Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Australia
Delegate Name: Fiona Apraez
Committee: Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Country: Australia
Delegate: Fiona Apraez
Topic A: Indigenous Languages
Australia has no official languages, but English is the dominant language with 72% of the population speaking only English at home. Despite this dominance, Australia has more than 250 Indigenous languages, most of them originating from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Indigenous languages are an essential part of people’s cultural identity and heritage. Indigenous languages not only serve as a means of communications but are deeply tied to cultural identity, heritage, and history. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples highlights the right Indigenous communities to preserve and revive their languages. However, Australia recognizes that Indigenous communities alone cannot fully resolve the challenges of the diminishing languages without further institutional support.
Australia acknowledges the risk its own indigenous languages and is actively committed to revitalizing and increasing the usage of indigenous languages. The Australian government has already worked towards this goal as our Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) program, which funds over 150 community-led language initiatives. These community led programs play a critical role in preserving, reviving and maintaining the use of indigenous languages. We have also had participation in UNESCO’s Global task Force for Indigenous Languages. Though UNESCO’s objectives of focusing on addressing the critical risks confronting Indigenous languages, Australia believes these efforts will lead to an improved quality of life, strengthen understanding between different cultures, and keep indigenous traditions and languages alive. This demonstrates our commitment to the development of language preservation.
To address the threat of indigenous language loss, Australia proposes a global strategy centered on the creation and expansion of community-led programs. Community led programs would ensure accurate teaching of both the language and culture, allowing indigenous communities to be at the forefront in preserving their heritage. Another initiative is the integration of indigenous languages into educational material within technology. With technology’s wide reach, it has resources to connect with larger audiences of interested learners, creating more opportunities for education on an unprecedented scale. Through integrating indigenous voices and incorporating educational material into technology, Australia aims to expand the reach of indigenous languages and halt their depletion.
