10/10/2025
12:00 - 13:00
IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion - R1
, Morning
Why attend
What connects the threatened worlds of linguistic and biological diversity? How - and why - tackle these existential challenges together? Join this cutting-edge discussing with leading academics, activists and practitioners; explore how it relates to local and global goals; and learn how to increase the impact of your conservation work.
Session Description
Of 6,700 languages spoken worldwide, 40% are endangered. Globally, an indigenous language is lost every two weeks. With each lost language, an entire world disappears. The parallels are evident between the decline in linguistic diversity and the threats to biodiversity. The declines are also deeply connected.This session is a timely exploration of the connection between linguistic diversity and biodiversity conservation through peer-to-peer exchange involving Indigenous and non-Indigenous area specialists. Participants will deepen their understanding of the role of linguistic diversity in Article 8j of the KM-GBF, the Joint Programme of Work on the links between cultural and biological diversity, and the role of biodiversity in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
We will first briefly explore the ‘What’ and the ‘Why’ of the topic, before engaging in peer-to-peer experiences around the all-important ‘How’: how can biodiversity conservationists incorporate, advance and benefit from linguistic diversity?
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