International Decades of Indigenous Languages 2026

Digital Bridges, Living Voices : Empowering Indigenous Languages Through Technology for Future Generations.


Welcome to a two-day event examining how Cameroon’s indigenous languages can play a stronger role in learning, digital access and community wellbeing. As global institutions increasingly recognise the importance of language in shaping equitable development, this gathering creates a space where local expertise and international support can come together around shared priorities. Organized under the High Patronage of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, this national gathering underscores Cameroon’s commitment to strengthening linguistic diversity, digital inclusion, and community development.

Two Days to Reimagine How Languages, Technology, and Communities Shape Our Shared Future.

18 Feb
2026

10:00 AM
4:00 PM

SIL Cameroon OPEN HOUSE

Explore. Experience. Engage. 

Join us at the SIL Cameroon campus for an immersive open-door day showcasing how languages and technology can empower communities. Walk through interactive spaces, meet the teams, test the tools, and experience firsthand how language work transforms lives.

Program Highlights:
• Tech & Innovation Zone: digital tools, language apps, AI demos • Education & Literacy Lab: multilingual education solutions • Meet the Experts: linguists, researchers, consultants, and partners
• Tech compagnies' corner
• Conversations + Interviews   • Campus Tours + Media Corners

19 Feb
2026

8:00 AM
4:00 PM

IDIL Conference 
(Palais des Congrès)

Digital Bridges, Living Voices 

The event brings together a wide mix of people  from policymakers and researchers to community leaders, creators and industry professionals. Across these discussions, a common theme emerges: how digital tools and practical solutions can help local languages thrive while creating space for new ideas, services and collaborations. It’s an invitation for everyone, including businesses, to see where their work connects with community needs and long-term opportunities.
 Program Highlights:
• Official Opening Ceremony • Keynote Speeches & High-Level Panel • Tech & Research Presentations • Digital Solutions Exhibition • Presentation of the Book Writing Contest in local languages  • Partnership Dialogue Session

Why these two days matter ?

Cameroon’s linguistic diversity is one of our greatest strengths  yet many communities lack access to education,
digital resources, and recognition in the languages they value most.

1. From Vision to Practical Tools

These two days translate the global ambitions of IDIL into concrete action by showcasing SIL’s proven digital language tools such as FLEx, Bloom, and Keyman, that already enable communities to document, teach, and use their languages in real-life contexts.

2. Building Cross-Sector Collaboration

The event brings together linguists, technologists, policymakers, educators, and community leaders to break silos and form partnerships capable of scaling digital solutions for indigenous languages across Cameroon.

3. Securing a Place for Languages in the Digital World

Participants jointly explore and map the digital ecosystems apps, AI, social media, education platforms where Cameroon’s indigenous languages must exist to remain relevant and alive for future generations.

4. Ensuring Intergenerational Language Vitality

By combining technology, policy, and community ownership, these two days help lay sustainable pathways for transmitting indigenous languages across generations, ensuring they are not only preserved but actively used in the digital age.

62

Days

13

Hours

12

Minutes

53

Seconds

Mark your Calendar !

PARTNERS & ORGANIZERS

Under the High Patronage of the Prime Minister, Head of Government,

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