联合国教科文组织、中国教育部、中国联合国教科文组织全国委员会、国家语言文字工作委员会、湖南省人民政府于2018年9月19日至20日在湖南长沙共同举办了“语言多样性对于构建人类命运共同体的作用：语言资源保护、应用和推广”国际会议（即“首届世界语言资源保护大会”），来自世界各地的参会者代表政府，国家语言文字管理部门，学术界，公共部门或私人机构，以及濒危语言、少数民族语言、土著语言、非官方语言和方言使用者宣布通过了《岳麓宣言》。
2019年1月16日，联合国教科文组织官网正式发布《保护和促进世界语言多样性岳麓宣言》，并配发新闻。
联合国教科文组织致力于保护和促进语言多样性
“语言多样性对于构建人类命运共同体的作用：语言资源保护、应用和推广”国际会议于2018年9月在中国长沙举办。来自世界各地的参会者代表政府，国家语言文字管理部门，学术界，公共部门或私人机构，濒危语言、少数民族语言、土著语言、非官方语言以及方言使用者宣布通过《岳麓宣言》。
宣言指出，保护和促进语言多样性对于可持续发展目标的实现至关重要，有助于促进人类发展。因为保护语言多样性的本质是保障各语言使用者在教育及其他基本的公共服务、就业、健康、社会融入、参与社会决策等方面机会均等。
此外，在这次重要的国际会议上，参会者们强调了保护和促进语言多样性需要国际社会各方面积极作为、切实有效参与其中。宣言倡议联合国教科文组织及其他联合国机构应充分调动一切可利用的资源，切实承担起倡议、引领、促进、普及、保护世界语言多样性的重要职责。鼓励各成员国制定健全的语言政策和语言资源管理运营机制；鼓励国家语言文字管理部门、学术界、非政府组织、公共和私人机构以及个人通过科研、媒体、课程、艺术、文化产品和信息通信技术等多种方式保护和促进语言多样性。
最后，宣言强调保护和促进语言多样性应当与科技发展相结合。通过人工智能、信息通讯等技术推动语言文化的创造性转化、创新性发展和有效传播，积极研发语言数据采集分析工具。此举将促进联合国教科文组织“世界语言地图”项目的建设。
教育部部长陈宝生在世界语言资源保护大会闭幕式上讲话
闭幕式上，《岳麓宣言》起草组组长爱尔莎女士介绍宣言内容时落下了动情的泪水
闭幕式后，教育部语信司司长田立新与UNESCO项目专家布卡伊商谈《岳麓宣言》后续发布事宜。
中国社会科学院语言研究所所长、时任全国汉语方言学会会长刘丹青研究员参加了本次会议，并做了题为“差别化政策是语言保护工作的迫切要务”的发言。
第一次全体会议上，中国语言资源保护研究中心主任曹志耘与UNESCO项目专家布卡伊介绍《岳麓宣言》起草方案
保护和促进世界语言多样性岳麓宣言
世界语言资源保护大会2018年9月19–21日，中国长沙
引言
我们生活在不同语言、文化、种族、宗教和不同社会制度所组成的世界里，形成了你中有我、我中有你的命运共同体。语言是促进人类发展、对话、和解、包容与和平的重要前提之一。
人们需要通过语言与他人沟通，并且通过语言将知识、观念、信仰和传统代代相传，这对于人类的生存、自尊、幸福、发展以及和平共处必不可少。我们认识到，在代代相传的历程中，儿童时期的语言学习效果最佳。
同时，语言还是文化的基本特征之一，是记录并传承一个族群、一个地区乃至世界独特文化的主要载体，它有助于人们通过共享的行为模式、互动方式、认知结构和理解方式来交流并构建人类命运共同体。语言记录了人类千百年来积累的传统知识和实践经验。这一知识宝库促进人类发展，见证了人类改造自然和适应环境的能力。
来自世界各地的参会者代表政府，国家语言文字管理部门，学术界，文化、信息和记忆组织，公共部门或私人机构，濒危语言、少数民族语言、土著语言、非官方语言以及方言使用者，其他有关专家于2018年9月19-20日在中国长沙共同出席了世界语言资源保护大会，并且通过本宣言。本宣言：
遵守《世界人权宣言》（1948）提到的各项人权和基本自由，以及其他国际公认的法律文件。
回顾联合国教科文组织组织法序言里申明的：“战争起源于人之思想，故务需于人之思想中筑起保卫和平之屏障。”（1945年11月16日），重申联合国教科文组织是一个积极促进语言多样性和多语主义的联合国系统机构。
基于其他支持语言权利的国际人权文件，包括：《消除一切形式种族歧视国际公约》（1965）、《经济、社会及文化权利国际公约》（1966）、《公民权利和政治权利国际公约》（1966）、《儿童权利公约》（1989）、《保护所有移徙工人及其家庭成员权利国际公约》（1990）、《在民族或族裔、宗教和语言上属于少数群体的人的权利宣言》（1992）、《残疾人权利公约》（2006）、《联合国土著人民权利宣言》（2007）以及国际人权条约和其他机构在这一领域的工作。
回顾了其他国际文件，包括《世界文化多样性宣言》及其行动计划（2001）、《保护非物质文化遗产公约》（2003）、《保护和促进文化表达多样性公约》（2005）；《关于普及网络空间及提倡和使用多种语言的建议书》(2003)。1
申明语言多样性政策必须首先尊重人民和社区作为语言守护者的尊严，尊重他们的权利，并就保护和促进语言多样性与他们真诚合作，探讨了为语言振兴、保护和促进所做出的努力，并获悉土著语言以及其他语言不断面临濒危困境的情况。
既考虑到语言和其承载的传统知识对于文化多样性和生物多样性极为重要，尤其在应对气候变化和环境恶化时至关重要，也考虑到拥有自己的语言是决定土著人民享有自决权的一个因素。
回顾绝大多数濒危语言是土著人民语言这一事实；也赞同联合国大会在关于“土著人民权利”的决议（编号71/178）中表达的紧迫感，该决议宣布2019年为“国际本土语言年”。
重申联合国大会2014年9月22日第69/2号决议通过的《世界土著人民大会成果文件》，“全系统行动计划”2及其之后的国家行动计划；土著人民权利专家会议及其有关研究和倡议等所达成的共识；3以及联合国土著问题常设论坛2016年会议(E/2016/43)的结论和倡议，其主题为：“土著语言：保护和振兴(《联合国土著人民权利宣言》第13、14和16条)”。
本宣言申明
（二）《联合国土著人民权利宣言》第13、14、16条进一步完善了语言权利的规范性内容。
（四）近年来多个关于土著语言的国际专家会议可为此领域的工作提供借鉴。这些专门的国际研讨会汇聚了跨学科专家、政策制定者、学者以及一线工作者。联合国教科文组织制定的“2019年国际本土语言年行动计划”也是本领域的重要文件。4
（五）“知识社会”这一概念建立在包容、开放、多样和多元等关键原则之上。文化多样性和多语主义在促进多元、公平、开放和包容的知识社会方面发挥着重要作用，也是普及教育、获取信息和实现表达自由的重要支柱。
共识和倡议
共识一：保护和促进语言多样性对于可持续发展目标的实现至关重要，因此倡议：
1.保护和促进语言多样性有助于促进人类发展。保护语言多样性就是要保障各语言使用者在教育及其他基本的公共服务、就业、健康、社会融入、参与社会决策等方面机会均等，避免出现永久性文盲、失业、就医困难、受歧视和其他不公平现象，从而有利于实现消除贫困、消除饥饿和营造良好健康与福祉的人类发展目标。同时，语言多样性也是独特而古老的文化代代相传的基础。
2.保护和促进语言多样性有助于提高濒危语言、少数民族语言、土著语言、非官方语言以及方言母语者的潜力、行动力和主动性。这包括人们自儿童期便开始使用并传承母语、接受母语教育、获得互联网和其他公共空间的信息和知识，视障人士使用盲文、听障人士使用手语进行交流，增加优质教育和性别平等的机会。
4.保护和促进语言多样性有助于推动经济发展。语言多样性为不同的语言使用者在其教育背景、社会生活以及经济发展中争取相对平等的权利，增加濒危语言、少数民族语言、土著语言、非官方语言以及方言母语者平等和优质就业的机会，以此推动可持续的经济增长。
5.保护和促进语言多样性有助于加强社会融入、社会合作。保护语言多样性有助于减少不同母语者之间的性别与社会不平等现象，保障濒危语言、少数民族语言、土著语言、非官方语言以及方言母语者接受教育的权力，通过鼓励其参与促进文化多样性、濒危语言保护、非物质文化遗产保护的系列行动，例如口传文化、表演艺术、社会实践、宗教民俗和节庆活动等，增强弱势群体的社会融入程度和社会决策能力，以此创建更为和平、包容的社会，促进可持续发展。
共识二：保护和促进语言多样性需要国际社会各方面积极作为，切实有效参与其中，因此倡议：
6.联合国教科文组织肩负着倡议、引领、促进、普及、保护世界语言多样性的重要职责。
（2）联合国教科文组织应当鼓励并指导各成员国、有关学术机构及企业开展濒危语言保护工作，积极与濒危语言，包括少数民族语言、土著语言和其他弱势语言的社区建立联系。
（3）联合国教科文组织应当构建保护和促进语言多样性城市网络，探索将语言多样性作为可持续城市的重要标准之一。
（4）联合国教科文组织应当支持、鼓励和宣传以政策为导向的研究，系统全面地解决语言公正问题，并将其作为可持续发展的重要组成部分。
7.联合国和其他国际人权机构和机制有责任继续从保障人权的维度监测语言权利行使状况。这包括人权条约机构和特别程序，例如：经济、社会和文化权利委员会、儿童权利委员会、文化权利问题特别报告员和土著人民权利问题特别报告员。
（2）建议联合国大会宣布一项国际十年活动，名为“本土语言国际十年”。因为世界土著语言振兴需要各个国家、土著人民和其他方面的持续努力。
8.国家和政府在保护和促进本国语言多样性方面应发挥主导作用，鼓励各成员国制定健全的语言政策和语言资源管理运营机制。
（3）应将负责语言项目规划、实施和评估的语言政策制定机制与本国专业技术和方法传统紧密结合起来。
9.鼓励国家语言文字管理部门、学术界、非政府组织、公共和私人机构以及个人通过科研、媒体、课程、艺术、文化产品和信息通信技术等多种方式保护并促进语言多样性。
（2）支持社会大众，尤其是青少年，包括他们中的社会边缘化群体，开展语言保护、振兴和传承的教育活动和文化活动。
（3）鼓励在世界范围内成立以保护国家和世界语言多样性为目标的青年联盟或青年组织，通过举办青年论坛、会议研讨和志愿者活动等方式，加强语言资源人才建设。
（4）鼓励城市积极促进当地语言多样性，并将其转化为知识或生产力，实现在全球化背景下保护和促进语言多样性的目标。
（5）保护与促进语言多样性的国际标准文件应能明显缩小现有规范标准与近年来积极开展的各项语言保护行动之间的差距。
（6）建议制定一份新的国际规范标准文件，以契合目前各国及国际社会上多项积极主动的语言保护行动的需求。
（8）学术机构和土著组织是帮助鉴定并提供资源的关键。应积极设立语言资源保护项目，共享由高校、语言学家调查采集而得的语言数据，以减少土著语言的流失。同时，土著社区可以为这些方案的具体实施提供宝贵意见，并提供更多口语流利的发音人。
（10）积极汇聚语言振兴的经验和方法，将有助于国际社会和各国家践行上述各项倡议。联合国教科文组织、联合国土著问题常设论坛秘书处应能够引领这项工作的开展。
共识三：保护和促进语言多样性应当与科技发展相结合，因此倡议：
10.语言是一种宝贵的、不可再生的社会文化资源。应重视利用科技进步来推动各语言及其文化之间的交流合作，促进文明交流互鉴。
12.成员国应制订科学稳妥的政策，采取积极有效的措施，让科技发展惠及各语言使用者，使之平等地拥有接受教育和传承文化的权利，享受科技产品的服务和便利。
19.博物馆是保存、保护、展示、共享语言资源的最佳载体之一。鼓励国际组织、政府，公共组织或非政府组织、土著人民、私人机构，社区或个人积极建设语言博物馆，特别鼓励建设与语言社区紧密结合的生态博物馆或语言文化体验区。信息、记忆、档案和文化组织（如博物馆），无论是实体的还是虚拟的，都将对保护和促进语言多样性发挥积极作用。
20.鼓励成员国通过项目合作、学术交流等方式共享语言资源保护的规范标准、技术工具和前沿理念；包括开源免费的资源。特别是应当促进国家和地方上的语言调查、保护、传承、发展。鼓励从事保护和促进语言多样性工作的研究机构、专家赴各国、各地区开展项目合作和学术交流。
致谢
感谢联合国教科文组织和中华人民共和国政府于2018年9月19-21日在中华人民共和国湖南省长沙市成功举办世界语言资源保护大会。
注释
4E/C.19/2018/8。
ProtectionandPromotionofLinguisticDiversityoftheWorldYueluProclamation
InternationalConference“Roleoflinguisticdiversityinbuildingaglobalcommunitywithsharedfuture:protection,accessandpromotionoflanguageresources”
19-21September2018Changsha，ThePeople’sRepublicofChina
Introduction
Weliveinasocietythatiscomprisedofdifferinglanguages,cultures,ethnicities,religions,andsocialsystems,renderingitamutuallyinclusivecommunity.Languageisoneofthefundamentalpreconditionstohumandevelopment,dialogue,reconciliation,tolerance,andthepeacefulexistenceofhumansociety.
Peopleneedlanguagetocommunicatewithoneanotherandpassalongfromonegenerationtothenextgenerationknowledge,ideas,beliefsandtraditions,whichareessentialforsurvival,dignity,well-being,evolutionandpeacefulco-existence.Weareremindedthatlanguageisbesttaughttoandlearnedbyeachgenerationthroughchildrenearlyintheirlives.
Moreover,languageisoneoftheessentialcharacteristicsofcultureenablingpeopletosocializeandformajointfuturethroughsharedpatternsofbehaviors,interactions,cognitiveconstructsandunderstanding.Itisthemaincarrierforrecordingandinheritingtheuniquecultureofagroupofpeople,regionandworld.Furthermore,languageencodeshumantraditionalknowledgebuiltovercenturiesofdevelopmentandapplication;andstoredasarepositorytofurtherhumandevelopmentaswellasseenashumanabilitytomodify,adaptandmakenecessaryadjustmenttothechangingenvironment.
Wetheparticipantsfromaroundtheworldrepresentinggovernments,nationallanguageharmonizationinstitutions,academia,representativesofcultural,informationandmemoryorganizations,publicandprivatesector,andspeakersofendangered,minority,indigenouslanguages,aswellasnon-officiallanguagesanddialects,andotherexpertsgatheredattheInternationalConference“Roleoflinguisticdiversityinbuildingaglobalcommunitywithsharedfuture:protection,accessandpromotionoflanguageresources”inChangsha,China,from19-20September2018adoptedthefollowingProclamation,
CommittedtothehumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomsproclaimedintheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(1948)andotherinternationallyrecognizedlegalinstruments,
RecallingthePreambletotheConstitutionofUNESCOaffirms,“thatsincewarsbegininthemindsofmen,itisinthemindsofmenandwomenthatthedefensesofpeacemustbeconstructed”(16November1945)andreaffirmingthatUNESCOisoneoftheUNsystemagenciesactivelyinvolvedinthepromotinglinguisticdiversityandmultilingualism,
Buildingonotherinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentsthatsupportlanguagerights,includingtheInternationalConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofRacialDiscrimination(1965),theInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(1966),theInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(1966),theConventionontheRightsoftheChild(1989),theInternationalConventionontheProtectionoftheRightsofAllMigrantWorkersandMembersofTheirFamilies(1990),theDeclarationontheRightsofPersonsBelongingtoNationalorEthnic,ReligiousandLinguisticMinorities(1992),theConventionontheRightsofPersonswithDisabilities(2006),andtheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples(2007),aswellastheworkofinternationalhumanrightstreatyandotherbodiesinthisfield.
Alsorecallingotherinternationalinstruments,includingtheUniversalDeclarationonCulturalDiversityanditsActionPlan(2001),theConventionfortheSafeguardingoftheIntangibleCulturalHeritage(2003),andtheConventionontheProtectionandPromotionoftheDiversityofCulturalExpressions(2005),theRecommendationconcerningthePromotionandUseofMultilingualismandUniversalAccesstoCyberspace(2003).1
Affirmingthatlinguisticdiversitypoliciesmustfirstandforemostrecognizethedignityofpeoplesandcommunitiesthataretheguardiansoflanguages,respecttheirrightsandbuildgenuinecollaborationswiththemforlanguageprotectionandpromotion,andhavingdiscussedeffortsforlanguagerevitalization,protectionandpromotion,andalsoheardofcasesofcontinuingthreatstoindigenousandotherlanguages,
Consideringthatlanguagesandthetraditionalknowledgetheycarryarefundamentalbothforculturalandforbiologicaldiversityandespeciallycriticalinthefaceofclimatechangeandenvironmentaldegradation,aswellasconsideringthathavingadistinctlanguageisonefactorthatqualifiesdistinctindigenouspeoplesfortherighttoself-determination,
Recallingthattheoverwhelmingmajorityofthreatenedlanguagesareindigenouspeoples’languages,andsupportingthesenseofurgencyexpressedinUNGeneralAssemblyresolution71/178thatproclaimed2019astheInternationalYearofIndigenousLanguages,
ReassertingthecommitmentsreachedintheOutcomeDocumentoftheWorldConferenceonIndigenousPeoplesadoptedbytheUNGeneralAssemblyinresolution69/2on22September2014andtheSystem-widePlanofAction2aswellasnationalactionplansthatfollowed,andtherecommendationsoftherelevantstudiesoftheExpertMechanismontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples3andtheconclusionsandrecommendationsoftheUNPermanentForumonIndigenousIssuesatits2016session(E/2016/43)onthetheme“Indigenouslanguages:preservationandrevitalization(articles13,14and16oftheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples)”,
Statethefollowing:
Theinternationalcommunityhasadoptedimportantinternationalinstrumentsandotherpolicydocumentsemphasizingtheprotectionoflinguisticdiversity.Inparticular,theglobalattentiontolanguage-relatedissueshasbeenrenewedbytheUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyinitsResolution71/178onthe“RightsofIndigenousPeoples”proclaiming2019astheInternationalYearofIndigenousLanguages.
TheUNDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeopleshasfurtheradvancedthenormativecontentoflanguagerightsinitsarticles13,14and16.
Therearegoodexamples,wherespecialattentionispaidtotheprotectionandrevitalizationofthelanguagesandculturesofindigenouspeoples,andalsotheprotectionandinheritanceofendangeredlanguages,minoritylanguages,non-officiallanguagesanddialects.
Anumberofinternationalexpertmeetingsonindigenouslanguagesinrecentyearsthatcanserveasaninspirationinthisfield.Thesespecialinternationalgatheringbroughttogetherpeopleacrossdisciplines,policy-makers,academicsandpractitioners.TheActionPlanfororganizingthe2019InternationalYearofIndigenousLanguagespreparedbyUNESCOisanotherimportantdocumentinthisarea.4
TheconceptofKnowledgeSocieties,builtonthekeyprinciplesofinclusion,openness,diversityandpluralism.Culturaldiversityandmultilingualismhaveakeyroletoplayinfosteringpluralistic,equitable,openandinclusiveknowledgesocietiesandarepillarsofeducationforall,accesstoinformationandfreedomofexpression.
Adoptingthehumanrights-basedmethodology,namely:non-discrimination;interdependenceandinterrelatednessofallhumanrights;attentionshouldbeplacedonthemostvulnerable;participation;andaccountabilityofduty-bearersbasedoninternationalhumanrightsnorms.
ConclusionsandRecommendations
ConclusionI.TheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityiscrucialtotheachievementoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)
Recommendations:
1.1.TheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityhelpstopromoteHumanDevelopment.Theprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityisaboutpeople’sandgroups’equalopportunitiestoqualityeducationandotherbasicpublicservices,employment,health,socialinclusionandparticipationinsociety;itisaboutstoppingperpetualilliteracy,unemployment,difficultmedicalconditions,discriminationandotherinjustices.LinguisticdiversityhelpsusrealizethehumandevelopmentgoalssuchasNoPoverty,ZeroHunger,andGoodHealthandWell-Being.Linguisticdiversityisalsofundamentaltothepassingdownofdistinctandoftenancientculturesfromoldertoyoungergenerations.
1.2.Theprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityhelpstoimprovethehumanpotential,actionandlocalinitiativesofnativespeakersinendangeredlanguages,minoritylanguages,indigenouslanguages,non-officiallanguagesanddialects.Thisincludesuseandinheritanceofmothertonguefromchildhood,mothertongueeducation,accesstotheinternetandotherpublicspaces,andsignlanguagesandbrailleasthemediumofcommunicationamongpeoplewithdisabilities,actionsthatwillimprovethechancesofQualityEducationandGenderEquality.
1.3.TheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityhelpstoimprovetheEnvironment.Themaintenanceoflinguisticdiversityiscloselyrelatedtotheunderstandingofthenaturalecologicalenvironment,tobiodiversity,andthewayofproductionandlife,thatlanguagerelieson.Inthecontextofglobalization,theprotectionoflinguisticdiversityshouldbecloselycombinedwiththeprotectionof
societiesandcommunitieslivingbothincitiesandvillages,providingnecessaryenvironmentalconditionsandservicesfortheprotectionoflinguisticdiversity,andexploringawin-winsustainabledevelopmentmodelforlinguisticdiversity,environmentalprotectionandeconomicgrowth.
1.4.TheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityhelpstoimproveEconomicDevelopment.Linguisticdiversitystrivesforrelativelyequalrightsfordifferentlanguageusersintheireducationalbackground,sociallifeandeconomicdevelopment,improvestheopportunitiesofequalandhighqualityemploymentfornativespeakersofendangered,minority,indigenouslanguages,aswellasnon-officiallanguagesanddialects,inordertopromotesustainableeconomicgrowth.
1.5.TheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityhelpsimproveSocialInclusionandPartnerships.Ithelpstoreducethegenderandsocialinequalitybetweendifferentnativespeakers,guaranteetherightsfornativespeakersofendangered,minority,indigenouslanguages,aswellasnon-officiallanguagesanddialectstoreceiveeducation,enhancethesocialinclusionlevelandsocialdecision-makingabilitybyencouragingthemtoparticipateinaseriesofactionstopromoteculturaldiversity,endangeredlanguageprotection,andtheprotectionofintangibleculturalheritage,suchasoralculture,performingarts,socialpractice,religiousfolk-customandfestivalactivities,inordertocreateamorepeacefulandinclusivesocietytopromotesustainabledevelopment.
ConclusionII.Theprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityrequirestheproactive,accountableandmeasurableparticipationofallsectorsoftheinternationalcommunity
2.1.UNESCOhastheimportantresponsibilityforadvocacy,guidance,promotion,popularizationandprotectionoflinguisticdiversityintheworld.
Itshouldmonitorthecurrentsituationoflinguisticdiversityintheworld,andformulateandimplementrelevantpoliciesormeasuresaccordingly.Itshouldcooperatewithgovernmentsandnon-governmentalorganizations,indigenouspeoples,publicandprivateorganizations,communitiesandindividualsconcerned,andsupportrelevantpartnersinlanguagecapacitydevelopment.
ItshouldprovideguidancetoitsMembercountries,relevantacademicinstitutionsandcompaniestocarryontheprotectionofendangeredlanguages,activelyestablishconnectionswiththeusersandcommunitiesofendangeredlanguagesincludingminoritylanguages,indigenouslanguagesandendangeredlanguagesoverall.
Itshouldbuildcitynetworksfortheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityandfurtherexploresthefeasibilityofconsideringlinguisticdiversityasanimportantcriterionofasustainablecity.
Itshouldsupport,encourageandcommunicatepolicy-orientedresearchintosystematicapproachestolinguisticjusticeforall,asanintegraldimensionofsustainabledevelopment.
2.2.UnitedNationsandotherinternationalhumanrightsbodiesandmechanismshavetheresponsibilitytocontinuetomonitorthehumanrightsaspectsoflanguagerights.Thisincludeshumanrightstreatybodiesandspecialprocedures,suchastheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,theCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,theSpecialRapporteurinthefieldofCulturalRightsandtheSpecialRapporteurontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples.
TheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityoftheworldshouldbeincludedintherelevantdevelopmentagendaoftheUnitedNationstoensureitplaysanirreplaceableroleinbuildingaglobalcommunitywithsharedfuture,andinpromotingequality,mutuallearning,mutualunderstanding,exchanges,toleranceandpeaceandhumanrightsaroundtheworld.
ItisrecommendthattheUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyproclaimaninternationaldecadeofindigenouslanguagesgiventhattherevitalizationoftheworld’sindigenouslanguagesrequiresasustainedeffortbystates,indigenouspeoplesandothers.
2.3.GovernmentsplayaleadingroleintheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityandencourageeveryMemberStatetoformulateandintegratelanguagepolicies,languageresourcemanagementandimplementationmechanisms.
ItisrecommendedthatMemberStatesformulateplansofactionaccordingtotheirnationallanguageconditions,andcarryouttheresearchandprotectionoflanguageresourcesinatimelyandeffectivemannerandwiththeparticipationoflanguagecommunitiesconcerned.
Governmentsshouldcarryouteducationalandculturalactivitiestopromotelanguageandculturaldiversityandmultilingualism,soastoraisepeople’slanguageconfidenceandawarenessoflanguageprotectionandinheritance,byinvolvinglanguagecommunitiesconcernedintheplanningimplementationandevaluationsofrelevantprograms.
Governmentsshouldinvolvetheirlanguagepolicymakingmechanismsconcernedintheplanning,implementationandevaluationoflanguageprogramsprimarilywiththenationalknowhowandmethodologicaltradition.
Actionplansshouldbeformulatedandimplementedonrelevantinternationalinstrumentsatcountrylevelandwiththecollaborationofallrelevantactors.
2.4.Nationallanguageharmonizationinstitutions,academia,non-governmentalorganizations,publicandprivateorganizationsandindividualsshouldbeencouragedtoprotectandpromotelinguisticdiversitythroughscientificresearch,media,curricula,arts,culturalproductionandICT.
Allrelevantstakeholders,includingnationallanguageharmonizationinstitutions,academia,non-governmentalorganizations,publicandprivateorganizationsandindividuals,areencouragedtorecognizeandraiseawarenessofthetermandvalueof“languageprotectors/champions/promoters”,whethertheyarecommunities,organizations,institutionsorindividualswhostrivefortheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversitythroughscientificresearch,media,curriculadevelopment,arts,culturalproductionandICTamongothermeans.
Thepublic,especiallytheyouthincludingsociallymarginalized,shouldbesupportedtocarryouteducationalandculturalactivitiesoflanguageprotection,revitalizationandheritage.
Theestablishmentofayouthorganizationsandnetworksisencouragedwhichwillaimatprotectinglinguisticdiversitynationallyintheworld.Weshouldstrengthentalentstrainingforlanguageresourcesbyholdingyouthforums,sessionsandvolunteeractivities,etc.
Citiesareencouragedtopromotelocallinguisticdiversityandtransformitintoknowledgeorproductivity,inordertoachievethegoalofpromotingandprotectinglinguisticdiversityinthecontextofglobalization.
Theinternationalstandardsontheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversityshouldaddressanexistinggapbetweenencouragingpracticesthathavedevelopedinrecenttimesandcurrentstandards.
Thedevelopmentofanewinternationalinstrumentwithinternationalstandardsorguidelinesisrecommendedinordertocapturethepositivepracticesobservedtodatenationallyandinternationally.
Thegovernments,privatesector,non-governmentalorganizations,academiaandotheractorsareencouragedtoboostfundingandotherresourcesfortheprotectionandpromotionofindigenousandotherthreatenedlanguages.
Academicandindigenousorganizationsarekeytohelpidentifyingandprovidingresourcestohelpcombatthelossofindigenouslanguagesbyestablishinglanguageprogramsandsharingoflinguisticinformationcollectedandarchivedbyuniversitiesandlinguists,whiletheindigenouscommunitiescanadvisethebestwaystocarryouttheseprogramsandcreatemorefluentspeakers.
The2019InternationalYearofIndigenousLanguagesisanopportunitytolaunchaglobalefforttowardsaninterculturalworld.Atraining-of-trainersprogramcouldbe
establishedfortrainingofqualifiedtrainers,whowouldbeabletopromotesustainableculturaldevelopment,workingthroughpublicorprivateinstitutionsorcivilsocietyinitiatives.
Alltheaboveefforts,bothinternationalandnational,wouldbegreatlyhelpedbythecollectionandcompilationofgoodpracticesandmethodologiesforlanguagerevitalization.UNESCOandtheSecretariatoftheUNPermanentForumonIndigenousIssueswouldbewell-placedtoleadthiseffort.
ConclusionIII.Itisessentialtocombinetheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversitywiththedevelopmentofscienceandtechnology.
3.1.Languageisaninvaluable,non-renewablesocio-culturalresource.Theimportancetotheutilizationofscientificandtechnologicalachievementsshouldbeattachedtothepromotionofcollaborationandinternationalcooperationamongpeoplesandcommunitiesofvariouslanguagesandculturesandtopromoteexchangesandmutuallearningamongcultures.
3.2.Itisessentialtosetupinternationalstandardstoprotectlanguageresources,including:
(i)technicalstandardsforcollection,annotationanddocumentationoflanguageresources;
(ii)co-construction,sharingandutilizationstandardsoflanguageresourcesthroughouttheworld.Internationalstandardizationorganizations(suchasISO)andprofessionalorganizationsengagedinlanguageprotection,suchasuniversities,researchinstitutes,expertsandotherstakeholdersshouldformulateandabidebytheinternationalstandardstogether.
3.3.MemberStates,shouldformulateinclusivepoliciesandtakeactiveandeffectivemeasuresmakingthedevelopmentofscienceandtechnologybenefitusersofeachlanguagetoensurethattheyhaveequalrightstobeeducated,inherittheircultureandenjoytheserviceandconvenienceoftechnologicalproducts.
3.4.MemberStates,publicorganizations,academia,non-governmentalorganizationsandcivilsociety,UNentitiesandassociatedmechanisms,theprivatesector,languagespeakersandothers,incollaborationwithindigenouspeoplesandotherlanguagecommunities,shouldpromotelinguisticdiversitywithintheframeworkoftheglobalknowledgesocietiesandcreateaninternetspacewithusesandexchangesofmultiplelanguages.
3.5.MemberStates,publicorganizations,academia,non-governmentalorganizationsandcivilsociety,UNentitiesandassociatedmechanisms,theprivatesector,andothers,incollaborationwithindigenouspeoplesandotherlanguagecommunitiesshouldusetechnologiessuchasArtificialIntelligence(AI)andInformationandCommunicationTechnologies(ICT)topromotethecreativetransformation,innovativedevelopmentandeffectivedisseminationoflanguagecultureandseeknewwaysfortheprotectionandinheritanceofendangered,minority,indigenouslanguages,aswellasnon-officiallanguagesanddialects.LanguageisoneofthemostimportantresourcesofArtificialIntelligence,andthedevelopmentofArtificialIntelligencereliesonlanguageresourcestoo.
3.6.MemberStates,publicorganizations,academia,non-governmentalorganizationsandcivilsociety,UNentitiesandassociatedmechanisms,theprivatesector,andothers,incollaborationwithindigenouspeoplesandotherlanguagecommunitiesshoulddevelopadvancedtoolsforcollectionandanalysisoflanguagedata,transliterationandannotationofmulti-modalcorpusanddisplayandinteractionofcultures;wecanusespeechrecognitionsystemandmachinetranslationtechnologytoimprovetheefficiencyoflanguageeducationandlearning.
3.7.TheUNentities,intergovernmentalorganizations,states,governments,nongovernmentalorganizations,publicandprivateorganizations,indigenouspeoples,communitiesandindividualscomingfromglobal,nationaltolocallevelsconcernedwithlinguisticdiversityareencouragedtogiveattentiontolinguisticdiversityrelatedinitiativesandhelpputthemintopractice.
3.8.Participateinbuildingthenew"WorldAtlasofLanguages"incollaborationwithlanguageresearchinstitutesandrelevantuniversitiesofChinaandothercountriestoestablishexpertworkinggroupsorpartnerships,encouragingthemtoparticipateinorassistinthedevelopmentoftheregionalandnationalAtlasofLanguageswithinthecontextoftheUNESCOWorldAtlasofLanguages.
3.9.MemberStates,theprivatesector,academiaandothers,incollaborationwithindigenouspeoplesandotherlanguagecommunitiesshouldpromotenationalinfrastructurefortherevitalization,reclamationandmaintenanceofdistinctlanguagesthatcanincludelanguagerevitalizationinstitutes,languagecommissions,languagemuseumsandarchivalanddigitizationentities.
3.10.Museumisoneofthebestcarrierstopreserve,protect,displayandsharelanguageresources.Internationalorganizations,governments,publicornongovernmentalorganizations,indigenouspeoples,privatesector,communitiesandindividualsareencouragedtobuildlanguagemuseums,especiallyeco-museumsorlanguage-cultureexperienceareas,whicharecloselyintegratedwithlanguagecommunities.Everyinformation,memory,archiveandculturalorganizationsuchasmuseums,whetherphysicaloronlinevirtual,hasthepotentialtoplayapositiveroleintheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversity.
3.11.MemberStatesencouragedsharingstandards,technicaltoolsandadvancedconcepts,includingopen,inclusiveandfree,fortheprotectionoflanguageresourcesthroughprojectcooperation,academicexchangesorotherways.Inparticular,theinvestigation,protection,inheritanceanddevelopmentoflanguagesatcountriesandregionallevelsshouldbeencouragedworkingwithresearchinstitutionsandexpertsengagedintheprotectionandpromotionoflinguisticdiversitytovisittocarryoutvisits,projectsofcooperationandacademicexchangesatcountryandregionallevel.
Acknowledgement
TheparticipantsexpressedtheirappreciationtoUNESCOandtheGovernmentofthePeople’sRepublicofChinaforsuccessfullyholdingthisInternationalConferenceonthe“Roleoflinguisticdiversityinbuildingaglobalcommunitywithsharedfuture:protection,accessandpromotiontogloballanguageresources”from19to21September2018,inChangsha,HunanProvince,ThePeople’sRepublicofChina.