Transitions and the Rights of indigenous children

How homogenous is LAC region? Millions indigenous people More than 620 indigenous PeopleS More than 500 indigenous languages- - At least 110 endangered languages - More than 100 in different countries (Sources: Atlas in DVD, based on National Census; Lopez, L.E)

Why is so difficult to know? Lack of visibility in census and surveys (different criteria) Discrimination / Denial Different Definitions (farmers, minorities, “originarios”, etc.) Different methodologies

Some examples Country Indigenous Peoples Indigenous Population % Argentina , Brazil , Bolivia 36 5,002, Guatemala 24 4,487, Guyana 9 68, Mexico 67 9,504, Suriname 5 6,

Their Rights

The Main International Instruments CRC Art. 30 ILO Convention 169 UN Declaration Rights of Indigenous Peoples GC # 11

Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 30 In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous origin exist, a child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practice his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language. Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989 Entry into force 2 September 1990, in accordance with article 49

Important Elements of UNDRIP Collective Rights + all Individual rights Right to Diversity Self Determination Free Prior-Informed Consent

The Languages The socio- linguistic Diversity Monolingualism in each language Bilingualism Plurilingualism The Status of the languages and the diglotic situation The Intergenerational break Language is culture

Lessons Learned – Importance of Mother tongue education and to strenghten self-esteem – Need to start with L1 and introduce oral L2 first – Start Reading & writing in L1 is easy – Need of linguistically competent teachers –The involvment of communities in decision making

Lessons Learned –To take advantage at an early stage for learning a second language: the role of the radio and media

The Intercultural Approach –IBA as a political arena for the indigenous peoples –Beyond language towards indigenous pedagogy and epistemology –Beyond multiculturalism, towards intercultural societies

Lessons learned –Child Rearing practices – The involvement of parents and indigenous organizations –Negotiation competencies for teachers and social workers – The children’ voices –The inter-generational Dialogue

The challenge Open and ready to learn from and with indigenous peoples

THANK YOU!