Multilingualism in ACUNS WorkJune 18, 2016MEKKI ELBADRI, PHDARABIC SENIOR REVISER, UN, NEW YORK

Disclaimer

I am presenting this paper in my personal a capacity and not as a

representative of the United Nations. All information presented is the result

of my own research and understanding of the UN System.

Multilingualism at the United Nationsu Introduction – overview followed by questionsuBackground – Personal experience and interestuMultilingualism in main UN Bodies: Official

languages/Working languages

Background Documents

uRules of procedure (GA, SC, ECOSOC, etc.)

uGeneral Assembly Resolutions on Multilingualism (starting with A/RES/50/11 in 1995 and the latest is A/RES/69/324 in 2015, adopted biennially)

uSecretary General Reports (A/69/282)

UN Coordinator for Multilingualism

u Responsible for coordinating the overall implementation of multilingualism Secretariat-wide.

u Appointed by the Secretary Generalu DPI and DGACMu Secretary General’s Report on Multilingualismu Current Coordinator: Deputy Secretary General for

DGACM

In the resolutions on “Multilingualism”

The GA regularly:u reviews and makes recommendations related

mainly to the use of the six official languagesu As well as non-official and local languagesu In different domains of the Organization’s worku UN websites, documentation and conference

services, peace-keeping and human resources

DGACM Outreach to Universities

u Showcase the profile of UN language professionsu Promote teaching translation/interpretation for the UNu MOU Universitiesu MOU Conferencesu Internshipsu Outreach Portal

https://languagecareers.un.org/

UNESCO: Languages matter!

u UNESCO promotes linguistic diversity and multilingualismu Languages, with their complex implications for identity,

communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet.

u The International Mother Language Day (IMLD), proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in November 1999, celebrated every year on 21 February

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/cultural-diversity/languages-and-multilingualism/

Multilingualism and WHO

WHO's multilingual web site, publications and other resources ensure that health information reaches the people who need it, in the languages they can understand. This makes access to health information both more equitable - and effective.Multilingual communication bridges gaps and fosters understanding between people. It allows WHO to more effectively guide public health practices, reach out to international audiences, and achieve better health outcomes worldwide. In this way, multilingual communication is an essential tool for improving global health:"A multilingual WHO is better equipped to communicate health messages, to produce and disseminate health information and to generate, share and use knowledge about health in an equitable manner. It is also better placed to meet today's major public health challenge: strengthening health systems in order to provide essential health care for all.“Multilingualism: plan of action, 2007http://www.who.int/about/multilingualism/en/

Who else cares about Multilingualism, outside the UN System?RESOURCES, RESEARCH, ASSOCIATIONS…

Multilingualism is the use of two or more languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Multilingualism is becoming a social phenomenon governed by the needs of globalization and cultural openness.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multilingualism

A long article that includes among other things:u Multilingualism in the workplace

uMultilingualism in English speaking countriesuMultilingualism in AsiauMultilingualism in AfricauMultilingualism in Europe

u Multilingualism in musicu No mentioning of the United Nations or International Organizations

Exploring the Dynamics of Multilingualism: The DYLAN projectBerthoud, Anne-Claude (eds.) (2013)

u EU Project: Language Dynamics and Management of Diversity (2006-2011)

u Multilingualism in different professional settings, especially corporate multilingualism

u Multilingualism and European Union institutionsu Multilingualism and educationu English as a lingua franca

Advances in Understanding Multilingualism: A Global PerspectiveGrucza et al (eds.) (2016)

u Specific countries (e.g. Singapore, Croatia, New Zealand)

u Specific Communities (e.g. children in Luxembourg, University students in Switzerland, Macau, China, multilingual families, pre-schoolers in Frankfurt, Germany)

u European Union policies on linguistic diversity

International Journal of Multilingualism

A peer-reviewed journal published quarterly by Taylor and Francis Online, examples of latest articles (2016):u Immigration and linguistic diversity:u Ethnic identity and language choice across online forumsu Second language education context and home language effectu Online responses to a multilingual Super Bowl adsu Multilingualism and creativity (Book Review)http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rmjm20/current

International Association Of Multilingualism (IAM)u An international network of scholars who share an interest in multilingualism.u The association organizes a conference every two years, besides regularly

organizing workshops, seminars and panel discussions

Members receive the International Journal of Multilingualismu Tenth international conference on third language acquisition and multilingualismhttp://www.iam.wildapricot.org/

Is there anyone who cares about Multilingualism in International Organizations?

YES!

The Study Group on Language and the UN

uBringing together scholars and practitioners from different background (linguistics, education, law, economics, etc.)

u Series of conferences/symposia on the UN agenda and language issues

uArticles and collections of papersuWebsite ad bibliography on relevant issuesu Supported by a few institutions

What ACUNS has to do with all this?

ACUNS is a global professional association of educational and research institutions, individual scholars, and practitioners active in the work and study of the United Nations, multilateral relations, global governance, and international cooperation [emphasis added]. We promote teaching on these topics, as well as dialogue and mutual understanding across and between academics, practitioners, civil society and students.http://acuns.org/the-purpose-and-organization-of-acuns/

Linguistic Issues in ACUNS WorkARE THERE ANY?

Concluding Questions

WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE…u To highlight the importance of discussing linguistic issues

of the UN System within ACUNS framework?u To establish connections between language issues and

other aspects of the UN agenda?u To create synergies among academics, UN entities and

others interested in language issues within/through ACUNS?

u To dedicate an agenda item to language issues in ACUNS annual meetings?

u ……. ???

u جزیال شكراu謝謝 [谢谢]u Thank you

u Merciu Спасибо!u Gracias