cor van der meer [email protected] bozen/bolzano, 17 january, 2012
TRANSCRIPT
Mercator Research Centre’s activities
• Research
• Publications & databases
• Network of Schools
• Conferences & seminars
• Advisory role
• Projects
• Mercator Research Centre - “lead partner” 4 Partner institutes:
• Aberystwyth – University of Wales• Barcelona – Ciemen• Budapest – Hungarian Academy of Sciences• Stockholm (Sweden) – Stockholm University
• „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)
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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)
21.04.23 Goethe-Institut Uwe Mohr 5
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
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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
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PROCESSES OF TOPIC FINDING AND INFLUENCE ON POLICY
MAKINGOpen 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.)
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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
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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
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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)
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POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CSPM
• 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
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POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CSPM
• Improve language skills of public services
• Introduce sound study programmes
• Develop mobility opportunities
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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
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POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CSPM
• Develop language policy that observes language use and
guarantees equality of languages
• Permanent CSPM as means for dialogue
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• 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
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PARTNERS
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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
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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
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