Cor van der Meer cvdmeer@fryske-akademy.nl Bozen/Bolzano, 17 January, 2012

1. Cor van der Meer cvdmeer@fryske-akademy.nl Bozen/Bolzano, 17 January, 2012

2. Mercator Research Centre’s activities • Research • Publications & databases • Network of Schools • Conferences & seminars • Advisory role • Projects

3. Mercator Research Centre - “lead partner” 4 Partner institutes: • Aberystwyth – University of Wales • Barcelona – Ciemen • Budapest – Hungarian Academy of Sciences • Stockholm (Sweden) – Stockholm University

4. „Linguistic diversity is a challenge for Europe, but, in our view, a rewarding challenge.“ (Amin Maaloof, Group of Intellectuals for Intercultural Dialogue) • „Translation is the language of Europe.“ (Umberto Eco) • „Who(ever) doesn't speak a foreign language, doesn't know his mother tongue.“ (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

5. CONTEXT • Multilingualism is a declared goal of the European Commission • Barcelona target: mother tongue + 2 foreign languages • Last Commission: Leonard Orban (first Commissioner for Multilingualism) • Multilingualism Unit • Today: multilingualism under DG „Education and Training“, no proper Commissioner anymore • However, there are many activities in the field of multilingualism • Strategic framework for European co-operation in education and training (ET 2020) Goethe-Institut Uwe Mohr

6. REQUIREMENTS AND REFERENCE DOCUMENTS OF THE EC • The Council conclusions of 12 May 2009 on a strategic framework for European co-operation in education and training ("ET 2020") • New skills for new jobs • New technologies, innovation and creativity • Key skills – computers, reading, maths, natural sciences • Early leavers from education and training, immigrants, learners with special needs

7. ET 2020 – 4 STRATEGIC GOALS • Realise lifelong learning and mobility • Improve quality and efficiency of education and training • Promote equality, social cohesion and active citizenship • Promote innovation and creativity – including entrepreneurial spirit – at all levels of education and training

8. PROCESSES OF TOPIC FINDING AND INFLUENCE ON POLICY MAKING Open Method of Co-ordination with the member states: 2 groups with government representatives of all member states on „Early Language Learning“ and „Language and Business“ Structured dialogue with representatives of the civil society – Civil Society Platforms: „Business Platform for Multilingualism“ (industry, employer‘s associations, trade unions, other lobby associations) „Civil Society Platform on Multilingualism“ (research- and cultural institutes, translators, lifelong learning, programme for integration of immigrants and socially disadvantaged minorities, etc.)

9. EU CIVIL SOCIETY PLATFORM ON MULTILINGUALISM • European Commission October 2009 • Structured dialogue with the civil society • Goal: promote multilingualism in Europe in the fields of culture, media and non-formal education

10. TOPICS AND PROJECTS OF THE PLATFORM 2010 - 2012 • 29 umbrella organisations of European organisations working in the fields of (adult) education, early learning, culture, research, translation, subtitling, terminology, minorities, social work, immigrants, writers, theatre, media, certification, language teaching, 4 Working groups: • Translation and terminology • Education • Language diversity and social inclusion • Language planning and language policy • Chair: Goethe, EUNIC , Brussels

11. POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CSPM • EU-language policy still fragmented; gap between plans and reality • Research CSPM in all areas of civil society: policy recommendations • Multilingual education should become the norm (mother tongue + 2 foreign languages)

12. POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONSCSPM • Wide introduction of content based learning • Create and develop informal learning opportunities outside the classroom • Better learning support for immigrants  promote integration and social cohesion

13. POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONSCSPM • Improve language skills of public services • Introduce sound study programmes • Develop mobility opportunities

14. POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CSPM • Translation should not be regarded as a second best option (overcome linguistic and cultural frontiers) • Improve working conditions for translators • Raise awareness amongst policy makers, educationalists and parents on multilingualism

15. POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CSPM • Develop language policy that observes language use and guarantees equality of languages • Permanent CSPM as means for dialogue

16. Promote multilingualism in Europe • Result of the deliberations of the CSPM: creation of On-line Language Observatory • Reporting on best practice in language policy and language learning • Co-funded through the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) of the European Commission

17. PARTNERS

18. GOALS • Assemble and analyse data on multilingualism (ML) policy in Europe • Set up a catalogue of ML tools • Draw interest to multilingualism policy • Advise policymakers in the development and implementation of ML policies • Disseminate best practice through networks of ML policymakers • Multilingual on-line language observatory

19. OUTPUT • Examples of best practice: urge policy makers to create better conditions for multilingual projects • Reliable information on multilingualism for policy makers • Tools to discuss multilingualism (blog) • Catalogue of multilingualism tools • Database with news, documents and events • Importance of multilingualism for Europe • Opportunities to promote multilingualism at grassroots level

20. http://www.poliglotti4.eu Vielen Dank Thank you