"With colonisation came the deliberate subversion of these languages, " said Dr Bill Fogarty from the National Centre for Indigenous Studies at the Australian National University.

BBC: Lost indigenous language revived in Australia

According to recent studies, indigenous Mexicans have an average of 4.6 schooling years compared to a mean of 7.9 years among non-indigenous people.

UNESCO: Bilingual Literacy for Life

The event included presentations by indigenous peoples of case studies where community-based knowledge complements and advances current scientific understandings, while sustaining cultural integrity and fulfilling local needs.

UNESCO: THEMES