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Addressee: Member States
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The Permanent Forum calls on States to immediately support indigenous peoples’ language revitalization efforts. This includes supporting the master apprentice programmes and assessment of language status, and the creation of increased links between formal schools and the family so that there is a continuous use of indigenous languages.
Responses
The Government of Mexico reports: 19. The National Institute of Indigenous Languages (INALI) has worked on the different problems related to the recognition and effective enjoyment of the linguistic rights of indigenous peoples. It sees as positive developments the constitutional recognition of Mexico’s multicultural character and the mention of the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination; the guarantee that the members of indigenous peoples and communities can preserve and enrich their languages, knowledge and all the elements that comprise their culture and identity, and the reforms to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure; and the passing of the General Act on the Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which resulted in the creation of INALI and of state institutes for indigenous languages.
20. The Institute faces the challenge of carrying out the process of establishing linguistic standardization and the creation of programmes to certify and accredit bilingual technicians and professionals, who are needed to ensure full access to justice and other State services.
21. Similarly, the Coordinating Office for Intercultural Bilingual Education, the General Directorate for Indigenous Education, the National Education Promotion Council and the National Institute for Adult Education of the Ministry of Public Education and INALI have worked on revising indigenous education processes and producing educational and teaching materials in order to arrive at a more suitable model for primary, middle and higher indigenous education.
The Government of Spain reports that its Strategy for Cooperation with Indigenous Peoples recognizes and works towards the implementation of intercultural bilingual education.
The Government of Colombia reportson a series of laws and programmes of relevance to the protection of indigenous languages, including a sociolinguistic diagnostic of Colombia, and initiatives on intercultural bilingual education.
The Government of Nicaragua reports on efforts to promote intercultural bilingual education in the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast. Nicaragua also reports that it is preparing documentation for UNESCO to consider the Rama People Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in order to help preserve their language and culture.
Final Report of UNPFII Session 7 (2008)
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