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Language Education
reinforces the work of the Organization in favour of linguistic
and cultural diversity and multilingual education. Language education
is one of the fundamental aspects of personal development and languages
are the main vehicle for educational and teaching activities. Science
cannot advance if specialised vocabularies are not developed. Changes
in communication call for the development of multilingual education.
Languages are a manifestation of and a vehicle for all cultures,
and for many communities, the only means of expressing and transmitting
their intangible heritage. It is also impossible to work towards
the culture of peace without being concerned about languages.
The main
activities of Language Education are:
- to develop actions
in the fields of multilingual education and language teaching,
such as the preparation of language teaching material;
- to support the action
of Member States in preparing and implementing language policies
designed to promote language teaching. Support is also provided
to promote language rights as an integral part of human rights;
- to publicise periodically
a Report on our universal linguistic heritage (see box)
The “Advisory
Committee for Linguistic Pluralism and Multilingual Education”,
set up by UNESCO’s Executive Board at its 155th session, is
made up of 12 experts who advise the Organisation on its activities
in the fields of linguistic pluralism and multilingual education.
Mrs Vigdis Finnbogadottir, former President of the Republic of Iceland
(1980-1996) and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Languages since 1998,
assists the Languages Division and its ‘Advisory Committee
for Linguistic Pluralism and Multilingual Education’, in all
activities relating to languages.
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