Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Estonia
Delegate Name: Tejas Karumudi
Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Indigenous Languages and Human Trafficking
Republic of Estonia
Tejas Karumudi
Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic A: Indigenous Languages:
There are over 6700 languages that are spoken by humans across the world. Many of the 6700 languages spoken around the worldthese Indigenous languages are rarely heard due to a low amount of people communicating in the language, but these languages survived. However, in the 21st century, Indigenous languages are disappearing rapidly with zero speakers. Due to globalization, assimilation policies, and the popularity of global languages like English, little some indigenous languages are now passed down to younger generations. Estimates predict that by the year 2100, more than half of the world’s spoken languages will become extinct. Also, estimates suggest that one indigenous language dies every two weeks. Indigenous languages are mediums for communication and storage for complex knowledge of distinct cultures and environments. Therefore, if indigenous languages disappear, indigenous groups will also disappear. This disappearance restricts scientists and researchers from discovering medicines and other benefits in rainforests because indigenous knowledge of plants and animals will disappear along with the indigenous languages. Disappearance of indigenous languages will also lead to lower cultural diversity, decreasing. This will decrease cultural tourism, which is a major contributor to the economies of some nations. In response to the extinction of Indigenous languages, the United Nations established the United Nations Permanent Forum, which deals with matters related to Indigenous groups and their cultures. The United Nations Permanent Forum recommended governmental initiatives that would introduce Indigenous languages in public administration. In addition, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, suggested the use of indigenous languages in education and training as a way to ensure equal access for indigenous peoples. The United Nations General Assembly also declared 2019 as the International Year for Indigenous Languages to highlight the critical situations of Indigenous languages.
Estonia is determined to protect its indigenous language, Estonian, and related dialects of Estonian. Estonia is willing to work with the United Nations and other countries to promote the usage of indigenous languages. Estonia has multiple languages such as Võro, Seto, and Sõrve, and has multiple dialects such as Tartu. On April 15, 2023, The Council of Estonia’s Indigenous Languages, a cooperation and advocacy group with representatives from different ethnic groups in Estonia, held a seminar in Setomaa in southeastern Estonia to exchange solutions for revitalizing traditional languages. In October 2023, Estonia also held the Conference on Indigenous Languages in Setomaa to discuss issues related to the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Languages. Furthermore, in 2022, Estonia created plans to host several events that were connected to UNESCO’s language-revitalizing activities. Estonia participated in the UN Working Group on a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous people, Estonia sent experts to represent Estonia in the UN Forum of Indigenous Peoples, Estonia supported voluntary UN funds for Indigenous Peoples, and financially contributed to the UN General Assembly’s hosting of the International Year of Indigenous Languages in 2019. The Republic of Estonia is also willing to financially and politically support any country that desires to preserve its indigenous languages. Estonia is proud of its diversity and is concerned about the endangerment of Finno-Ugric languages in Russia. Being a former territory of Russia, Estonia understands Russia’s hostility towards ethnic groups that are not Russian. Being a developed country with a high GDP, Estonia does not need help reinvigorating its indigenous languages, but Estonia desires the support of the UN and the cooperation of other countries to fortify Finno-Ugric languages in Russia.
In conclusion, the Republic of Estonia has always respected its indigenous languages and cherished its cultural diversity. The Republic of Estonia encourages other countries to work with Estonia to execute the UN Forum of Indigenous Peoples and encourages other countries to take pride in their indigenous cultures. The Republic of Estonia advises other countries to recognize and protect their indigenous languages, such as introducing indigenous language education in schools and creating social programs to spread awareness of indigenous cultures. The Republic of Estonia is willing to donate the necessary resources and funds for the UN to continue its work on restoring indigenous cultures.
Works Cited
admin. “Indigenous Languages in Estonia – RISE UP.” RISE UP, 12 May 2023, www.riseupproject.eu/indigenous-languages-in-estonia/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
“Protecting and Promoting Respect for Human Rights – Estonia in UN.” Un.mfa.ee, un.mfa.ee/estonia-and-un/protecting-and-promoting-respect-for-human-rights/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024
“Statement by Estonia at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, on 27. April – Estonia in UN.” Un.mfa.ee, 27 Apr. 2022, un.mfa.ee/statement-by-estonia-at-the-un-permanent-forum-on-indigenous-issues-on-27-april/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
United Nations. Indigenous Languages Language Rights of Indigenous Peoples. UN Department of Public Information, 19 Apr. 2018, www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/04/Indigenous-Languages.pdf. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024
