Andina

Peru reiterates commitment to indigenous peoples with native language decree

ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia

17:29 | Lima, Aug. 9.

The passing of the National Policy for Native Languages, Oral Tradition and Interculturalism reaffirms the Peruvian Government's commitment to reaching out to all citizens, Peruvian Culture Minister Salvador del Solar affirmed on Wednesday.

Speaking during the enactment of the said policy, Del Solar highlighted measures taken by President Kuczynski's administration in favor of indigenous peoples, like the launch of the first newscast in Quechua and the inclusion of self-identification of ethnicity in the coming national census.

"Today, on the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, […] this government is glad and proud to present the National Policy for Native Languages, Oral Tradition and Interculturalism," the government official affirmed. 


Del Solar noted the government thus acknowledges all of its citizens should be progressively catered for regardless of their mother tongue.
 
"We must guarantee their [indigenous languages'] intergenerational continuity; we must reinforce and develop them so they are also present in mass media and our cultural industries."

Lastly, Del Solar assured the newly-enacted policy would contribute to enhancing the quality and effectiveness of public services, helping preserve cultural legacies and thus prevent discrimination

"Today, we tell our brothers from 55 indigenous peoples and the 47 languages spoken in our country: we think about you, and we will carry on working for you," he concluded. 



(END) LZD/MAO/DHT/MVB


Published: 8/9/2017