January 11, 2022

Aotearoa kicks off languages decade

Vanessa Bidois Posted On January 11, 2022

LOGO: IDIL2022-2032

Aotearoa – New Zealand is taking a lead role in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages which kicked off on 1 January 2022.

Māori have a unique opportunity to collaborate in a global action plan for the usage, preservation, revitalisation and promotion of indigenous languages.

The United Nations has proclaimed the 10 years between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

The aim is to draw global attention to the critical situation of many indigenous languages and to mobilise stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalisation and promotion.

The proclamation of an international decade is a key outcome of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages for which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) led global efforts.

UNESCO will continue to serve as the lead UN agency for the implementation of the international decade in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and other relevant UN agencies.

The online platform of IDIL2022-2032 aims to build a global community for indigenous languages and facilitate information-sharing on activities and events organised all over the world.

It will also promote relevant resources and tools, report and monitor progress made, and create new opportunities for exchange and dialogue among a wide network of stakeholders.

Aotearoa – New Zealand is taking a lead role in IDIL2022-2032 which kicked off on 1 January 2022.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori chair Rawinia Higgins is a member of the Global Task Force for Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages which is working on an action plan.

The Māori Language Commission is encouraging all Māori to think about how they can participate in and promote IDIL2022-2032.

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