The aim is to create a fair, just, and inclusive enabling environment that contributes to safeguarding and revitalising Indigenous Knowledge and Languages in Namibia in all aspects, recognising the value of cultural heritage, Indigenous Knowledge and Languages contributing to cultural diversity, sustainable development and the well-being of indigenous communities.
Challenges






Strategies
Create enabling policies and enhance resource allocation for implementation
Actions |
Actors |
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Establish Task force including of indigenous leaders and community representatives | Policy makers |
Conduct expedited consultations with stakeholders | |
Draft policy framework/policies and align with existing/review | |
Advocate for rapid policy adoption at national level | |
Implement educational policies on Indigenous language in primary schools | |
Prioritise policies related to Indigenous language and Indigenous knowledge, such as Indigenous knowledges policy, Indigenous language policy, access to traditional land and resources, free education for minorities (all). | Policy makers, Educational authorities Indigenous advocacy groups |
Create implementation plan and allocate sufficient resources | Ministries |
Monitor and evaluate policies | Ministries |
Develop intervention programmes to ensure access to resources for indigenous minority groups
Actions |
Actors |
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Reform land tenure models and access to natural resources as per traditional practices | |
Support infrastructural developments supporting traditional practices and commercialisations |
Provide multilingual government services
Actions |
Actors |
---|---|
Translate all government communications (print and digital) inclusive of policy drafts, white papers ,etc. for inclusion | Ministry |
Establish Indigenous language translation services | Ministry |
Promote Indigenous language AI systems development | Ministry, NCRST |
Establish ICT infrastructures to support national and community activities to revitalise and preserve Indigenous languages and Indigenous knowledge
Actions |
Actors |
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Develop national ICT framework to support Indigenous language and Indigenous knowledge preservation and use | |
Establish partnerships with private sector and ngo’s for implementation | |
Ensure indigenous community data sovereignty | |
Design and implement Indigenous language and Indigenous knowledge tools adhering to local ethics, values and protocols of indigenous communities | |
Promote the leveraging of emerging technologies to support revitalisation, use, preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages and Indigenous knowledge | Unesco chair for Digital technology design with indigenous people |
Foster partnerships between indigenous minority language communities and organisations/philanthropists to advance Indigenous languages and Indigenous knowledge projects
Actions |
Actors |
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Develop partnership models | |
Provide collaboration and networking platforms (digital, events) | |
Facilitate partnerships with national and international organisations | |
Support inter-community collaborations |
Create and enhance economic opportunities and equity for Indigenous languages and Indigenous knowledge workers
Actions |
Actors |
---|---|
Support community-led projects financial and with technical assistance | |
Support economic activities and businesses for Indigenous language and Indigenous knowledge workers, start-ups, | |
Ensure fair compensation for all Indigenous language and Indigenous knowledge workers (equitable compensation for cultural heritage workers, | |
Develop sustainable financial models for living museums and other community-led projects fostering Indigenous language and Indigenous knowledge | |
Strengthen community capacity and skills, including leadership, project management, and community development | |
Provide mentorship |