The United Nations General Assembly has declared the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to draw attention to the critical status of many Indigenous languages across the world and encourage action for their preservation, revitalization and promotion.
Following on from the International Year of Indigenous Languages in 2019 that sought to raise awareness of the crucial role languages play in people's daily lives, the United Nations has designated the period 2022 to 2023 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (the International Decade).
Australia is a member of the UNESCO Global Task Force for Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages as one of three UNESCO Member States from the Asia and Pacific region. First Languages Australia, Australia's peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, are also representatives on the Global Task Force as one of three Indigenous people's organisations for the Pacific.
All of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are under threat and require ongoing work to be maintained. Australia's approach to the International Decade is guided by the principle of 'nothing for us- without us' as we undertake a decade of activities to stop the loss of First Nations languages.
Across Australia a range of programs are currently in place to support First Nations languages including the Australian Government's Indigenous Languages and Arts program. The program supports community-led language programs delivered by a network of Indigenous language centres across Australia. The centres deliver essential work to preserve, revive and maintain over 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. A range of First Nations language and arts projects are also supported through annual funding.
The Australian Government's participation in the International Decade will embed a best-practice approach to working in partnership with First Nations people to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, consistent with Priority Reform one in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (formal partnerships and shared decision making).
The Office for the Arts has established the International Decade of Indigenous Languages Directions Group who has worked in partnership with the Australian Government to develop Voices of Country—Australia's National Action Plan for the International Decade. Voices of Country, launched in August 2023, will guide Australia's ongoing participation in the International Decade.
For more
- Voices of Country: Australia's National Action Plan for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages
- International Decade of Indigenous Languages—First Languages Australia
- National Agreement on Closing the Gap | Closing the Gap
- UNESCO International Decade Website
- Logo page
- Directions Group page
- Indigenous language centres
- National Indigenous Languages Report
- AIATSIS
The Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connections to land, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Elders past, present and future.
