Draft Namibian National Action Plan for International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Empower Indigenous languages and knowledge systems
We are in the process of co-creating the national action plan, please get involved and provide us with feedback.
Objective
This platform serves to share information on initiatives, activities, and stakeholders contributing to the promotion, revitalization, and preservation of indigenous languages and knowledge in Namibia. This platform invites the involvement of all in a national dialogue on the safeguarding of Namibian Indigenous Languages and contributions to scientific knowledge, under the auspices of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
This platform further encourages partnerships between local communities and stakeholders to address national priorities, action policy development, and ensure inclusion of indigenous knowledge into global climate science, among others.
International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032)
The United Nations General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/74/135) proclaimed the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, to draw global attention on the critical situation of many indigenous languages and to mobilize stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalization and promotion. The decade has been outlined by a Global Action Plan that member states are encouraged to adopt to their local contexts in form of a National Action Plan. UNESCO through the Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems programme supports member states to strengthen the dialogue between indigenous and scientific knowledge holders while promoting local and indigenous knowledge and its inclusion in global climate science and policy processes. LINKS supports the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in multilateral mechanisms, such as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
The Namibian National Action Plan in the making….
In Namibia, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, through the Division of Marginalised Communities, is committed to improving the well-being of marginalised indigenous communities, through focused and dedicated socio-economic programmes which also entail the promotion and revitalization of endangered indigenous languages. A taskforce has been established to facilitate the development of the Namibian National Action Plan for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (NNAP–IDIL) through stakeholder engagements, which brings together representatives of indigenous communities, organisations and stakeholders dealing with indigenous issues, to stimulate an intercultural dialogue, while aligning efforts to elaborate on and establish national mechanisms that encourage an integrated and inclusive approach. The NNAP-IDIL address how to safeguard Namibia’s indigenous languages and knowledge systems, aligned with national and indigenous people’s priorities, suggesting relevant action and activities, building on existing and new partnerships. It has been paramount that Indigenous language community members take on ownership in the development of the national plan as well as lead initiatives thereof contributing to the agreed outcomes in cooperation with relevant public and private partners and national governmental agencies.
Activities and Events
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge of Astronomy into Responsible Astro Tourism Development.
Abstract: Indigenous peoples worldwide have observed and theorized about the night sky since ancient times, developing knowledge systems that reveal complex relationships between celestial phenomena, ecological cycles, and cultural identity. Passed orally through generations, these insights offer alternative
observations to the scientific domain, enriching our collective understanding of the cosmos and the interconnectedness of life. Today, such knowledge continues to guide agricultural practices, migrations, community rituals, spiritual beliefs, and self-worth & identity. The San community living in Namibia has a rich indigenous knowledge coming from above, the sky, the moon, and the stars. Indigenous communities in Namibia still experience stigmatization and are often referred to as marginalized
communities. They have suffered exploitation over several centuries and currently face significant challenges related to poverty, land insecurity, and unemployment.
