International Mother Language Day
Date: 21 February
The International Mother Language Day is being observed every year in UNESCO’s Member States and at its Headquarters to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
Languages are at the very heart of UNESCO’s objectives. They are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage.
All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to development fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
Links
- UNESCO Press Release – 21.02.2000 International Mother Language Day Celebrated for the First Time
- Implementation of a language policy for the world based on multilingualism (Resolution 12 of UNESCO’s 30th General Conference)
- Draft recommendation on the promotion and use of multilingualism and universal access to cyberspace (Resolution 37 of UNESCO’s 30th General Conference)
- Initiative B@bel
- UNESCO Linguapax : a UNESCO project which aims at promoting a culture of peace through the promotion of multilingual education and the respect for linguistic diversity
