International Year of Languages (2008)
In accordance with a UNESCO resolution, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2008 to be the International Year of Languages. The necessity of achieving complete parity among the six official languages on United Nations websites was again reiterated in the resolution.
The goal of the Year was to raise awareness of topics like multilingualism, respect for all languages, and linguistic variety (in the context of cultural diversity). The resolution also touched on linguistic matters inside the UN. The International Mother Language Day, February 21, 2008, marked the formal opening of the Year, which was coordinated by UNESCO.
During the International Year of Languages, UNESCO asked all of its partners to step up their efforts to promote and safeguard all languages, particularly those that are in danger of extinction. By taking part in several projects globally in 2008, a variety of government and non-government organizations, colleges, language centers and institutes, artists, language teachers, and individuals demonstrated their dedication to the year
The following projects were included:
- Educational efforts include those that support and promote bilingual and multilingual education.
- Science initiatives designed to improve cross-linguistic cooperation and communication between scientific organizations and researchers.
- Undertakings in the social and human sciences.
- Projects that focus on culture and address issues like cultural diversity.
- Endeavors in communication and information, especially those based on knowledge societies.
Conferences, classes, workshops for communities and schools, language festivals, and the publication of various language-related materials were all activities that supported these efforts.
According to UNESCO, more than 50 percent of about 7000 languages spoken in the world are likely to die out within a few generation
According to UNESCO, more than half of the about 7000 languages spoken worldwide are likely to disappear within a few generations, and only 4% of people worldwide speak 96% of these languages. Central to UNESCO's activities are the promotion of education for all, intercultural communication, and the growth of knowledge societies. However, they are not achievable without a comprehensive, global effort to support linguistic diversity and multilingualism, including the survival of endangered languages.
The UN General Assembly declared 2008 the International Year of Languages on May 16, 2007, acknowledging the benefits of multilingualism for fostering global understanding and unity in diversity. The UN's dedication to promoting, safeguarding, and preserving the diversity of languages and cultures around the world was also acknowledged by the assembly. The mission of UNESCO in the fields of education, science, social and human sciences, culture, communication, and information all revolve around language issues. As a result, the company was designated as the International Year of Languages' principal agency.
The words "2008 - International Year of Languages" are included along with the UN and UNESCO insignia in the official International Year of Languages logo. The six official languages of the United Nations are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. 2008 - Languages Matter!" is another slogan used to advertise the occasion. More than 200 different languages have written versions.
The UN logo is often featured to promote UN events
When promoting UN occasions, such as the International Year of Languages, the UN emblem is frequently used. It displays a projection of the world's surface (excluding Antarctica), with the North Pole at its center and surrounded by olive branches. The global map depicts all of humanity, while the olive branches stand for peace. It has been displayed with white backgrounds and hues like blue.
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