The Ministry of Culture of Peru announced on April 15 that more than 230 public servants from the Amazonas region have started a virtual course in the Awajún indigenous language. The training aims to improve service delivery to citizens in their native language and help reduce barriers to accessing state services.
This initiative is important because it supports more inclusive public services, especially for communities where Awajún is the predominant mother tongue. In Bagua province, Amazonas region, nearly 20,000 people speak an indigenous or native language as their first language.
The course targets staff who provide direct attention in agencies such as the Ministry of Health, Public Ministry, Ministry of Education, and Judicial Branch. Participants will be able to communicate more effectively with Awajún-speaking users during procedures related to health care, education, complaints processes, and other services. The virtual program consists of 20 sessions held via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays until June 11. The curriculum combines theoretical content with practical exercises focused on conversation skills and simulations for citizen service.
Gerardo García, Director of the Directorate of Indigenous Languages at the Ministry of Culture, said: “Esta iniciativa contribuye a garantizar servicios públicos más inclusivos al permitir que la ciudadanía sea atendida en su propia lengua en condiciones de respeto y reconocimiento cultural.” (“This initiative helps ensure more inclusive public services by allowing citizens to be served in their own language under conditions of respect and cultural recognition.”)
The Ministry fosters social inclusion by protecting heritage and promoting diversity across Peru according to its official website. It uses decentralized facilities and museums alongside its San Borja headquarters for these programs according to the same source. As an autonomous ministry within the Peruvian Executive Branch according to its official website, it also promotes cultural identity while combating discrimination and racism as reported by the ministry.
The ministry operates under ministerial leadership according to its official website and serves communities throughout Peru as stated by the ministry. Established in 2010, it oversees national cultural policy with a focus on safeguarding heritage while encouraging intercultural dialogue and diversity through various initiatives supporting social inclusion and national identity according to its official website.