Cultural Diversity & Multilingualism: Focus on ASEAN

International Days

UNESCO Atlas of Endangered Languages• 2,473 languages listed• Search by country, area, language name, number ofspeakers and degree of vitality/ endangerment;SafeDefinitelyendangeredCriticallyendangeredVulnerableSeverelyendangeredExtinct.Free Interactive Onlineresearch tool foradvocacy, monitoringand assessment ofstatus and trends oflanguages

The ASEAN region displays diversitybetween and within countriesEthnic and Linguistic <strong>Diversity</strong>• Between and within states• Thailand: 74 language groups• Indonesia: 719 language groups• Vietnam: 107 language groups(ethnologue.com)UNESCO Atlas of Endangered LanguagesReligious <strong>Diversity</strong>• Diverse World Views• Animism, Buddhism, Christianity (Catholicism),Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Traditional beliefs…

<strong>Diversity</strong> in ASEAN• History shapes diversity– Empires– Movement of peoples– Modern borders drawn across ethnic, linguistic, religiouslines• Geography shapes diversity– diverse landscapes and climates

Globalization and the power of English• Globalization process• Increased appeal of Englishand other internationallanguages: lingua franca Passport to the world Facilitate participation ininternational exchanges andtherefore in economicdevelopment

Is it a goodenough reason toforget aboutother languagesand cultures?

Why is it important to maintaincultural and linguistic diversity?1. Understanding diversity can contribute tofostering respect and tolerance2. <strong>Cultural</strong> and linguistic diversityencapsulates different types of knowledge3. <strong>Diversity</strong> fosters innovation and creativity,contributing to economic development4. <strong>Diversity</strong> contributes to sustainabledevelopment

Why is it important to maintaincultural and linguistic diversity?<strong>Diversity</strong> isenriching.Without<strong>Diversity</strong>, theworld would bea dull place.

Why is it important to maintain cultural andlinguistic diversity? …Understanding diversity cancontribute to fosteringrespect and toleranceOr is it the opposite …?

Why is it important to maintain cultural and linguistic diversity? …<strong>Diversity</strong> can contribute to intercultural dialogue• Becoming aware of cultural and linguisticdifferences allows to better understand and valuethese difference• Lack of understanding and respect for culturaldiversity can often lead to conflict

Why is it important to maintain cultural andlinguistic diversity? …<strong>Cultural</strong> and linguistic diversityencapsulates different types ofknowledgeand contributes to education

Why is it important to maintain cultural and linguistic diversity? …<strong>Diversity</strong> encapsulates knowledgeDiverse knowledge systems can complement each otherNatural Remedies for HIGH BLOOD PRESSUREIndonesia China USAJamu – traditionalhealing drink.Ingredients mayinclude flowers of lime,honey, ginger, palmsugar, cinnamonA combination ofAcupuncture andTraditional HerbsMagnesium (figs,legumes, limes…)Garlic, Cod-liver OilVariation of Jamuhealing Juice sold todayin the USA

Why is it important to maintain cultural and linguistic diversity? …Respect for linguistic diversity contributesto a better education

Research shows that mother tongue-based bilingualor multilingual (MTB-MLE) approaches have a positiveimpact on learning and learning outcomes.• Children are capable of acquiring2 or more languages in earlychildhood• Children who learn in theirmother-tongue for the first 6 -8years have better academicperformance and self-esteem

Benefits of Mother-Tongue BasedMultilingual Education (MTB-MLE)compared with monolingual education• Children receive a good foundation• Children perform better• Fewer children repeat grades/drop out• Children receive more family support• Cycles of exclusion are broken

Tools developed by UNESCOMultilingual Education Advocacy Toolkits and DVDs in regional languages

MTB-MLE Good practiceTimor LesteNew Mother Tongue‐Based Multilingual Education PilotProgram (Launched January 2012)Students in their T‐shirtswhich read: “I like using mymother tongue to learn”“In this village we think mother tongue‐based teaching isnecessary as it facilitates and bridges our children to theofficial languages” ‐ Village Chief, Lautem

MTB-MLE Good practiceSouthern Thailand:• 83% of the population speak Pattani-Malay• Region has decades of ethnic tension/conflict• Pilot projects for Bilingual Thai and Pattani-Malayeducation fosters community empowerment andsupports conflict reduction.Pattani-Malay children inMTB-MLE programme scored35 % higher on Thai languageexams than children intraditional Thai-onlyclassroom

Lessons Learned• Multilingual Education should be a priority. It is essential foreducational success in primary education• Children’s mother-tongue is important for their overall languageand cognitive development and their academic achievement

Why is it important to maintain cultural andlinguistic diversity? …<strong>Diversity</strong> fosters innovationand creativity, contributingto economic development

Why is it important to maintain cultural and linguistic diversity? …<strong>Diversity</strong> fosters innovation, creativityand economic opportunitiesASEAN countries areincreasingly embracingthe benefits of culturaland creative industries.Many governments have put inplace strategies and policies todevelop the creative economy.

Economic Opportunities: <strong>Cultural</strong> and CreativeIndustries in ASEANThailand is positioning itself as a hub for the creativeeconomy thus activating supply chains and markets forcultural and creative industries within Southeast Asia.Sales for 4 creativegoods/services in Thailand(Arts Media, <strong>Cultural</strong> Heritage,Functional Creation)Unit: Million Baht2003 2004 2005 2006678,837 736,038 789,089 840,621Source: National Accounts Office,NESDB (2008)In 2008, creative industries contributed about 10 percent ofThailand’s economy(Source: The Fiscal Policy Research Institute & Kenan Institute Asia. 2010)

Economic Opportunities: <strong>Cultural</strong> and CreativeIndustries in ASEANIndonesia: the Ministry of Trade has launched “Indonesia KreatifPortal” as an official information portal on the creative industry inIndonesia. It links creative actors, businessmen, andpolicymakers, for a more pro-active creative sector

Economic Opportunities: <strong>Cultural</strong> and CreativeIndustries in ASEANMalaysia: 2010 the “Year of Creativity and Innovation” topromote a new economic model based on innovation,creativity and high value-added activitiesGolden Bull Award: the mostprestigious and representativeannual business award in Malaysia,focused on "Triumph withCreativity and Innovation" in 2010,acknowledging the importance ofthe creative sector

Economic Opportunities: <strong>Cultural</strong> and CreativeIndustries in ASEANPhilippines: The thriving film industry culminates annuallyin the Metropolitan Manila Film Festival. For 2 weeks,movie theatres in Manila show ONLY local films.The 2011 Metro Manila Film Festivalgrossed US$12 millionSource: National Statistical Coordination Board(NASB)

Why is it important to maintain cultural and linguistic diversity? …<strong>Diversity</strong> fosters innovation and creativity throughcultural exchanges• Exchanges (artists, students, etc.)• Virtual discussions throughonline platforms• Festivals and concerts encourages joint creation,production and performance21 January 2011, Lao PDR"Samakhee ASEAN“ Concert(solidarity among ASEANcountries)

Fostering diversity through CreativityUNESCO’s 2005 Convention for the Protection andPromotion of the diversity of cultural expressionsAdopted - 20 October 2005Entered into force - 18 March 2007As of July 2012,121 Parties have ratifiedAsia-Pacific: 12 PartiesASEAN region: 4 Parties

Fostering diversity through CreativityKey message of the 2005 Convention• <strong>Cultural</strong> professionals, practitioners and all citizensworldwide have the right to create, produce, disseminateand enjoy a broad range of cultural goods, services andactivities• <strong>Cultural</strong> goods, services and activities have importanteconomic value, BUT they are not mere commodities orconsumer goods: they are also vehicles of identity, valuesand meaningance & Theatre Performances, Museum & Library Services,Films, Paintings, Photography, Festivals

Fostering diversity through Creativity• Developingpolicies for allstages of thecultural creationprocessCONSUMPTION /PARTICIPATIONCREATIONPRODUCTION• Acknowledgingthe importance ofinternationalcooperation andexchangesEXHIBITION/RECEPTION//TRANSMISSIONDISSEMINATION

Fostering diversity through CreativityUN Partnership Assistance Framework (2012-2016)• Joint Partnership on Creative Economy• 5 UN agencies, PM Office and relevant lineMinistries• 3 objectives1. Skills development2. Information and knowledge system3. Enabling environmentAligned with 11th National Economic and SocialDevelopment Plan (NESDP)’s priority: “To developknowledge-based economy and enablingenvironment”

Fostering diversity through Creativity• Critical need for internationally comparable statistics tomonitor the rich diversity of cultural goods, services andpractices.• 2009 Framework for <strong>Cultural</strong> Statistics

Fostering diversity through CreativityUNESCO helps Cambodia to develop policies forsupporting cultural industries, by focusing specificallyon the enhancing the role and capability of creatorsand artists.UN Joint Project:UNESCO,ILO, FAO and UNDP• <strong>Focus</strong> on handicraftscreated by indigenous andKhmer artisans.• To preserve and promoteCambodia’s culturalheritage• To improve artisans’livelihoods conditions

Fostering diversity through CreativityStrengthening the sustainability of creative industry inLao PDR.2010 Fang Mae Khong DanceFestival, Lao PDR• To assess the potential of theLao PDR creative sector• To create a baseline ofinformation for culturalindustries in Lao PDR.• To support the implementationof the 2005 Convention

Why is it important to maintain cultural andlinguistic diversity? …<strong>Diversity</strong> contributesto sustainable development

Sustainable development is intrinsically linkedto cultural diversity• Culture is a determining factorfor the relevance ofdevelopment interventions,often overlooked by policymakers and programme officers.• “One size fits all” developmentprogrammes do not reach themost vulnerable populations

The importance of cultural diversity starts beingacknowledged by the international communityThe MDGs (2000- 2015) do notinclude culturaldimensionsCulture is acknowledged asa priority in the upcomingSustainable DevelopmentGoals

Rio + 20 Outcome DocumentParagraph 41“We acknowledge the natural and culturaldiversity of the world and recognize that allcultures and civilizations can contribute tosustainable development.”

UNESCO Tools and platforms fordevelopment interventionsUNESCO Culture for developmentIndicator Suite• Research and advocacy toolto establish a set of indicatorshighlighting how culturecontributes to developmentat national level

UNESCO Tools and platforms fordevelopment interventionsUNESCO <strong>Cultural</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong> Lens• A practical tool to integrateculture in developmentprogramming• Guidelines to analyze thecultural context of a projectand make it more culturallyand linguistically appropriate• Objective: interventions arebetter designed and morelikely to be efficient

Minority Language Project against HIV and Traffickingin the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS)Producing culturally and linguisticallyappropriate materials in minoritylanguages to inform ethnic groups aboutHIV/AIDS, drugs, and human trafficking• Programmes written in the local languages, bynative speakers, not translated from English ora national language• Audio programmes in 13 minority languages• Video programmes in 2 minority languages© Vuthy Huot, UNESCOPlaying the CDsin Kreung villages,Cambodia

Minority Language Project against HIV and TraffickingAudience research with the Brao (Cambodia) Knowledge significantly increase after broadcastFemale Male TotalControl Post Control Post Control PostHow can you protect yourself from getting HIV/AIDS?Abstain from sex 16.67% 4% 19.05% 16.67% 17.65% 11.48%Remain faithful to your partner 10% 12% 4.76% 41.67% 7.84% 29.51%Use condoms properly 46.67% 52% 33.33% 77.78% 41.18% 67.21%Reduce number of sexual 6.67% 4% -- 5.56% 3.92% 4.92%partnersDon’t share needles 6.67% 56% 28.57% 30.56% 15.69% 40.98%Other (squat over infected 23.33% -- 4.76% 13.89% 15.69% 8.20%area)Don’t know 13.33% 4% 19.05% 2.78% 15.69% 3.28%Declined to answer -- 4% 4.76% -- 1.96% 1.64%

ASEAN and <strong>Cultural</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong>

<strong>Diversity</strong> in ActionJoint creation among ASEAN countriesASEAN Musical ExtravaganzaKuala Lumpur, March 2012

Commitment towardslanguage diversity1st ASEM Language <strong>Diversity</strong> Forum:Safeguarding and Promoting Language <strong>Diversity</strong> in Asiaand Europe Towards Sustainable DevelopmentJakarta, Indonesia, 4-5 SEPTEMBER 2012- Policies- Best practices- Strategies for protection and promotion- Role of media and ICT

Several ASEAN studies programmescontribute to research and exchanges• Indonesia: Centre for Southeast Asia Social Studies,Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta• Malaysia: Department of Southeast Asian Studies,University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur• Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies; AsiaResearch Institute, National University of Singapore• Thailand: Southeast Asian Studies Programmes,Chulalongkorn University; Thammasat University;Mahidol University• Vietnam: Department of Oriental Studies, Ho Chi MinhCity National University,

Declaration on ASEAN Unity in <strong>Cultural</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong>:Towards Strengthening ASEAN CommunityAdopted by the Arts and Culture Ministers17 November 201119 th ASEAN Summit, Bali, Indonesia• Promoting the ASEAN mindset• Protection, promotion and utilization of ASEAN <strong>Cultural</strong><strong>Diversity</strong>• Enhancement of cultural creativity and industry• Culture as a means towards an ASEAN caringand sharing society

The Challenge of2015 ASEAN Community• “<strong>Diversity</strong>” can be one ofthe strengths on which tobuild ASEAN• The challenge: cultivatingthis diversity while beingpolitically andeconomically unified.

Thank youDr. Tim CurtisUNESCO Bangkokwww.unescobkk.org/culture