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Linguapax is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion linguistic diversity worldwide. Its main aim, synthesized in its name, is to rally linguistic communities worldwide around the belief that languages, as essential vehicles of identity and cultural expression are inseparable from the goals peace and intercultural understanding. Linguapax develops activities along three major lines: consultations to state and substate language policy makers, collaboration in language revitalization and standardization projects on behalf of minority language communities; and elaboration of teaching materials advocating the values of linguistic and cultural diversity.
Linguapax emerged from a UNESCO experts meeting in 1987 which was followed up by a series of workshops and international meetings focused on the promotion of plurilingual education. In the year 2001, coinciding with a growing awareness of the loss of the world’s linguistic heritage, the UNESCO Center of Catalonia decided to continue the project and establish its headquarters in Barcelona.
Since 2001, Linguapax has increased its influence and reinforced its international presence through its global network of linguists . In 2006, Linguapax established a l network of organisations, from every part of the world, involved in the safeguarding of linguistic diversity. These partners became regional Linguapax delegations, acting both autonomously and interactively, with the capacity to carry out specific projects suited to local needs and harmonising with the recent normative texts and declarations promoted by the main intergovernmental institutions.
Linguapax activities take the form of:
- Organization of congresses, seminars and workshops.
- Specialized publications and teaching materials.
- Coordination of the Linguapax international network.
- Advice on language policy and planning issues.
The Linguapax Prize is awarded every year to linguists, researchers, professors or members of the civil society as a tribute to their outstanding work in the field of linguistic diversity and multilingual education.
The following chairs and organizations
participate in the philosophy of Linguapax:
UNESCO Etxea-Hizkuntzen
Amarauna
Alameda de Urquijo, 60 pral 48011
Bilbao
http://www.unescoeh.org
UNESCO Chair on Language
Planning and Didactic of Languages Universit�
de Mons-Hainaut
Place du Parc,22 7000 Mons(Belgium)
http://www.umh.ac.be
UNESCO Chair on Languages
and Education
Institut d'Estudis Catalans
Carme, 47 E-08001 Barcelona
http://www.iecat.net
UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001)
Art. 5 “All persons have therefore the right to express themselves and to create and disseminate their work in the language of their choice, and particularly in their mother tongue; all persons are entitled to quality education and training that fully respect their cultural identity.”
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