University Events

Indigenous language learning offers extraordinary teaching opportunities for a wide range of disciplines, but there are few readily available materials that seize these opportunities in all their urgency and intellectual richness.

The University Events (UE) Committee was formed to fulfill one of the goals of the IYIL2019 project by involving University Language Departments. Our mission is to create massive momentum to motivate Universities worldwide to join us in October 2019 by hosting a University Event at their campuses.

We are asking universities around the world to host classroom presentations, lectures, workshops and conferences to create awareness of indigenous languages.

We've put together a package to help you!

We've developed materials that range from lists for background reading, Skype conversations with experts in the field (both academics and professionals), to campus visits, workshops, exhibitions, lectures and panel discussions.

How it works

• First look at the Guidelines and decide which type of events suit your institution, class and circumstances.
• Check out the Event Examples for ideas on how to structure it and get your students involved.
• Browse through the Resources to find relevant materials to build your presentation.
• Familiarize yourself with all the information on the IYIL2019 Action Plan, to help focus on your objectives.
• Contact us to inform us of your planned October 2019 Event and to discuss your special needs.

We have volunteers to Support you by helping plan, prepare and organize your event. We will also add your event to the IYIL2019 website Events page. The volunteers will help you with marketing and social media exposure. After your event, they'll assist you posting photos and videos on the IYIL2019 website.

Finally, as this initiative is laying some important global foundations during 2019, we hope to continue spreading the word over the coming years and working on specific Themes and Action Plans deriving from UNESCO's end of year report. One such action plan is to create a Global Research Network among universities.

All participating professors will join a global online meeting with IYIL2019 officials, organized by UNESCO

UNESCO will hold two meetings on November 26th and 27th, and all university professors and lecturers who hold University Events during October 2019 will be invited to participate. The aim of the meetings is to establish a Community of Practice to continue IYIL2019 work within academic institutions. The participants will lay the foundations for future events regarding all the topics covered during IYIL2019.

How you can help the organizing committee

• Pass on the information to your colleagues and other departments in your institution, and encourage them to plan a presentation or lecture.
• Share with us any materials you are aware of, such as publicly available articles and videos, so we can add the links to our website.
• Help us organize events by joining the TC working group and sharing your skills and time.
• Come back to us with ideas, feedback and suggestions.

Please fill in this form to register your University Event

Would you like to involve your school or program?

Register an event and gain access to the event resource bank here.