Philippine Conference on Indigenous Languages: A Response to the International Decade on Indigenous Languages (2022-2032)
October 25-27, 2022, University of the Philippines-Diliman,
Quezon City, Philippines
1. Rationale
The International Decade on Indigenous Languages (IDIL) Global Action Plan in pursuit of the goal of “leaving no one behind, no one outside” by 2032 has called on UN-system entities, governments, Indigenous Peoples’ institutions and organizations, including communities at the grassroots, broader civil society, academia, the private sector, and other stakeholders to achieve the major objectives of the Decade. This conference is a response of indigenous peoples’ organizations in the Philippines and partners to this call to action. The meeting’s theme is: SUSTAINING THE GAINS AND MAPPING THE COURSE FOR INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSIVITY.
2. Organizers
Spearheading this activity is the Tebtebba Foundation, an indigenous peoples’ organization based in Baguio City, Philippines. It is a research, education and policy advocacy and resource center working with indigenous peoples at all levels. It seeks the recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights and aspirations while building unions to uphold social and environmental justice and sustainability.
3. Objectives
The objectives of this meeting are: (a) to raise and deepen awareness of participants on the goals and objectives of IDIL; (b) to exchange information on the current state of the indigenous languages of the Philippines and the extent of their use in education and official functions; (c) to draw concrete plans, in the short- and long-term, in pursuit of the global plan, which shall include a country declaration to be shared with UNESCO and other relevant bodies; (d) to promote cooperation, forge linkages and form a preparatory committee that can oversee the enrichment and implementation of those plans; and e) to document, consolidate and publish the proceedings of this conference.
4. Invited Stakeholders
To be invited to this meeting are the following: (a) Indigenous peoples’ organizations and networks; (b) Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education, especially those involved in IPED education; (c) UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM); (d) National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); (e) National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); (f) Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF); (g) academic institutions with programs catering to indigenous peoples; and (h) NGOs.
5. Date and Venue
The meeting shall be held under both in-person and virtual modes at the University of the Philippines in Diliman on October 25-27, 2022.
6. A call for papers/presentations is hereby issued with the following stipulations. Paper abstracts (not exceeding 300 words) shall be accepted until September 7, 2022 on the following general topics: (a) inclusive education, literacy and L1 based MLE; (b) oral and written indigenous literature including visual art, music and dance; (c) individual grammars of indigenous languages in the Philippines; (d) language endangerment and revitalization; (e) good practices in materials development and pedagogy (e.g. demonstration lessons); and (f) language documentation. Notifications of acceptance or non-acceptance of abstracts shall be issued on September 15, 2022. The deadline for submission of full papers/demonstration lessons shall be on October 1, 2022. In-person or virtual mode presentations shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes each.
7. Queries and submissions can be made at email addresses This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, please visit the Tebtebba Foundation website.
