Linguapax was originally an educational project launched by UNESCO in 1987. Nowadays, it is an independent organisation in consultative status with UNESCO, based in Barcelona since 2001, dedicated to the promotion, preservation and activation of linguistic diversity.
The founding mandate of Linguapax has always been its guiding thread in a more or less explicit way: ie. to encourage and devise ways to evidence the relationship between linguistic diversity and peace; provide pioneering perspectives on the meaning of these two terms and the potential of their interrelation. This thematic approach to Linguapax’s action links us strategically with our historical genesis at UNESCO, while allowing us to deploy complementary actions to those of the intergovernmental organisation.
On the other hand, as can be seen in the lines of action of the entity, the Linguapax action proactively harmonises with the framework prefigured by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Some of the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations for the period 2015-2030 make direct reference to languages as a factor of sustainable development: Language and quality education (Objective 4); Language and education in mother tongue (Goal 4); Language and gender equality (Goal 5); Language and economic growth (Goal 8); Language and reduction of inequalities (Goal 10); Language, peace and justice (Goal 16); NGOs and language policy in relation to the SDGs.
The action of Linguapax is structured in different work groups:
GT1 – GEOPOLITICAL SPACES AND LANGUAGES
- Exploring ways to evidence the relationship between linguistic diversity and peace (founding mandate of Linguapax); provide updated perspectives on the meaning of these two terms and the potential of their joint action.
- Geopolitical spaces and languages. Holistic communicative order.
- International cooperation in cultural and linguistic rights.
- Preservation and linguistic revitalisation. Articulation of dynamics between languages of immigration and indigenous languages.
GT2 – THE WORLD MOVEMENT FOR LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY
Diagnosis on the evolution of political sensitivity and sociolinguistic ideologies related to cultural and linguistic diversity. Critical analysis of the evolution of this movement of awareness and activism as compared to the movements for the protection of biodiversity (environmentalism), of emerging human rights (cultural and linguistic rights), etc.
GT3 – CULTURE OF MULTILINGUALISM (as a key to guarantee linguistic diversity)
Multilingual and pluricultural education. Educate citizens in a contemporary version of “cosmopolitanism” based on multiple competences of global citizenship, in accordance with the UNESCO Global Citizenship Education program. Besides the instrumental knowledge of different languages, this repertoire also includes a process of sensitization to the diversity of linguistic ideologies (representations and experiences of the language) and communicative of the world and how they are reflected in different vectors of culture.
GT4 – LANGUAGES AND WAYS OF CREATION (ART AND LANGUAGE)
To explore and spread the potential of linguistic diversity to generate new and emerging forms and cultural practices (in communications, arts, interpersonal relations, etc.) based on the interaction of the multiple linguistic systems (and communicative cultures).
GT5 – LANGUAGES, TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL CULTURE
Languages facing the contemporary paradigm of communication, language evolution in the human-machine dialogue, implications for communication scenarios in increasingly digitalized environments.
Linguapax develops transversal projects or instruments:
– an international award: the Linguapax International Prize
– an annual report: the Linguapax Review
– training / research: seminars of researchers
– training (project): online training (MOOC)
as well as diffusion instruments
– Publications
– e-Linguapax Newsletter
– Social networks: twitter, facebook, youtube channel
