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International Mother Language Day
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EDUCATION Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Education
MESSAGE
UNESCO's Director-General on the fifth anniversary of International Mother Language Day. More - Arabic | Chinese | French | Spanish | Russian
CELEBRATION
. Programme
. Speech of UNESCO Director-General, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura
. Exhibition
Previous Celebrations
· 2003
· 2002
· 2001
· 2000
DOWNLOAD THE POSTER
International Mother Language Day 2004

 

 


Did you know?

- Half of the world’s 6000 to 7000 languages are in danger of extinction.

- International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on February 21, aims to promote the recognition and practice of the world’s mother tongues, particularly minority ones.

- UNESCO member states are helping to protect and revitalize our rich cultural diversity by promoting languages as a means of communication, interaction and understanding among different peoples.

- This year, UNESCO Headquarters plays host to a unique exhibition of children’s exercise books from around the world illustrating the process by which children learn and master the use of written literacy skills in the classroom.

- The Organization will continue to promote multilingualism through its educational and cultural programmes to protect the world’s oral and intangible heritage.

IN FOCUS
The mother-tongue dilemma
Educators are increasingly convinced of the value of multilingual education, and studies show that children learn better in their mother tongue.UNESCO's Education Today newsletter No.6 highlights how emotional this whole issue is and outlines the huge political and economic obstacles.
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More
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

. UNESCO and Multilingualism
. Atlas of World Languages in Danger of Disappearing
.Writing Unwritten Languages, A Guide.
Dossier - The mother-tongue dilemma Education Today newsletter, July - September, 2003, -

FACTS AND FIGURES
· Did you know?

· Resolution on Mother Language Day (1999)

WEBSITES
· Cultural & Linguistic Diversity in Education

. Endangered Languages
· Selected websites

 
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