December 2019, the President of the UN General Assembly convened a High-Level Event to close the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages in New York, in line with General Assembly resolution 73/156. The event was organized in collaboration with UNESCO and UNDESA.
Dates of event: 4-6 December 2019, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
Within the framework of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, a three-days (4-6 December 2019) International Conference was organized in UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France. The event contributed towards the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all language users to access information and knowledge in languages that are best understood. It also aimed to encourage all relevant stakeholders to take concrete measures for the promotion of linguistic diversity, truly multilingual internet and language technologies, with special focus on indigenous languages.
Special event The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of CanadaDate of event: 18 November 2019, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
Within the framework of the International Year, the Communication and Information Sector of UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO hold a special event in the UNESCO Library (UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France) on Monday 18 November 2019 at 14.30 p.m.
The IYIL2019 aimed to draw attention to the critical loss of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and promote them, and to take further urgent steps at the national and international levels.
Delegates were invited to attend the donation ceremony, by which the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO provided a copy of the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, that was available for public consultation and use in the UNESCO Library.
In September 2019, UNESCO, in cooperation with La Poste (France), has launched the official stamp dedicated to the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages. The IYIL2019 stamp features the stand-alone logo of the International Year and aims to contribute to its promotion. It can be purchased in all post offices in France as well as online.
9 August 2019 – International Day of Indigenous PeoplesOn this special day dedicated to indigenous peoples, their human rights, languages, ancient histories, and rich cultures, several activities are taking place worldwide. UNESCO, as lead agency for the implementation of the international year, is launching a global social media campaign for the promotion of the day, including circulation of the Director General’s Message and launch of a dedicated video. Several Field Offices have organized relevant initiatives for the promotion, revitalization and support of indigenous languages, including Bangkok, Brasilia, Mexico City, Quito. A special commemorative event will take place at the United Nations HQ. Discover the global calendar of events on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples through the interactive map.
Side Event on IYIL2019 – UNPFII 2019Date of event: 23 April 2019, United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States of America
Some progress is being made on raising awareness on a critical loss of indigenous languages around the world, since the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Year of Indigenous Languages (Resolution A/RES/71/178) in 2016. The Action Plan for the organization of the International Year in 2018 called for a coherent approach and for collaborative action by all stakeholders to achieve maximal positive impact and social change. UNESCO, serving as the lead organization for the International Year, in cooperation with members of the Steering Committee for the organization of the International Year, organized a side event to review achievements of the first months of the year (quadrimester) and sharpen our discussions on immediate actions required and to be taken by all stakeholders for the implementation of the International Year. The side event was attended by the representatives of Member States, members of the UN Permanent Forum, indigenous peoples, research and civil society organizations, UN-system entities and other partners. Discussion led to new insights for participants on partnership opportunities, upcoming events and initiatives.
High Level Dialogue ‘ICT 4 ALL: Indigenous Languages Matter for Peace, Innovation and Development’, WSIS Forum 2019Date of event: 10 April 2019, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
The High Level Dialogue provided space for open consultations and encourage discourse on a shift of paradigm on the important role that indigenous languages could play towards sustainable development if ICTs are made accessible, inclusive and affordable for all, including indigenous language users. Indigenous languages are imbued with invaluable potential and universal knowledge that can be unlocked in order to contribute to development and innovation in domains such as education, science and research, culture, policy, industry and environment.
United Nations Postal Administration issues World Languages’ stamps to commemorate the International Mother Language Day21 February 2019
In observance of the International Mother Language Day, the United Nations Postal Administration, (UNPA) issued three mini-sheets of six stamps to honour the world’s languages. The stamps sheets feature greetings in 41 languages; they were designed by Sergio Baradat (United Nations).
International Mother Language DayDate of event: 21 February 2019
The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since 2000. UNESCO believes in the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies.
UN General Assembly Launch Event of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous LanguagesDate of event: 1st February 2019, United Nations, New-York, USA
The President of the United Nations General Assembly convened a High-Level meeting of the General Assembly to launch the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages. The meeting took place on 1 February 2019, in the General Assembly Hall.
Date of event: 28 January 2019, UNESCO House, Paris, France
This official launch event is co-organized by UNESCO, UNDESA, and the members of Steering Committee for the organization of the International Year, as well as with the participation of other relevant stakeholders. Under the theme “Indigenous languages matter for sustainable development, peace building and reconciliation”, the event gathered high-level governmental officials, indigenous peoples, civil society, academia, media, information and memory organizations, United Nations agencies, public language harmonization and documentation institutions and private sector bodies.
Delivered support, through the development of improved tools, contents and services, towards the sharing and enhancement of information, research and understanding about indigenous languages, conditional upon the involvement and active participation of the holders of such languages and knowledge, and additionally stimulated collaboration between relevant stakeholders in monitoring progress across all relevant fields, facilitated through improved data collection and evaluation.
First UNESCO Bulletin on Indigenous Peoples and the COVID-19 pandemic