Open Consultations - 2019 Year of Indigenous Languages

UNPFII Sixteenth Session 24 April to 5 May 2017
UN Headquarters, New York

Special Theme :
“Tenth Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: measures taken to implement the Declaration”

UNESCO Side Event:
Open Consultations - 2019 Year of Indigenous Languages
3 May 2017, UN Headquarters
10.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.
Conference Room B

On 21 October 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution A/c.3/71/L.17 on “Rights of Indigenous peoples” proclaiming 2019 the Year of Indigenous Languages. UNESCO will serve as the lead organization for the International Year of Indigenous Languages beginning on 1st January 2019.

UNESCO therefore aims is to hold open consultations with a variety of stakeholders attending the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The results of open consultations will be utilized for the development of the Plan of Action of the 2019 Year. Furthermore, it will help to identify partners involving indigenous groups from all regions of the world and create a calendar of events that could be integrated into the celebration of the Year. The Plan of Action will be used in order to explore fundraising and partnership opportunities.

Linguistic diversity is one of the essential conditions for building inclusive knowledge societies, where all people have the capabilities to acquire information, transform it into knowledge, understanding and meaningful goals and which empower them to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the cultural, social and economic development of their societies. Linguistic diversity is a key contributor to intercultural dialogue, reconciliation, tolerance and peace.

Indigenous languages are also a significant factor in a wide range of indigenous issues, ranging from education, science and technological development, and employment to the environment as well as many others; as a result, indigenous languages matter for development. This makes the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development an ideal framework within which to situate the 2019 Year of Indigenous Languages.