Inalco and the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC) sign a cooperation agreement

15 February 2024

  • Partnership

  • International relations

  • Institute

On February 8, 2024, Inalco and the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC) signed an academic and cultural cooperation agreement, facilitated by the French Embassy in Bolivia. This is an historic agreement for both Inalco, which has signed its first framework agreement with an international organization, and FILAC, for which Inalco will be the first academic partner.
Signature de l'accord de coopération entre l'Inalco et le FILAC
L'accord a été signé par Freddy Mamani, président du FILAC, et Delphine Allès, vice-présidente de l'Inalco © FILAC‎

The roadmap for the implementation of this program provides for exchanges of researchers, PhD students and students in the fields of linguistics and social sciences relating to Latin American indigenous languages and communities, the development of resources for the promotion and distance learning of indigenous languages notably within the framework of a collaboration with the Ibero-American Institute of Indigenous Languages of Latin America and the Caribbean (IIALI), the development of training programs concerning the study and promotion of Amerindian languages and their speakers, or Amerindian digital humanities.

The two institutions share a welfare-centered approach. While FILAC is guided by the concept of "living well", in 2023, Inalco joined the European alliance EUniWell, dedicated to social and individual well-being. This convergence enables them to join forces in promoting multilingualism and multiculturalism, which are essential for fostering an inclusive and enriching educational and social environment.

Parallel to the signing of the agreement, Inalco, FILAC and IIALI organized a seminar on the same day around language policies aimed at safeguarding, promoting and using indigenous languages in the Latin American multilingual context. The seminar brought together representatives of governmental organizations responsible for indigenous languages from Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru, as well as international specialists and representatives from Inalco.

More than 420 languages are spoken in this part of the world, 40% of which are threatened with extinction. The first chair in Quechua was opened at Inalco back in 1971, and the institution now also offers teaching programs in Guarani, Maya Yucatecan, Tseltal and Nahuatl.

About FILAC

The Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC) supports the self-development processes of the region's indigenous peoples, communities and organizations, and promotes good living as an alternative to guarantee environmental sustainability, respect for fundamental human rights and dialogue between the main players in indigenous development: indigenous peoples, governments, civil society, academia, businessmen and others. Learn more

USEFUL LINKS
Firman compromiso internacional por la preservación lingüística en América Latina y el Caribe - Periódico La Patria FILAC e INALCO firman convenio de cooperación - IIALI