The 35th meeting of the Governing Board of the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe was held at the Centre’s premises in Graz, Austria, from 10-11 June 2026. Representatives from 34 member states, a delegate from the European Commission as well as a colleague from the Council of Europe’s Language Policy Programme took part, coming together to discuss recent developments and future directions in language education.
The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing work within the Council of Europe and its Education Department, news from the host country, national initiatives in language education, and progress on the ECML’s current programme, Language Education at the Heart of Democracy (2024-2027). There was also a look ahead to major upcoming activities: the 2026 European Day of Languages, which will be celebrated under the inspiring slogan “Languages unite!”, and a peer learning event on regional and minority languages in Valencia this November – both organised in cooperation with the European Commission. Board members took part in group work to help shape the ECML’s next medium-term programme (2028-2031), sharing ideas and feedback on new themes and priorities to support language learning across Europe.
During the meeting, Pille Põiklik (Chair), Eyjólfur Már Sigurðsson (Vice-Chair), and Lourdes Ballesteros-Martin (Bureau member) were all re-elected for the 2027-2028 term. Members also took the opportunity to thank Austria’s longstanding Governing Board member, Ursula Newby, for her many years of dedicated service to the Centre.
Immediately following the Governing Board, the ECML hosted its biannual international workshop for National Nominating Authorities (NNA) and National Contact Points (NCP) – the network of experts who help coordinate and promote ECML activities in their respective countries. Over 40 participants from nearly 30 countries took part, exchanging experiences, sharing examples of good practice in using ECML resources, and discussing new ways to support teachers and learners at national level. Highlights included a series of country examples from Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, France, Greece, Serbia, Slovak Republik, Spain, and Switzerland, showcasing their impact. The workshop also provided a chance for participants to share their ideas and input on the upcoming call for projects in the Centre’s next programme.
Both the Governing Board meeting and the NNA / NCP workshop took place in a warm and collaborative atmosphere, with participants openly sharing ideas and experiences. This spirit of partnership remains central to the ECML’s work as it looks to the future of language education in Europe.
