New Delhi, India – In a significant recognition of his unwavering dedication to indigenous rights and linguistic preservation, Dr. Anabel Benjamin Bara, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi, Government of India, has been re-appointed as the Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Global Task Force for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) 2022-2032 by UNESCO for a second term, spanning 2025-2027. Two Co-Chairs Mr. Paul Pelletier, Assistant Deputy Minister,Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada and Professor Wiseman Magwa, Language Professor, Faculty of Education, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, are from UN Member States, and one of the Co-Chairs Mr. Lounes Belkacem, African Indigenous Peoples Network, Africa region, is from representatives of Indigenous Peoples’ institutions and organisations.
Dr. Bara previously held this esteemed position from 2022-2024.This re-appointment marks a historic moment as Dr. Bara, an Oraon tribal from Gumla district of Jharkhand, is the first tribal from India to be elected from Asia by Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Peoples Organisations to co-chair such a prestigious global platform at UNESCO. His continued leadership underscores the growing international focus on the critical need to preserve and promote the world's indigenous languages. Dr. Bara's extensive involvement with indigenous communities at national, regional, and international levels has been a cornerstone of his career. As a passionate advocate, he has tirelessly worked towards preserving, protecting, and promoting indigenous/tribal languages, culture, traditions, and rights. His influence extends to various United Nations platforms, where he has represented indigenous peoples at the UN-General Assembly, UN-Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO), UN-Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), UN-Expert Mechanism on Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNEMRIP), and in discussions concerning the UN-Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and meetings with the UN-Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
During his inaugural term as Co-Chair of the Global Task Force, Dr. Bara was instrumental in spearheading initiatives aimed at reviving and revitalizing indigenous languages globally. His commitment to digital inclusion for indigenous communities is further highlighted by his pioneering appointment as the first tribal to co-chair the Adhoc Group "Digital Equality and
Domains," a vital component of the Global Task Force for IDIL. Academically, Dr. Bara brings a rich and diverse background to his roles. He holds a PhD from the prestigious XLRI, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, and is a qualified lawyer. Prior to joining FMS, University of Delhi, he served as an Additional Personal Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs and as a Social Scientist at the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi. At FMS, he contributes his expertise by teaching subjects such as Business Ethics, Business Sustainability, Business Law, and
Entrepreneurship, integrating his deep understanding of societal and ethical considerations into management education. Dr. Bara's re-appointment is a testament to his profound impact and dedication, offering renewed hope and direction for the global efforts to safeguard indigenous linguistic and cultural heritage.
