The need to preserve the linguistic human heritage and counter the processes of language shift that are taking place worldwide has become a major concern shared by researchers, scholars and leaders of many language communities.

This Dialogue wanted to bring together all persons interested in the maintenance of linguistic diversity in order to generate fruitful discussions that may be used to hold back the current processes of cultural homogenization of the world.

The congress was held in Barcelona between May 20 and 23 in the framework of the Universal Forum of Cultures - Barcelona 2004. Working sessions were of two types. On the one hand, the keynote communications, that gave a general overview on the three main axes of the congress (language diversity, sustainability and peace) and the possible interrelations among them, taking into account the new cultural, social, political and economic factors stemming from an increasing globalization process. On the other hand, the five parallel workshops that were held in the afternoon sessions had a more specific approach to linguistic diversity and its relation to language policy and planning.

Linguapax was born as a UNESCO initiative to bring a linguistic solution to specific issues in the area of peace research, defence of human rights and promotion of education for democracy by using innovative methods for language teaching. This philosophy is now embodied in the Linguapax Institute, an international NGO based in Barcelona, aimed at promoting peace through the respect of linguistic diversity and the promotion of plurilingual education. The Universal Forum of Cultures – Barcelona 2004 that took place from May 9 to September 26 2004 was an international event intended to offer a new and creative space for reflection and ex-perimentation in relation to the main social and cultural conflicts that humanity is faced with at the outset of the twenty-first century. The convergence of proposals and objectives of these two initiatives motivated the joint organization of this international congress.

All papers can be downloaded from the following link.