1. Cor van der Meer cvdmeer@fryske-akademy.nl Bozen/Bolzano, 17 January, 2012

2. Mercator Research Centre’s activities Research Publications & databases Network of Schools Conferences & seminars Advisory role Projects

3. Mercator Research Centre - “lead partner” 4 Partner institutes: Aberystwyth – University of Wales Barcelona – Ciemen Budapest – Hungarian Academy of Sciences Stockholm (Sweden) – Stockholm University

4. „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) 10.10.20154

5. 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) 10.10.2015Goethe-Institut Uwe Mohr5

6. 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 10.10.20156

7. 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 10.10.20157

8. PROCESSES OF TOPIC FINDING AND INFLUENCE ON POLICY MAKING Open 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.) 10.10.20158

9. 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 10.10.20159

10. 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 10.10.201510

11. 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) 10.10.201511

12. 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 10.10.201512

13. POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CSPM Improve language skills of public services Introduce sound study programmes Develop mobility opportunities 10.10.201513

14. 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 10.10.201514

15. POLITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CSPM Develop language policy that observes language use and guarantees equality of languages Permanent CSPM as means for dialogue 10.10.201515

16. 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 10.10.201516

17. PARTNERS 10.10.2015 17

18. 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 10.10.201518

19. 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 10.10.201519

20. http://www.poliglotti4.eu 10.10.201520 Vielen Dank Thank you