Events
List of conferences, symposia, forums and seminars
The events that are organised are diverse in nature and aimed at different audiences: in most cases they are intended for the national delegates of the 47 member states appointed by their ministries, but others are designed for specialists or a limited number of delegates, or, more rarely, researchers.
For the Council of Europe, these events are generally intended to report on the results of a programme and to provide an opportunity for discussions. However, they are also a means of exploring the needs of member states in order to guide the language policy programme accordingly.
Furthermore, contact with and between national representatives or specialists from the various member states gives rise to exchanges not only between participants but also with the Secretariat of the Council of Europe. Little by little, these events have made the Council of Europe a genuine platform for co-operation where the member states participate directly in the framing of a common policy, even though they are under no obligation to do so and retain their sovereignty in the field of education.
Although the first conference was held in the 1960s, the events and reports listed below date back only as far as 1991
Unless otherwise indicated, all events were organised at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg (France).
2018
Conference: Building Inclusive Societies through Enriching Plurilingual and Pluricultural Education
Strasbourg, 16-17 May 2018
The main objective of this conference was to launch the "CEFR Companion Volume" with new descriptors, as a complement to the existing Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR).
Participants: national delegates and language experts
Conference documents and Report: consult the Education website
2017
Launch Conference: Language Support for Adult refugees: the Council of Europe toolkit
Strasbourg, 22-23 November 2017
The objective was to introduce to this free and flexible tool partners and organisations offering language support to adult refugees. The toolkit is a website available in 7 languages consisting of 57 tools and other resources.
Participants: international, national and regional associations and bodies; international networks; NGOs and INGOs; international organisations.
Summary report of the launch conference
2016
Symposium: The linguistic integration of adult migrants: lessons from research
Strasbourg, 30 March – 1 April 2016
The objective of this Symposium based on an open call for proposals (73 were accepted) was to bring together researchers from various disciplines – education, didactics, psychology, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, etc. – to consider to what extent and in what ways scientific evidence can inform the development of policy and practice designed to support the linguistic integration of adult migrants.
Bilingual summaries of 73 lectures
Publication : The Linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants / L’intégration linguistique des migrants adultes. Some lessons from research / Les enseignements de la recherche (published by De Gruyter Mouton for the Council of Europe)
2015
Intergovernmental Conference: The language dimension in all subjects: equity and quality in education
Strasbourg, 14-15 October 2015
The Conference was intended for those responsible for curriculum development and teacher training for any school subject.
National representatives had been nominated by national education authorities.
Handbook: ‘The language dimension in all school Subjects’
Restricted Seminar: The language dimension in all subjects
Strasbourg, 27-28 May 2015
The aim of the seminar was to draw on the expertise of the participants from 13 member States to gain understanding of the potential challenges in implementing the recommendations of the draft Handbook on the same subject, and to gather suggestions for any measures that might support its implementation.
2014
Third Intergovernmental Conference: on Quality in the linguistics integration of adult migrants: from values to policy and practice
Strasbourg, 3-4 June 2014
The innovative approach of this 3rd conference facilitated discussion and exchanges around the presentation of the new website on Linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants (LIAM) and its multiple resources; of the analysis of findings of the 3rd survey; of a new Guide on language policy and practice related to LIAM; of a key recommendation of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly on the impact of language tests for migrants; of the outcomes of piloting instruments designed for LIAM. Towns were also given the opportunity to report about their initiatives in terms of linguistic integration.
Participants: national or regional government officials responsible for language policies for adult migrants in Council of Europe member states and observers with related profile.
Programme including presentations
Conference documents and publications
- Report on the 3rd LIAM survey of the Council of Europe, 2014
- Linguistic integration of adult migrants - Guide to policy development and implementation, 2014
- The linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants - from one country to another, from one language to another, 2014
2013
Intergovernmental Conference: Quality and inclusion in education: the unique role of language
Strasbourg, 18-19 September 2013
Language is the central medium of teaching and learning and the main way that learners demonstrate their knowledge and understanding. Competence in language is the basis of successful learning. This event was an opportunity for those responsible for education policies or for curriculum development (of any school subject) to discuss the role of languages in preventing failure at school, and to contribute to furthering quality and inclusion in education.
Participants: national representatives nominated by national education authorities.
2012
Third Restricted Seminar: Plurilingual and Intercultural Education in primary education
(Language teaching in primary education and the integration into the curriculum of plurilingual and intercultural education)
Strasbourg, 22-23 November 2012
As for the previous events in this series, this 3rd seminar (focusing on primary education) aimed at promoting the values and approaches presented in the Guide for the development and implementation of curricula for plurilingual and intercultural education in a practical and operational way, with particular attention given to the characteristics and issues related to primary education.
Participants: a limited number of members of the “European network of curriculum institutes or ministerial departments in charge of curriculum development”
Second Restricted Seminar: Languages of Schooling in all subjects
Strasbourg, 27-28 September 2012
Participants: a limited number of members of the “European network of curriculum institutes or ministerial departments in charge of curriculum development”
Objectives:
- to identify the necessary language requirements for developing subject literacy as well as the relationship within and across subject literacies;
- to present and compare procedures for formulating frameworks to materialise the notion of subject literacies
Report of the restricted Seminar on Languages of Schooling in all subjects
Restricted Seminar: Plurilingual and Intercultural Education in vocational education and training curricula
Strasbourg, 10-11 May 2012
This 2nd seminar – as the two others in this series - aimed at promoting the values and approaches presented in the Guide for the development and implementation of curricula for plurilingual and intercultural education. It focused on reflection on vocational training and its related issues and opportunities.
Participants: a restricted number of members of the “European network of curriculum institutes or ministerial departments in charge of curriculum development”
Intergovernmental Seminar: Meeting the challenge of multilingual classrooms: exploiting plurilingual repertoires, managing transitions and developing proficiency in the language(s) of schooling
Strasbourg, 7-8 March 2012
This event focused on recurring issues raised by multilingual classes, such as taking into account learners’ plurilingual repertoires, management of transition periods and the development of competences in the language(s) of schooling
Participants: national representatives nominated by national education authorities.
2011
1st restricted Seminar on Curriculum convergences for plurilingual and intercultural education
Strasbourg, 29-30 November 2011
This 1st seminar was followed by two others, in May and November 2012; they aimed at promoting the values and approaches presented in the Guide for the development and implementation of curricula for plurilingual and intercultural education in a practical and efficient way.
Participants: a restricted number of members of the “European network of curriculum institutes or ministerial departments in charge of curriculum development”.
Curriculum convergences were the first topic to be addressed as this is a central issue in plurilingual et intercultural education.
2010
Intergovernmental Policy Forum: The right of learners to quality and equity in education – the role of language and intercultural skills
Geneva (Switzerland), 2-4 November 2010
This intergovernmental policy Forum aimed at publicising the important work in progress on languages of schooling and on the Platform for plurilingual and intercultural education, which began in 2006 with the project “Languages of Education, Languages in Education”. This Forum offered the opportunity to present publications produced by a range of experts and groups of experts.
The Forum was held at the generous invitation of the Swiss authorities; it was organised jointly by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (CDIP) and the Language Policy Division.
Programme including presentations
4 series of documents prepared for the Forum (bilingual list)
Participation in this Forum was limited to delegates officially nominated by their national authorities (Steering Committee for Education – CDED) and to International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) holding participatory status at the Council of Europe according to their profile.
2nd Intergovernmental Conference on The linguistics integration of adult migrants (LIAM): Ways of evaluating policy and practice
Strasbourg, 24-25 June 2010
This conference offered opportunities to discuss language requirements related to family reunification, permanent residence, and nationality/citizenship, and to explore issues such as quality in language programmes, language tests and other forms of evaluation.
Participants: representatives of ministries in charge of integration and education of migrants (ministries of education, interior, social affairs, etc.)
Programme including presentations
Consult the LIAM website for further Conference documents
The Conference was organised by the Language Policy Unit (DGIV) in co-operation with the Migration Division (DG III) of the Council of Europe.
2009
Intergovernmental Conference: Languages of schooling and the right to plurilingual and intercultural education
Strasbourg, 8-10 June 2009
This event followed two conferences held in 2006 (Strasbourg) and 2007 (Prague) which launched the project on ‘Languages in education – languages for education’. It addressed key issues related to the language(s) of schooling and reported on the project’s progress, including for the development of a web-based “Platform of resources and References”.
Participants: National representatives nominated by national education authorities
2008
2nd seminar: Teaching Romani : the Curriculum Framework and the European Language Portfolio
Strasbourg, 27-28 November 2008
The second seminar involved representatives of ministries of education and Roma educators from 17 Council of Europe member states. The purpose of the seminar was to: i) receive reports of the pilot projects launched after the 2007 seminar; ii) to introduce a revised version of the CFR, two European Language Portfolios and a Teachers’ handbook to practitioners and decision makers; iii) and to discuss possible future actions.
Report of the Seminar - Seminarosko Raportaro (in Romani)
Programme - Programo (in Romani)
NB. Conference documents related to the Romani project are available in English and in Romani
First Intergovernmental seminar: Linguistic integration of adult migrants (LIAM)
Strasbourg, 26-27 June 2008
Based on shared Council of Europe principles, this first event aimed at sharing the findings of the 1st survey among member states, but also at presenting several key documents (thematic and case studies) designed to assist member states in developing coherent and effective for integration policies and implementing them.
Participants: representatives of ministries in charge of integration and education of migrants (ministries of education, interior, social affairs, etc.)
Programme including presentations
Consult the LIAM website for further Conference documents
2007
Intergovernmental Policy Forum: The ‘Common European Framework of Reference for languages’ (CEFR) and the development of language policies: challenges and responsibilities
Strasbourg, 6-8 February 2007
The objective was to offer member states a forum for discussion and debate on a number of policy issues raised by the very speedy adoption of the CEFR in Europe and the increasingly widespread use of its scales of proficiency levels.
Participants: Over 270 national representatives and independent experts from 41 member States and from other continents as well as numerous INGOs.
This report includes, among many others, following presentations:
- The CEFR Common Reference Levels : validated reference points and local strategies
- Impact of the CEFR and the Council of Europe’s work on the new European educational area
- Contextualising uses of the CEFR
See also ‘Responsibility of member states’ (CEFR website)
Follow-up intergovernmental Conference: Languages of schooling within a European framework for languages of education: learning, teaching, assessment
Prague (Czech Republic), 8-10 November 2007
The 2007 conference enabled to take forward work and reflection on the development of common references and resources from member states, in the form of an online platform. The purpose was to facilitate the development of policies and exchange of practices in order to face the main challenges related to languages of schooling.
Participants: National representatives nominated by national authorities
A European Reference Document for Languages of Education?
List of studies produced for the Conference
First seminar: The Curriculum Framework for Romani
Strasbourg, 31 May – 1 June 2007
The first seminar was intended for representatives of ministries of education and Roma educators from 11 Council of Europe member states. Its purpose was to introduce the Curriculum Framework for Romani to practitioners and decision makers concerned with the teaching and learning of Romani in a variety of educational contexts, to engage them in discussion of its possible applications, and to invite them to undertake small-scale pilot projects in preparation for a larger seminar in 2008.
Presentations in English and in Romani
2006
Intergovernmental Conference: Languages of Schooling: towards a Framework for Europe
Strasbourg, 16-18 October 2006
The 2006 conference marked the beginning of the languages of schooling project within the wider context of the "languages of education" concept. This was the first time the member states had been officially consulted in order to define future work.
Participants: National representatives nominated by national authorities
List of studies produced for the Conference
Some major texts
- Towards a Common European Instrument for Language(s) of Education
- Content considerations for a framework of reference for Language(s) of School Education
- European Frameworks of Reference for Language Competences
International Conference: Towards a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of School Education?
Kraków (Poland), 26-29 April 2006
The objective was to bring together researchers and practitioners to present papers and discuss the relationship between terms, concepts, notions, understandings and practices of the educational and academic fields in question.
Individual studies are contained in the Final Report of the Krakow Conference (available online at the website of Jagiellonian University - Poland)
2004
Policy Forum : Global approaches to plurilingual education
Strasbourg, 28-29 June 2004
The Forum considered concrete examples of innovative approaches to the promotion of plurilingual education in institutional, regional and national contexts, and international developments in language education policy. The Forum also involved analysis of the policy implications of new and existing instruments of the Council of Europe concerned with assessment and the establishment of standards.
Participants: National representatives nominated by national authorities
2002
Conference on Language Policy: Language, Diversity, Citizenship: Policies for Plurilingualism in Europe
Strasbourg, 13-15 November 2002
The main focus of this Conference was an innovative scheme to promote plurilingualism, consisting of a) a new framework document: “From linguistic diversity to plurilingual education. Guide for the development of Language Education Policies in Europe; b) support to member states: Language Education Policy Profiles drawing on the Guide.
Participants: National representatives nominated by national authorities
2001
Campaign European Year of Languages
In January 1999, the Committee of Ministers declared 2001 the "European Year of Languages" and the European Union joined in in June 2000.
This campaign involved millions of people across 45 countries in activities and events and over 15 conferences were organized. The main aims were to increase awareness of Europe's linguistic heritage and openness to different languages and cultures, and to motivate European citizens to develop plurilingualism
Campaign Book of the European Year of Languages 2001
1999
Intergovernmental Conference: Linguistic Diversity for Democratic Citizenship in Europe
Innsbruck (Austria), 10-12 May 1999
This was the first conference to focus clearly on how teaching was organised, rather than on pedagogical issues. It was chiefly concerned with languages as a whole, and not just so-called foreign languages. It underlined the need for joint discussion of the aims of language teaching in the context of democratic citizenship (for the follow-up: see 2002 Conference).
Participants: National representatives nominated by national authorities
Conference on “Language learning for a new Europe”
Strasbourg, 15-18 April 1997
The objective was to provide the results of the project Language Learning for European citizenship, to discuss topics identified as a priority and take stock of the reorientation and reform of language education, especially in member States having joined the Council of Europe after 1989.
Draft 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) and the first version of the European Language Portfolio (ELP) were presented during this Conference.
This Conference marked also the starting point of the reflection towards a campaign (organised in 2001) to promote among the wider public the importance of language diversification
1991
Symposium: Transparency and coherence in language learning in Europe. Objectives, evaluation, certification
Rüschlikon (Switzerland), 10-16 November 1991
This Symposium was the starting point of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR).
It was organised by the Council of Europe with the Federal Swiss authorities in collaboration with the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors of Education (EDK), the Eurocentres Foundation, the Migros Club Schools and the Interuniversity Commission for Applied Linguistics (CILA).
Participants: National representatives nominated by national authorities
This list of events organised by the Language Policy Programme is far from being exhaustive.
Among many others, the following series should be recalled:
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR)
Its development phase over a decade include a wide-scale piloting and- A range of seminars
- A series of 12 sessions of the working group
- European Language Portfolio (ELP)
- 2001-2010: meetings f the European Validation Committee that accredited 118 models
- 2001-2009: series of 9 meetings offered by member states for “ELP contact persons”
- Project Language learning for European citizenship:
- 1990-1996: series of 31 international “new-style” workshops involving a period of research & development between 2 workshops (from October 1990 – Workshop 1A in the Netherlands – until December 1996 – Workshop 18B in Portugal.
A full account is available in the Final Report of the Project Group (1989-1996), 1997, John Trim (Council of Europe archives)
- 1990-1996: series of 31 international “new-style” workshops involving a period of research & development between 2 workshops (from October 1990 – Workshop 1A in the Netherlands – until December 1996 – Workshop 18B in Portugal.
