UNESCO celebrates the 11th International Mother Language Day
The International Mother Language Day (IMLD), proclaimed in November 1999 by the General UNESCO conference, enters the 11th year of celebrating cultural diversity, multilingualism and promoting linguistic diversity. This year, the International Mother Language Day is held on February 21 with numerous small and medium-size events all over the world.
Being in the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, the IMLD finds a suitable framework and background for activities of all kinds. UNESCO invites to the International Symposium on Translation and Cultural Mediation in Paris, a two-day event on February 22-23 to highlight the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, multilingual education, presentations on UNESCO's language activities and outline new approaches to multilingualism. The event is open to the public, and interpreting services are available in several languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English and Spanish. More information on the programme, speakers and reservation is available here.
If no events are held in your area, or if you can't make it this year celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity with your friends and family! It is something that is in this world with us at all times, and should be cherished by all governments, businesses and individuals alike.
Read more about the Symposium on Translation and Cultural Mediation at UNESCO
Read more about the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
