The Working Group on Cultural and Linguistic Diversity of the Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE) met on 26 September 2018 in Brussels to celebrate the European Day of Languages and present its new Decalogue for Linguistic Diversity.
Andrew Dawson (United Kingdom, ECR) presented the Congress' work in this field. In the context of the report on "The use of languages by local and regional authorities" that he is currently preparing as Congress rapporteur, Mr. Dawson stressed that language issues can be at the heart of conflicts between communities and the different levels of government. "This is an observation that is regularly pointed out during monitoring visits on the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. The Congress report will examine these situations, but also many good practices concerning the use of regional or minority languages," he added.
Mr. Dawson stressed the importance of encouraging the preservation and learning of these minority languages, but above all the need to make them tools in the provision of public services. "As local politicians, we must transform languages into practical tools for connecting people and for developing inclusive communities," said the Congress rapporteur.
In a previous report, adopted in 2017, on "Regional and minority languages in Europe today", the Congress had already stressed that the protection of historical regional or minority languages makes it possible to protect diversity and had encouraged communities to take measures to develop their teaching in the regions.
"Democracy is impoverished if citizens cannot fully participate in their communities because of language barriers." he said. Mr. Dawson called for better use of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages to "promote our shared inclusive values, to enable the development of diversity and to support the active participation of all citizens in democratic life. »
To conclude, Mr. Dawson asked local politicians to reaffirm the role that local and regional authorities can and should play in protecting, developing and promoting linguistic diversity.
