Illustration by David Canul (Pájaro Toj) for Rising Voices.

Rising Voices note: Our monthly newsletter provides a summary of our recent blog posts about all aspects of digital inclusion including access to and adoption of digital tools, as well as different ways and opportunities for communities to fully participate online. Read here for previous editions of this newsletter.

Hello readers, how is this June treating you? Anything worth sharing? We’ve got one!

Starting in May, ten emerging language digital activists from the Mexican states of Chiapas, Quintana Roo and Yucatan have joined us in the 2022 Mayan Languages Digital Activism Fellowship Program, for an eight-month long journey. During this period, they will be participating in a peer learning process, focusing on developing skills that’ll help carry forward their own community projects.

Want to hear more about their experiences and progress? How about starting here and staying tuned for later updates?

Embarking on the IDIL2022–2032 journey with language activists from around the world, Rising Voices and partners are bringing to you another round of our rotating Twitter campaigns. Curious about indigenous, minority, endangered, or under-resourced languages plus how the internet and technology play a role in their promotion and revitalization? Come follow us and hear what our guest hosts have to share!

@ActLenguas (Latin America)

• Edy Benajmín López Castillo [es] on Jakalteko/Popti’ (a Mayan language), spoken in Guatemala
• Comunidad Elotl [es] on language technologies and their applications to minority languages, featuring some collaborators of their virtual community and their work around various regional languages
• Marcos Pech [es] on maayat’aan (a Mayan language), native to Mexico and Belize
• Felipe H. López [es] on Zapotec, spoken in Mexico
• Luis Flores [en] [es] on Tének, spoken in Mexico

@AsiaLangsOnline (Asia)

• Satdeep Gill on Punjabi, native to the Punjab region of Pakistan and India
• Bali Nangavulan on Bunun, spoken in Taiwan
• Zaman Sagar on Gawri, spoken in Pakistan

@DigiAfricanLang (Africa)

• Shagz Chronicles on Kikuyu (a Bantu language), spoken mainly in Kenya
• Siki Dlanga on the South African Indigenous Languages Action Forum (aka ILAF) and its supportive role of regional efforts in promoting indigenous languages
• Lucy Chinyeaka Iwuala on Igbo, native to Nigeria
• El Hadji Ibrahima DIAGO on Wolof, widely spoken in Senegal

@EuroDigitalLang (Europe)

• Artyom Malykh on Udmurt, spoken in Udmurtia (an autonomous republic of Russia)
• Inaciu Galán on Asturian, native to Asturias (Spain)
• Academie du Gallo on Gallo, a recognized minority language in Brittany (France), and their work in its promotion
• Eylem Bostanci on Laz, an endangered language of Turkey

Was your community caught off guard when the pandemic forced us online to have our basic needs met, like never before? Do you want to help bring your community up to speed, for the future where affordable connection becomes an essential part of our lives? The NTEN’s Digital Inclusion Fellowship is seeking to support committed fellows in bridging digital divides across the U.S. Application due: June 24, 2022

Aspiring to tell better stories of Africa, in a way that truly engages your audience who lives in it? In partnership with Africa No Filter, Thomson Foundation is offering a self-paced course which will not only teach you how to do that but also help bring your stories to a young, mobile-first audience across Africa. For course description and related details, please see here.

Calling on undergraduate and graduate students around the world: What would you say to take on some of the pressing challenges of our time, teaming up with young entrepreneurs like yourself? The Fishbowl Challenge is inviting you to join forces on bringing about social changes with the power of technology! Competition details can be found here. Application due: June 18, 2022

Running an Africa-based SME or startup that aims to deliver digital solutions for positive social impact in the region? You are invited to take part in the 2022 Africa Digital Innovation Competition! To learn more, please go here. Application due: June 30, 2022

Working for a nonprofit that seeks to make an impact through education, entrepreneurship, or workforce development? Team4Tech is looking to support organizations like yours with technology solutions and training to help take your mission to the next level. Further details on this partnership opportunity can be found here. Application due: July 1, 2022

• What is the WCAG & how does it apply to you? via InclusionHub
• Women and the internet: A cool space until it isn’t via Paradigm Initiative

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