Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Rousseau Mamo
Like many other nations around the globe, the Republic of the Philippines is home to a plethora of indigenous languages that are prominent within the country. Many native languages are threatened by land displacement, land distribution, and land usage by the government, and other industries. In more detail, growing industries and technologies create a need for expansion and urban growth, this then displaces native people from their homes. When native people are displaced from their homes, they lose pieces of their culture, and they become further distant from their culture and language. Other nations are currently losing their native connections and heritage because of the neglect that these cultures face.
The Philippines has always been a diverse hub for language, race, religion, and culture. The Philippines’ population consists of 20% native people, and many protections have been put in place to preserve and protect these unique and valuable cultures. One of said protections is The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, which created national protections for land preservations and freedom of culture. As of now, 35 indigenous languages are endangered, and 11 are close to extinction. Indigenous languages like Arta, spoken in the north of the Philippines, have less than 5 speakers, and the same with Ata, another indigenous language. Filipino, one of the Philippines official languages, is one of the largest thriving languages based off of an indigenous language, Tagalog. In the Philippines, most people have native roots, and without the proper preservation of indigenous languages and cultures, Fillipinos could lose part of their cultural identity and individuality. The Philippines is a nation that will fight to protect its diverse indigenous cultures. Therefore, the Republic of the Philippines is for the protections and actions that save and preserve indigenous languages.
The Philippines wants to pass resolutions that will provide protections for native lands, freedom of religion, and the education of native cultures and people. Making federal protections for native lands would combat the displacement of indigenous people, this then helps with the connection to culture. Education is also an issue in the Philippines, and by creating systems where the future generations can learn about different cultures, and remove the ignorance of endangered indigenous languages, we can help preserve said languages.
Works Cited:
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PoliLingua. “Official, National, and Native Languages of the Philippines | Translations of Philippines Languages.” Www.polilingua.com, 21 Aug. 2023, www.polilingua.com/blog/post/official-national-native-languages-of-philippines-translation.htm.
Poole, Gregory. “Indigenous Languages – GLICA.org.” Glica.org, 4 Sept. 2024, glica.org/glimun/committees/indigenous-languages/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
Saliga, Romeo. “Full Recognition for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Philippines | International IDEA.” Www.idea.int, 30 Nov. 2023, www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/full-recognition-indigenous-peoples-rights-philippines.
“The Role of International Labour Organization in the Promotion and Protection of Indigenous Languages.” Un.org, 10 Jan. 2008, www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/EGM_IL_Flores.doc.
