Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Eddie Wuerthele
Indigenous languages have always been a core aspect of culture around the globe. Over 4,000 languages have been spoken by more than 370 million indigenous peoples. However, indigenous languages are on the decline. According to UNESCO, 40% of languages are endangered, with that number continuing to rise. Due to this, the United Nations have declared the matter of indigenous languages to be of great importance. 2019 was declared the International Year of Indigenous Languages. There were conferences, cultural events, and campaigns all with the goal of persuading governments to prioritize indigenous languages. Beyond this, Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states “Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures…”.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela acknowledges the need to confront this matter, as their cultural identity has been severely affected by the decline of indigenous languages. There are around 40 indigenous languages spoken by 1.5% of the population. Approximately 50% of those languages are critically endangered, which negatively impacts Venezuelan linguistic diversity and creative expression. In response, Venezuela has consistently advocated for the protection of indigenous languages. Over the years, Venezuela has been a member of numerous groups including the Organization of American States, International Labour Organization, Union of South American Nations, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. All of these have dealt with the matter of indigenous language decline and Venezuela continues to support them, particularly the UNASUR.
When dealing with this issue, the delegation of Venezuela calls upon other delegations to have funding at the forefront of their minds. While Venezuela was a signatory of ILO Convention No. 169, which recognizes indigenous peoples and respects their languages, it has been unable to ratify it due to economic and developmental concerns, such as hyperinflation and a decreased GDP. Venezuela has also been unable to put their 2007 Law of Indigenous Languages, which will increase educational programs and publish indigenous language media, into effect for the same reasons. In order to preserve and promote indigenous languages, aid needs to be sent towards nations in need. Venezuela, keeping national sovereignty mind, recommends that with funding, this problem can be fixed through national efforts, not international efforts, therefore to not put pressure on other nations. However, the delegation of Venezuela has an open mind when dealing with this situation and is willing to work with other delegations.
