Position Paper
- Preserving Linguistic Diversity and Protecting Endangered languages
Egypt dedicates itself to maintaining and preserving linguistic diversity and protecting the endangered language since language is the culture, heritage and identity of nations and states. Egypt supports the UDHR goals of UNESCO’s Universal declaration on culture diversity (2001) and is willing to participate in international agreements.
Nationally, Egypt wants language diversities to be an accepted norm among the citizens. The country wants the diversities to be a point of unity and not segregation among the various cultures in the country. Egypt understands the fundamentality of languages towards their native speakers, therefore, wants every minority to have the right to speak and teach their languages. As a country of deep cultural roots, Egypt recognizes the Coptic language, which is part of the Egyptian culture and heritage. As the largest population of Arab Speakers, Egypt also celebrates the United Nations Arabic language day on December 18th every year. Arabic language is officially recognized as the 6th official language worldwide by the general assembly of UN. National institutions such as the Egypt Supreme Council for Culture exist to ensure language diversity in Egypt continues to exist.
Furthermore, Egypt wants linguistic diversity to be part of the communication and information sector in the country. This means ensuring sharing of information through minority languages, even in the media. The country also seeks to acquire increased dissemination of information in a variety of languages. This will involve thorough translation of academic material, especially in schools and institutions of higher learning. Egypt can declare linguistic diversity as a right to every citizen so that different languages become more common in day-to-day use. Internationally, Egypt supports the mandate of the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and equality even in varying diversities (including linguistic diversities). UDHR and UNESCO are some IGOs that regulate the maintenance of cultural diversities in member countries, such as Egypt
Egypt wants the linguistic diversities in their country to be a perpetual national symbol of unity and a source of revenue through tourism. Egypt is also a member of the UNESCO World Heritage site that seeks to preserve cultural diversities in member countries, including linguistic diversities. This NGO dedicates its operations to preservation of cultural heritage.
The Endangered Languages Programme of UNESCO seeks to ensure retention of culture among member states. The initiative uses various tools monitoring and promoting the use of indigenous languages, even in the use of the internet. UNESCO does this by collaborating with the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Egypt, through its Minister for Communication and Technology, expressed that the country seeks to achieve these ICT goals. The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity identifies a free and enabling environment as one of the factors that promote cultural diversity in Article 5.
- Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction strategies in order to protect UNESCO world heritage sites
Egypt wants to ensure preservation of national heritage sites, such as the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Egypt dedicates insurmountable effort to the mitigation of risks that undermine the efforts that promote heritage sites. Most of Egypt’s heritage point to a religious history or a mark of ceremonial activities in Egypt’s history. The country encourages the preservation of cultural heritage through domestic tourism. Domestic tourists receive cheaper packages to tour and enjoy their country.
Egypt also supports the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity that asserts the importance of preservation of cultural heritage in Article 7 of the declaration. The risks exist for various languages and cultures across the world. Organizations, such as the Egypt Cultural Heritage Organization, have a mandate to preserve the country’s heritage for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
However, Egypt is a hub of various cultural objects that continue to attract attention from all over the world, because they are a symbol of cultural heritage. This means that the risk of smuggling such objects is equally high and conscious effort to combat such negative efforts is the only solution.
Egypt notes with importance the need of protection of cultural artifacts from scrupulous and selfish businessmen who do not value the Egyptian culture. This is because of the detrimental consequences this may have on cultural preservation. Egypt found one of the best ways to ensure that this culture is preserved was through use of archaeological museums. These artifacts are mark and proof of different historic eras in Egypt; from pharaonic era, Coptic era to the periods of Islam.
Egypt established the Emergency Red List of Egyptian Cultural Objects at Risk. This was to serve as red alert to law enforcers on what to be on the lookout for. Co-ordination of sale of any artifacts by the Egyptian Museum is another control measure to ensure cultural preservation and prevent illegal sale of cultural material.
On April 20th 2006, the government of Egypt signed the convention for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. This set stage for the continuous preservation of the country’s culture. Egypt attends international meetings and agreements on cultural diversity and preservation. However, increased effort in preservation the indigenous music is crucial. This is one of cultural items at the highest risk of loss. This is especially due to the influence of easy access to internet and the satellite media. Application of little effort by Egypt’s government in preserving the indigenous music is another limiting fact that calls for international intervention.
Egypt continues to uphold the preservation of cultural heritage sites as per UNESCO’s declarations.
