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Global Task Force

For the organization of the International Decade, UNESCO established a Global Task Force for Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages. The Global Task Force  ensures that the principles of inclusion, openness, participation and multi-stakeholder engagement are respected and applied throughout the International Decade. 

Mandate of the Global Task Force 

As an international governance mechanism, the Global Task Force is established to ensure the equitable participation of all stakeholders in the IDIL2022-2032, and to provide guidance on the preparation, planning, implementation and monitoring of activities, in line with the objectives of the Global Action Plan of the IDIL2022-2032.The structure of the Global Task Force includes:  

Steering Commitee and Advisors

 Steering Committee (19 members) 

The members of the Steering Committee of the Global Task Force are appointed for one-year period, and proceed to serve two years on the advisory group, based on a principle of rotation.  

The Steering Committee of the Global Task Force is composed of 19 members, of which two Co-chairs represent UNESCO Member States, and two Co-chairs represent Indigenous Peoples’ organizations. Overall, its members include: 

  • UNESCO Member States (1 per electoral group – 6 members);  
  • Leaders and representatives of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations from the seven socio-cultural regions (7); 
  • Designated members: Representatives from the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (3); 
  • Representatives from UN-system entities, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), and the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR). 

 

List Members March 2023

 

Advisors 

The Advisors to the Steering Committee comprise a minimum of 30 members, including: 

  • UNESCO Member States (2 per electoral group – 12 members);  
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations from seven sociocultural regions (2 per region – 14 members);  
  • Designated members: Representatives from the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2), the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2), and, if nominated, other Special Rapporteurs holding mandates relevant to the subject area, and UN system entities having responded to UNESCO’s invitation addressed to the members of the UN Inter-agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues. 

Ad-hoc Groups

Ad hoc groups

Ad hoc groups may be established by UNESCO, in cooperation with the members of the Global Task Force, to focus on various subjects and provide advice on specific aspects of the implementation of the action plan.

 

Nomination process

In October 2020, UNESCO issued official letters addressed to the Chairs of UNESCO Electoral Groups of UNESCO Member States to nominate three countries from the region to the Global Task Force. Another Open Call was addressed to all Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations working on the protection, revitalization and promotion of Indigenous languages, inviting them to nominate their regional representatives to the Global Task Force for Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages. The UN Indigenous mechanisms (UNPFII, EMRIP and the Special Rapporteur of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) were also invited to nominate their representatives to the Global Task Force. The Global Task Force is established for a three-year period and the rotation principle is applicable for the members of the Steering Committee and the Advisory Group (one year in the Steering Committee and two years in the Advisory Group).