[E-rundbrief] Info 1883 - UN Day of Indigenous Peoples 9.8.19. Transforming Education

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief Info 1883 - UN DESA Voice: International Day of the 
World’s Indigenous Peoples 9.8.2019. Transforming Education.

Bad Ischl, 1.8.2019

Begegnungszentrum für aktive Gewaltlosigkeit

www.begegnungszentrum.at

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     UN DESA Voice
     August 2019
     Highlights

https://www.un.org/development/desa/undesavoice/highlights/2019/08#46068

Highlights Vol 23, No. 08 - August 2019

A day to celebrate indigenous languages of the world

“The health of our languages is connected to the health of the earth 
[…] We lose our connection and our ancient ways of knowing of the 
earth when our languages fall silent. […] for the sake of future 
generations, we must ensure they too can speak the language of our 
ancestors.”

On 1 February 2019, when the International Year of Indigenous 
Languages officially launched at the UN Headquarters in New York, 
Kanen’tó:kon Hemlock, Bear Clan Chief of the Mohawk Nation, in a 
moving speech, explained why indigenous languages matter. On 9 August, 
indigenous languages will once again hit the spotlight as the main 
theme of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

Of the approximately 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, 5,000 are 
estimated to be indigenous languages. With fewer and fewer speakers 
actively using them, around half of these languages are in danger of 
falling silent forever.

Indigenous languages are extensive and complex systems of knowledge, 
including knowledge of our environment. Protecting languages means 
protecting biodiversity, cultures and livelihoods. But despite their 
immeasurable value, many languages are disappearing at alarming rates 
due to forced relocation of indigenous communities, disadvantages in 
education, illiteracy, and poverty affecting indigenous peoples.

This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples will 
showcase not only challenges, but also opportunities and innovative 
solutions for preserving and developing these unique tongues. It will 
highlight the fundamental importance of implementing the UN 
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to save and strengthen 
indigenous languages, traditions, cultures and communities.

The main celebrations of the International Day will take place on 
Friday, 9 August from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm in the ECOSOC Chamber at 
United Nations Headquarters in New York. Indigenous experts and guest 
speakers will discuss the role of indigenous language and present 
creative initiatives for their promotion, preservation, and 
revitalization. The event will be broadcast live on UN Web TV.

Meanwhile, at the main lobby of the UN Headquarters, an innovation hub 
will open its doors to showcase some of the most innovative approaches 
that promote the knowledge and use of indigenous languages. The 
interactive exhibit will feature games, apps, interactive maps, videos 
and more 21st century tools for preserving centuries-old languages.
International Youth Day 2019 – Transforming Education

Exactly 20 years ago, the UN General Assembly decided that 12 August 
shall henceforth be celebrated every year as the International Youth 
Day. At a time when the world is increasingly looking to young people 
as leaders and as a moral compass on everything from climate action to 
peacebuilding, to education, celebrating their achievements and 
engagement is more important than ever.

Over the last 20 years, the International Youth Day has engaged 
hundreds of thousands of young people on solving some of the world’s 
most pressing problems. It has also helped to highlight the challenges 
that prevent young people from realizing their potential. Previous 
International Youth Days shone the spotlight on such themes as “Safe 
Spaces for Youth,” “Youth Building Peace” and “Mental Health Matters.” 
This year, the focus is on “Transforming Education.”

Transforming Education

Quality education that is inclusive and equitable is critical to 
preparing young people to be active, engaged citizens and learners 
throughout their lives. The International Youth Day will highlight the 
novel ways in which young people, youth-led organizations, governments 
and other partners are transforming education to achieve Goal 4 of the 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On the surface, we are making remarkable progress towards ensuring 
quality education for all. In 2010, 63 per cent of children of 
adequate age were receiving early childhood or primary education. By 
2016, that proportion grew to 70 per cent, meaning that millions more 
children were now going to school. But beneath these positive 
developments, a global learning crisis is lurking. According to the 
latest SDG Report compiled by UN DESA, 617 million children and 
adolescents – six out of every 10 – are not reaching minimum 
proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.

Access to education needs to be expanded to include youth in 
vulnerable situations, whether caused by conflicts, poverty, 
disability or other factors. Education must pursue equity by 
reflecting traditionally marginalized perspectives, including those of 
cultural diversity and gender equality.

We must also move beyond thinking of education through the narrow 
economic lens. It should serve a broader purpose of fostering 
intellectual curiosity and critical engagement with sustainable 
development challenges. The faster the world acts on these challenges, 
the better our shared future will be, as the impact of education will 
last for the entire lifetime of today’s young people.

How to celebrate International Youth Day 2019

The official commemoration of International Youth Day 2019 is hosted 
by UN DESA’s Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), in 
collaboration with UNESCO. The event will hone in on inclusive 
education as part of the overall theme. Ensuring inclusive education 
means fully including young people from vulnerable groups or in 
vulnerable situations.

The event will feature an online discussion with UN representatives, 
members of academia and young experts. It will be open to everyone 
willing to discuss the ways of achieving inclusive education.

For more information about the International Youth Day, please visit: 
http://bit.ly/UN-IYD19 and follow @UN4Youth on Facebook and Twitter.

Join the discussion by using #YouthDay

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     Matthias Reichl, Pressesprecher/ press speaker,
     Begegnungszentrum fuer aktive Gewaltlosigkeit
     Center for Encounter and active Non-Violence
     Wolfgangerstr. 26, 4820 Bad Ischl, Austria,
     fon: +43 6132 24590, Informationen/ informations,
     Impressum in: http://www.begegnungszentrum.at