International Decade Research Articles

Native American and Indigenous Language Practices and Politics

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the years between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages in an attempt to promote language “preservation, revitalization and promotion.” Such statements convey more than advocacy; they also convey complex politics and histories surrounding settler-colonial and Indigenous encounters through, with, and for Indigenous languages and community practices. What will those encounters look and sound like at the end of the decade? This review traces trajectories toward possible outcomes and political configurations.

Simulations of IDCR and SOWER Antarctic minke whale abundance surveys

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) conducted abundance line‐transect surveys of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) during the International Decade of Cetacean Research (IDCR) between 1978/79 and 2003/04. These surveys continued throughout 2004/05–2009/10 under the Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (SOWER) programme. Several methods used to analyse these data resulted in very different abundance estimates. In order to evaluate the accuracy of these methods, the IWC Scientific Committee recommended using simulated line‐transect data. The software package TRANSIM was therefore modified to generate simulated line‐transect data that emulated an IDRC/SOWER survey in a study area populated with whales that followed the distribution, density and behaviour of Antarctic minke whales. Simulations incorporated factors that could potentially bias resulting abundance estimates, and in order to investigate the effects of these factors on the resulting abundance estimates, simulated datasets were generated for different scenarios, each of which incorporated combinations of factors that were chosen using the mirror‐image fold‐over partial factorial method that is designed to identify factors related to biased estimates. This paper describes the programme used to generate these datasets and reports on the robustness of the statistical methods applied to analyse them. In addition, a brief discussion is included on how this information was used when the actual line‐transect data were analysed. The statistical methods investigated were the hazard probability method (OK), integrated hazard probability method (IM), spatial point independence method (SPL) and standard method. After developers analysed the simulated data, they used this information to improve their analytical methods. The results reported here focus on the performance of the most advanced versions of the OK and SPL methods compared with the standard method as of 2009. In general, SPL estimates of group density were negatively biased, OK estimates were positively biased, standard estimates were the most negatively biased and IM estimates were the least biased. Density estimates from SPL were less biased than estimates from OK in the complex scenarios that contained spatial gradients and correlations between density, location and weather conditions. The OK method was less robust when: (1) closing‐mode data collection procedures were simulated; (2) whale groups were diving in a non‐synchronous fashion; and (3) there were complex spatial patterns. In almost every case, the density estimates from the OK method were greater than the SPL methods, on average by 10–15%. These observations assisted the development of more robust analysis methods and highlighted which factors should be addressed when analysing the actual data.

IWC Database-Estimation and Software System

The International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) Database‐Estimation and Software System (DESS) was designed to standardise IWC line‐transect survey data storage and streamline abundance estimation, including abundance estimation by small management area to inform decision making. Not only was DESS designed to accommodate all International Decade of Cetacean Research (IDCR) and Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (SOWER) surveys, but also national surveys, such as the Japanese surveys in the Antarctic and North Pacific, and multi‐national surveys conducted in the North Atlantic. The standard software for estimating abundance was program Distance, which could estimate abundance in designed survey blocks, however, management procedures required estimation not just in survey blocks but also in smaller regions that could be defined by the user. This added a spatial component to data selection which led to the inclusion of a geographical information system (GIS). This paper describes the data stored in DESS and the features available for data retrieval and analysis.

Defining migrants

Abstract In contemplating multilingualism and mobility in the 21st century, several dimensions warrant attention in the emerging field of migration linguistics. First is the move beyond migration to thinking about mobilities, in particular, the new mobilities paradigm in the social sciences which views human mobility as entailing a complex assemblage of movement, social imaginaries, and experience. Second, a study of the different waves of migration in a particular society, as well as concomitant and official language policies – using Singapore as a case in point – distinguishes the layers of, on the one hand, the older, and thus established migrants, versus newer migrants, in particular, transient populations of foreign workers, and, crucially, the differential statuses that these communities and their languages hold in society – including a potential invisibility of authentic multilingualisms. Such an examination allows the development of a typology of migrants in a statal narrative. Where lines are drawn is dependent on circumstance, with the periphery positioned differentially in times of celebration versus crisis, for example, in risk communication in this pandemic era. This holds significant implications for access and appropriation, and consequent (im)mobilities, and, in the bigger picture, for the crucial intersections – including how society is responding to the role of indigenous languages for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This is particularly timely for this International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), noted to not be addressing the interactions between language and migration, as well as the challenge of migrant intergration, recognised as a central and important driver of sustainable development.

The United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent: Reflections, Challenges, and Future Directions

The United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent: Reflections, Challenges, and Future Directions

Science as a Global Public Good

Abstract In December 2023, the International Science Council (ISC) appointed 100 new Fellows, in recognition of outstanding contributions to promoting science as a global public good. Among them is former IUPAC President, now Past President, Professor Javier García Martínez, and former Bureau member Professor Ghada Bassioni. The Fellowship is the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual by the ISC. Together with the 123 individuals that were appointed in 2022, the new ISC Fellows will support the ISC Council in its mission at a critical moment for science and sustainability for science as we enter the UN’s International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) in 2024.

The SOWER programme in the Antarctic: Background, aims and objectives

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) imposed limits on the catch of Antarctic minke whales close to the start of commercial whaling in the 1970s. These management efforts were hampered by the challenge of obtaining robust estimates of population size. Contemporary whale assessments largely relied on measuring changes in availability as a result of exploitation – usually catch per unit effort (CPUE). However, this approach was largely impractical for Antarctic minke whales due to: (a) the short time series of CPUE data; (b) the setting of relatively conservative catch limits, so that changes in CPUE due to exploitation were difficult to detect; and (c) the possibility that abundance had been increasing before this time due to over‐exploitation of other baleen whales. The IWC initiated a series of assessment cruises in 1978 designed to obtain abundance estimates for targeted management areas in the Antarctic. Designed by the IWC’s Scientific Committee, these cruises were independent of whaling operations. The vessels were chartered whale catchers provided by Japan for the duration of the programme – and by the Soviet Union for a period of seven years. With the eventual participation of 86 scientists from 16 IWC member states, this programme became a key part of the International Decade of Cetacean Research (IDCR), launched in 1975 as a response to the 1972 Stockholm Resolution that called for a 10‐year moratorium on commercial whaling and the intensification of research efforts. While originally planned as ‘Discovery’ marking and sighting cruises, the programme eventually relied almost exclusively on sighting methods. Lasting over 30 years and involving three circumnavigations of the Southern Ocean, it became one of the largest whale monitoring exercises ever undertaken.

An Educational Gaze From the International Union of Soil Sciences

A lack of fertile soil is already a serious problem due to its role in access to sufficient food and water, but more serious are the social situations that its deficit engenders: loss of food safety and public health, poverty, displacement, inequality, violence, and injustice as a result of famine. The loss and degradation of the soil resource means the loss of all terrestrial flora, and with it, that of the fauna that it feeds. It also means a terrible loss of biodiversity at the planetary level, a serious destruction of the food chain of which we are a part, as well as the reduction of its capacities of available water reserve and C capture to lessen climate change in the long term and with immediate effects. In this context, the protection of the soil resource and an interdisciplinary and innovative education and practice of sciences to raise citizens’ awareness of the importance of its preservation—with all the sciences collaborating as a team in a mediatized world—are keys to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and therefore, are the long-term goals and prioritized objectives of the International Decade of Soils of the IUSS, and they form the basis of its educational project.

The Status of Indigenous Peoples in International Law

Introduction. The International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) was proclaimed in 2022 by the UN system. Thus, the problem of indigenous peoples acquires increased relevance in international law. At the same time, the definition of the concept of “indigenous peoples” has not yet been developed in UN law. Identification of the characteristic features of this category has become the task of the study. Methods. General scientific and special methods for legal science, primarily formal legal analysis, underlie the methodology used. Theoretical conclusions are supported by examples of international judicial practice. Results. Specific features of indigenous peoples as a special subject of international human rights law are shown in the article. The author proposes to create a special international legal regime for the protection of those indigenous peoples who are endangered. Discussion and Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, a number of conclusions were drawn. The author considers the most significant: three features can be considered generally recognized. The only special feature (compared to the features of the generic category – the people in international law) is the original, historical connection with the territory of residence. The geographical area in which this people or their ancestor lived during the period of its conquest or colonization, or during the establishment of existing state borders, is proposed to be understood as the territory of the indigenous people. The notion of indigenous peoples as exclusively post-colonial or as not emerging from the stage of tribal development, is subject to criticism as discriminatory. The special qualities of indigenous peoples, primarily civilizational (ethnic) identity, must be protected by the norms of international law.

Actions of three indigenous women from Pataxó, Kokama and Kaingang ethnicities in the international decade of indigenous languages

This article discusses how three Brazilian indigenous women from Pataxó, Kaingang and Kokama ethnicities are thinking and acting in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, declared by UNESCO to be celebrated between the years 2022 to 2032, aiming to draw attention to the resumption, revitalization, preservation and dissemination of indigenous languages which are at risk of extinction. The text provides a brief history of the indigenous languages existing in Brazil, as well as reports on the work of Anari Braz Bomfim (on the resumption of the Pataxó language), Altaci Corrêa Rubim (on the creation of places where the languages of the peoples of the Amazon can be studied and vitalized) and Márcia Nascimento Kaingang (about the revitalization of the Kaingang language). The methodology for writing the text was that of bibliographical research in print, digital and audiovisual media, where deeds and thoughts of each indigenous leader were collected. Finally, considerations are made about what is being done and planned in favor of the indigenous languages of Brazil and what is expected from the future.

An International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development

Abstract On Friday, 25 August 2023, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2024-2033 as the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development.

Repositioning Earthquake Risk Reduction: Implications to Global Risk Landscape

Concepts and approaches of earthquake risk reduction have evolved over time. The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 has paved the pathway of this long journey. 1995 the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake has taught the importance of self help and mutual help in terms of community participation, volunteer activities, and role of civil society. In the first international decade of disaster risk reduction, two landmark earthquake risk reduction projects, namely risk assessment tools for diagnosis of urban areas against seismic disaster (RADIUS) and global earthquake safety initiative (GESI) have made significant impacts to scenraio-based risk assessment, and raising awareness of local governments mainly in developing countries to undertake decisive actions. The Kutch Earthquake of 2001 of India has prompted the need of owner driven reconstruction (ODR), which is considered inclusive as well as sustainable in long run. While the pre-disaster preventive measures for earthquake risks are challenging, the new complex global risk landscape poses additional challenges which need to be addressed to reposition earthquake risk reduction. It is argued that addressing systemic risks, active involvement of private sectors, role of new and emerging technologies, understanding priorities of new generation, and role of new entrepreneurship (in the form of Science-preneurship) are some of the future pathways to address the complexity of earthquake risk reduction.

International Decade of Indigenous Languages: the history of formation, legal framework, implementation mechanisms

Introduction. The main objective of this article is to study the historical and legal aspects of the establishment of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, as well as to analyze international instruments, establishing the legal framework and mechanisms for the implementation of the Decade. Materials and Methods. The research methods are based on a system approach. The general research (system, analysis and synthesis) and subject specific methods of knowledge (historical, formal-legal) were applied during the research. The main international legal instruments for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages were used. This article explored a wide range of regulatory sources. Results and Discussion. The article considers the historical stages of formation and development of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, gives an overview of international legal documents and normative legal acts of the Russian Federation, which constitute the legal framework for the implementation of the Decade. The article also considers the main mechanisms of management, coordination and implementation of the Decade, among which are the following: UNESCO, Global Task Force providing strategic guidance and oversight in the areas of planning, implementation and monitoring of progress towards the goals set by the Global Plan of Action. This document provides a strategic framework, describes the main actions and guidelines for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the activities of the UN, national governments, indigenous peoples’ organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector and others. Conclusion. The author concludes that, at the level of the international community, there is a rather serious understanding of the need to preserve and develop languages, the realization of the linguistic rights of indigenous peoples, The International Decade of Indigenous Languages will contribute to this end. The Decade provides a unique opportunity to introduce additional support measures, including by reforming national legislation, language training, digital language development, etc.

Connecting Spaces: Linguistics and Psychoanalysis About Cross-Cultural Studies and Problems of Translation: Materials of All-Russian Scientific Webinar with International Participation on the Problems of Social and Human Sciences (28 January 2023)

On January 28, 2023, the IV meeting of the All-Russian Scientific webinar “Connecting Spaces” with international participation took place. Two reports were presented for discussion. The report “The Russian Federation in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages” was made by L. A. Ulyanitskaya and A. A. Shumkov. L. A. Ulyanitskaya reported that 155 indigenous languages are represented in Russia, but some of them are on the verge of extinction. Based on the analysis of successful cases of the revival of indigenous languages taking place in the world practice, the speakers proposed a number of measures to change the situation in Russia. A. A. Shumkov described the problems and historical dynamics of the Baltic-Finnish languages in the North-West of Russia, pointed out its connection with the policy of the Russian state at different stages of its existence, gave a characteristic the current state of languages and linked the content of the report with the problems of translation. J. V. Kosheleva in her report “Unbearable ease of translation in psychoanalysis”, referring to the history of the development of the ideas of psychoanalysis, described a number of mechanisms of the human psyche and psychoanalytic techniques of influencing it, showed the proximity of the subject area of linguistics and psychoanalysis. This perspective allowed the participants of the webinar to see the problem of the resurrection of the “fallen asleep” language not only as a socio-cultural one, usually affecting only the aspect of creating external conditions for the salvation of endangered languages, but as a psycholinguistic one, which implies taking into account intrapsychic processes.

Goals, progress and priorities from Mar del Plata in 1977 to New York in 2023

The United Nations (UN) 1977 Water Conference at Mar del Plata (MDP) sought to avoid a water crisis of global dimensions by 2000 and to ensure an adequate supply of good-quality water to meet socio-economic needs. While much has been achieved, the MDP goals are not yet realized. Unsafe, or perceived to be unsafe, drinking water still affects at least two billion people, unsafe sanitation affects more than four billion people, and billions face severe water scarcity for at least part of the year. At the mid-point of the 2018–2028 International Decade for Action, Water for Sustainable Development, the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York City offers a unique opportunity to review progress on global water goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Sustainable Development Goal 6 and its targets. Here we document the global goals and progress from MDP to New York City and highlight priorities to deliver on the MDP goals and beyond. This Perspective reviews key water-related goals and progress achieved since the first UN Water Conference in Mar del Plata (1977) and highlights three priorities for the second UN Water Conference in New York (2023).

Generalised additive models to investigate environmental drivers of Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) spatial density in austral summer

There is a need to characterise the physical environment associated with Antarctic minke whale density in order to understand long-term changes in minke whale distribution and density in open waters of the Southern Ocean during austral summer months. To investigate environmental drivers of Antarctic minke whale density, generalised additive models (GAMs) were developed, based on line transect data collected for the International Decade of Cetacean Research (IDCR) and Southern Ocean Whale Ecosystem Research (SOWER) programmes. The GAMs were fitted independently by survey year. Explained deviances ranged from 14.9% to 35.1%. Most models included covariates related to transition zones, such as distances to the continental shelf break and sea ice edge, both of which showed a predominantly negative relationship with whale density. This study suggests high variability in the relationships between Antarctic minke whale density and the environment. None of the selected covariates had a consistent qualitative relationship with density at either the circumantarctic or the regional scale. This in part may be explained by the changing ice-related boundaries of the surveys between years and hence differences in survey region. Another possible reason is that in absence of better data, most of the covariates considered were derived from remote sensing data. More localised surveys with comparable survey area conducted across the Southern Ocean, where whale sightings data are collected simultaneously with in situ non-biotic and prey data, are likely to provide a better assessment of the environmental determinants of whale density.

Introduction: African International Migration to the West: Insights from Canada, Australia and Nigeria

Introduction: African International Migration to the West: Insights from Canada, Australia and Nigeria

Desalination of brackish groundwater using self-regeneration hybrid ion exchange and reverse osmosis system (HSIX-RO)

The United Nations International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development (2018–2028) recognized the importance of water to sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and hunger. It voiced alarm over the worsening of issues such as access to clean water, water scarcity, and wastewater as a result of increasing populations and altered climates. One of the most promising solutions to the water shortage is desalination, which can increase the available water supply beyond the currently possible limit. In this study, we analyze the performance of a unique hybrid self-regeneration ion exchange and reverse osmosis (HSIX-RO) system for the desalination of brackish groundwater. In the pretreatment step for protecting RO membrane fouling, the traditional homogenized strong acid cation exchanger (Purolite C100) and shallow shell structured strong acid cation exchanger (Purolite SSTC65) were compared for their efficiency in removing hardness cations from brackish groundwater. The fixed-bed column study concluded that C100 and SSTC65 can treat brackish water containing 250 mg L−1 Ca2+ and 10,000 mg L−1 NaCl at approximately 80 and 76 bed volumes (BVs), respectively. Studying the efficiency of RO system, it has % RO recovery of >70 % at an optimized pressure of 120 psi. An upscale self-regeneration ion exchange and RO system, i.e., HSIX-RO, that can be applied for a pilot-scale study was proposed. This proposed study suggested that HSIX-RO can be suited for the desalination of brackish groundwater with minimum use of an additional salt and can be self-sustained using an automated control. It was noted that the HSIX-RO system cannot be effectively applied to groundwater (TDS < 5000 mg L−1) nor seawater (TDS > 30,000 mg L−1) contained high Ca2+ and Mg2+ due to low regeneration efficiency and short length service runs, respectively.

The politics of fear and the suppression of Indigenous language activism in Asia: Prospects for the United Nations’ Decade of Indigenous Languages

This article discusses how state suppression of human rights activism and restrictions on civil society are likely to impact the implementation of the United Nations’ International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032, hereafter “the Decade”). We focus on China, India, and Indonesia, the three most populous and linguistically diverse countries in Asia. Drawing on a range of reports from human rights organizations and materials from academic literature, we argue that increasing attacks on human rights defenders and restrictions on civil society are likely to pose serious challenges to the implementation of the Decade in these countries. We situate this argument within broader debates about human rights advocacy and state repression, and draw on Guzel Yusupova’s arguments about the politics of fear and minority language mobilization to suggest that intensifying state repression of human rights is likely to prevent new forms of Indigenous language advocacy from emerging during the Decade.

Expanding the scope of planetary health education: the International Decade of Indigenous Languages

Expanding the scope of planetary health education: the International Decade of Indigenous Languages