About the IDIL2022-2032

Rationale of the IDIL2022-2032

International Decades are important cooperation mechanisms dedicated to raising awareness on a particular topic or theme of global interest or concern and mobilizing different players for coordinated action around the world.

Following the 2016 Resolution 71/178 on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in 2019, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming the period of 2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, based on a recommendation by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The proclamation of the IDIL2022-2032 is a key outcome of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL2019).

In 2016, the Permanent Forum stated that 40 per cent of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken around the world were in danger of disappearing. The fact that most of these are Indigenous languages puts the cultures and knowledge systems to which they belong at risk.

In addition to this, Indigenous peoples are often isolated both politically and socially in their countries of residence by virtue of geographical remoteness or historical, cultural, and linguistic inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the marginalization of Indigenous peoples around the world, having a negative impact on the world’s linguistic diversity.

Indigenous peoples are not only leaders in protecting the environment, but their languages represent complex systems of knowledge and communication and should therefore be recognized as a strategic national resource for sustainable development, peacebuilding and reconciliation.

Indigenous languages also promote local cultures, customs and values which have endured for thousands of years. Indigenous languages add to the rich tapestry of global cultural diversity. Without them, the world would be a poorer place.

The IDIL2022-2032 will help promote and protect Indigenous languages and improve the lives of those who speak and sign them and will contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Global Call for Action

The Global Action Plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages provides a strategic framework, outlines major actions, and guides the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities for UN-system entities, national governments, Indigenous peoples’ organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

The Global Action Plan calls for a coherent approach and for joint collaborative action on the part of all stakeholders to achieve maximal positive impact and social change with respect to Indigenous languages and those who speak and sign them.

The Global Action Plan is structured around four main parts, in addition to technical annexes:

The Introduction provides background information on the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism for societal development and draws attention to the critical situation of Indigenous languages around the world. It also provides a rationale for undertaking immediate action to preserve, revitalize and promote Indigenous languages.
The second section outlines the Theory of Change that defines the vision and impact statements for the International Decade and provides a methodology for all involved stakeholders to guide their participation, as well as their planning, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring processes during the International Decade. This section also presents activities, outputs and outcomes, and highlights linkages with other global development frameworks.
The third section presents the Implementation Framework, including the multi-stakeholder partnership mechanism, timeframe, key milestones, as well as governance and coordination frameworks for the International Decade. It also introduces other strategic frameworks developed to support the implementation of the Global Action Plan, namely a Resource Mobilization Strategy and a Global Communication Strategy.
The fourth section is focused on Monitoring and Evaluation and provides a set of measures to support the continuous assessment of the progress made.
The technical annexes include lists of used terms, key documents, a roadmap towards the Global Action Plan, and a summary table of the theory of change.

Global Action Plan

See the abridged version of the Global Action Plan

National Action Plans

Governance

UNESCO

Global Task Force

Partnerships

Benefits of supporting the IDIL2022-2032

By becoming partners of the IDIL2022-2032, stakeholders, including governments, public organizations, academia, UN-system entities and other intergovernmental organizations, as well as the private sector, Indigenous people’s organizations, civil society, and the media, will not only contribute to the success of an important cause, but also enjoy the benefits of being a part of an initiative that reaches a worldwide audience.

Partners can choose to collaborate with UNESCO and each other, and engage with international, national or local Indigenous groups, Indigenous peoples, media and other actors.

You can contribute to the success of the IDIL2022-2032

Actions taken during the IDIL2022-2032 are intended to focus global attention on the critical risks confronting Indigenous languages and help improve both their linguistic status and the lives of those who speak and sign them.

How to partner

Co-organize cultural, information sharing and promotional events in the context of the IDIL2022-2032
Sponsor official events, activities and projects
Provide know-how, human resources, equipment, tools and other facilities in support of the IDIL2022-2032
Promote the IDIL2022-2032 through your communication channels and activities

Why support the IDIL2022-2032

Through engaging in the International Decade, partners from the public and private sectors will benefit from worldwide visibility and association with the values of the United Nations in a truly global initiative, offering unique networking opportunities including:

Being involved in a multi-stakeholder partnership global initiative and being a part of the Global Agenda
Contributing to positive social change through knowledge, expertise and corporate solutions
Gaining privileged and customized access to UNESCO’s knowledge resources, expert analysis and global networks
Supporting society through your organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme
Profiling your best practices, promoting your engagement and commitment, and raising your international profile

Creating strategic business alliances with other partner private and public entities and networking with influencers across all sectors of society
Enhancing your visibility on the international scene and providing opportunities for expanded markets and greater economic return

Enhancing your visibility on the international scene and providing opportunities for expanded markets and greater economic return

Register your expression of interest

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Key documents of the IDIL2022-2032

Global Action Plan for the IDIL2022-2032

The Global Action Plan is available Here

The Global Action Plan aims to ensure international cooperation and coordinated action among multiple stakeholders. It provides stakeholders with a strategic framework, outlining major actions and guidelines for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities.

The Global Action Plan builds on the outcomes of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, specifically the Strategic Outcome Document (UNESCO General Conference 40/68); the Los Pinos Declaration [Chapoltepek] – Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages, the Evaluation of UNESCO’s Action to revitalize and promote indigenous languages within the framework of the International Year of Indigenous Languages (UNESCO, 2021 IOS/EVS/PI/194), and consultations carried out in cooperation with Indigenous peoples, Member States, academia, civil society, other public and private partners, and UN system entities.

The finalized version of the Global Action Plan was submitted to the 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference.

Rationale of the IDIL2022-2032

Links

UN proclamation of IDIL2022-2032 (A/RES/74/135)

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)

UNESCO Indigenous Peoples

Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger

UNESCO Linguistic diversity and multilingualism on Internet

Inter-Agency Support Group (IASG) on Indigenous Issues

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

UN Sustainable Development Goals