How Language Digital Activism Can Play a Role in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages

Global Voices, through its Rising Voices initiative, with the support of the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, presents a series of online conversations focusing on how indigenous communities in Mexico and Canada have been adopting technology and the internet as tools to promote and revitalize their native languages benefitting and impacting a new generation of potential speakers. These conversations will be an opportunity to engage with key language activists and advocates from Mexican indigenous and Canadian First Nations communities who have been utilizing the internet, digital media, and technology to promote and revitalize their languages. The conversations will also highlight the possibilities for cross-regional learning and exchange.

At the recent UNESCO meeting in Mexico City to kick off planning for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, one of the working groups focused on the role of digital technologies and indigenous media in the campaign. This theme was also echoed throughout the proceedings in discussions about the importance of reaching and involving young people, a key ingredient in language vitality.

Language digital activism has been playing an increasingly important role in the overall strategy of language revitalization. Young people have been employing digital tools and taking do-it-yourself approaches to creating content in their languages and outreach to others. Resources such as digital language activism toolkit in development is one such approach to building capacity for young leaders to play a central role during this next decade.

With approximately 18 months to go before the start of the International Decade and the continued focus on the potential of digital technologies and the internet, what are the strategies needed to take things to the next level? How can language advocates partner successfully with policymakers to make a meaningful impact?

Ami Vitale Shares Imagery with Other Changemakers

Photographer Ami Vitale‘s career began in Guinea-Bissau when she was visiting her sister in the Peace Corp. Vitale expected Africa to be filled with war, famine, plague, or, the other extreme, exotic safaris. Living in West Africa for six months showed her not only “how the majority of people on the planet live their day-to-day life,” but that people were not as hopeless as the newspapers portrayed. There was “a great deal of joy there.” It is a revelation that has guided Vitale through 80 countries and a 13-year career.

Vitale’s original desire to take “beautiful pictures” was transformed into a desire to do justice to people and their stories. Her focus has centered on issues surrounding women, poverty, and health. The common denominator to all of her stories, she realized, is nature, specifically climate change. Women bare the brunt of those changes. But when a woman is offered the tools to improve her situation, she runs with the opportunity. She transforms communities. “It’s a ripple effect,” says Vitale.

The desire to see change led Vitale to join Ripple Effect Images, a photography organization started by Annie Griffiths that shares imagery with other changemakers. “We are telling the stories that are so important and get lost in the headlines,” says Vitale. “They are the key to connecting things and allowing people to get engaged and make a difference.”

Deserts―Biomes, By GeoDivide

Biomes is a documentary series created by GeoDivide, which explores our planet with beautiful high-quality documentaries including the latest in timelapse and drone technology.


Deserts are barren areas of land where little precipitation occurs and living conditions are hostile. Despite the lack of life, desert landscapes inspire us with their stark beauty.

A product of endless sunshine and droughts, life yet still finds a way here, for plants to survive in these regions have gotten smart. In this video, GeoDivide explores the biome of deserts, including plant life in the Mojave, Sonora, Atacama, Namib, Kalahari, Sahara, Gobi, and Australian Deserts.