The United Nations General Assembly has declared the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to draw attention to the critical status of many Indigenous languages across the world and encourage action for their preservation, revitalization and promotion.

2022–2032 International Decade of Indigenous Languages logo.

Rolling on from the success of the International Year of Indigenous Languages in 2019 in raising awareness of the crucial role languages play in people's daily lives, the United Nations has designated the period 2022 to 2023 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

All of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are under threat and require ongoing work to be maintained.

Across Australia a range of programs are currently in place to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages including the Australian Government's Indigenous Languages and Arts program. The program supports community-led language programs delivered by a network of Indigenous language centres across Australia. The centres deliver essential work to preserve, revive and maintain over 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. A range of language and arts projects are also supported through annual funding.

The Australian Government's participation in the International Decade will embed a best-practice approach to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, consistent with Priority Reform one in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (formal partnerships and shared decision making).

The Office for the Arts  recently asked for for Expressions of Interest  fromAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to create a new International Decade of Indigenous Languages Directions Group. The Directions Group will work in partnership with the Australian Government to develop initiatives for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Expressions of Interest have now closed and members will be announced shortly.

For more information on the Directions Group, visit the International Decade of Indigenous Languages Directions Group webpage.

The Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connections to land, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Elders past, present and future.

For more:

Australian Government IY2019 Action Plan
Indigenous language centres
National Indigenous Languages Report
AIATSIS
UNESCO International Decade Website

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