Photo of Plaza Bolívar en Bogota, Colombia by Daniele Pieroni and used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Colombia is linguistically diverse with more than 60 indigenous languages spoken by approximately 1 million people across the country. These living languages contain rich cultural traditions and knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Many indigenous communities face unique challenges as they seek to ensure that the next generation maintains their native languages. However, the rise of technology and the Internet has provided a special opportunity for communities to create new digital content in their native language, while connecting with others that share their same objective of language revitalization.

Internet users in Colombia actively utilizing the web and digital media tools to promote and revitalize their native languages online will have the opportunity to gather in Bogotá for a Gathering of Indigenous Language Digital Activism on June 18-19, 2015. This event, which is co-organized by Global Voices through its Rising Voices initiative, the Caro and Cuervo Institute, alongside research group Muysccubun with the support of Hivos, will bring together 15-18 participants from across Colombia to share experiences, learn and teach new digital skills, and take part in conversations about the challenges and strategies for indigenous language revitalization through the use of the Internet.

This event continues the work of the Indigenous Language Digital Activism network that started with a similar event held in Oaxaca, Mexico, in October 2014, when 25 digital activists from across Mexico came together to share their digital projects and connect with one another.

Please visit the open call for participants for more information about the event. Interested individuals can submit their applications using the online form. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 21:00 Colombian time. Partial and full scholarships are available to help pay for travel and accommodation costs for participants that live outside of the Bogota metro area.