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Showing posts with the label indigenous language

Mother Tongue, Identity and Inclusion

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The simple fact that we pick up our mother tongue effortlessly signals the importance of secure motherhood in the construction of our identity. With #family-friendly policies, we can empower mothers to build social cohesion and mentally #healthy communities.  #MotherLanguageDay Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

National Integration: Many Languages, One Voice

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One of the things I was delighted to experience during my graduate internship at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) was the practicality of united diversity. If my memory serves me right, behind my desk was an European and by my right was a Cameroonian, while on the left was an Asian who did not compromise weekly karate classes. In front of my desk there was a row of Africans and Latinos.  Outside of my workspace, I worked closely with a uniquely meticulous Ugandan in furtherance of my assigned projects. The Indian lady down one hallway could graciously adorn her signature sari and forehead dot, and a Kenyan consultant looked ever so gorgeous in her native attires and beaded accessories.   Everyone could just be present to add value to the broad unifying objectives of the workplace community. Here is my bottom line: the United Nations system presents a model of what is plausible when people with varied ethnic nationalities, native penchant, and skills cooperate to achieve un