On 1 February 1998, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) entered into force as the first legally binding multilateral treaty on minority protection.

For two decades, the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (ACFC) has advised on the implementation of the FCNM, given visibility to national minorities and promoted integration of diverse societies.

In 20 years, the FCNM has contributed to diversity management in European societies:  legislation on minority rights has been adopted, school curricula have been redesigned to provide space for languages spoken by persons belonging to minorities and new forms of minority participation have been established.

In 20 years, both the application and interpretation of the FCNM have evolved significantly, adapting to constantly changing times, with the introduction of new technologies, the emergence of different societal conditions and new political realities.

For the next 20 years and beyond, the FCNM is well equipped and ready to remain the reference instrument for the protection of national minorities it has proudly proven to be, and to go from strength to strength. Access to minority rights as an integral part of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the creation of appropriate societal conditions enabling persons belonging to national minorities to freely express, preserve and develop their identities, remain one of the essential elements of stability, democratic security and peace across Europe also in the 21st century. 

High-level Conference

Minorities and Minority Languages in a Changing Europe

On 18 and 19 June 2018, the Council of Europe is organising a high-level conference under the Croatian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The conference is being held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and will take place at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Conference file >>

Interview

Professor Brigitta Busch, member of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention in respect of Austria and professor for applied linguistics at the University of Vienna on language rights

20 years
ECMI publication

20 Years of Dealing with Diversity: Is the Framework Convention at a Crossroad?

In 2018 the European Framework Convention for the Protection on National Minorities celebrates its 20 year anniversary. The ECMI (European Centre for Minority Issues) marks the anniversary with a new ECMI InFocus Publication with the title “20 Years of Dealing with Diversity: Is the Framework Convention at a Crossroad?” The publication is a collection of over 20 interviews with prominent experts and members of national minorities, and highlights the past, present and future expectations of the FCNM.

public debate
Living in a multilingual society: linguistic rights in the service of social cohesion
The question of languages in the education system

Strasbourg, Lieu d’Europe, room "Daniel Riot"

21 February 2018

Brigitta Busch, professor for applied linguistics at the University of Vienna and member of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe, will highlight the need for inclusive linguistic policies in particular in the field of education in order to recognise and revaluate the many languages that exist, the different accents and vocabularies that are important people in real life. The presentation will include an interactive workshop where participants can draw their own ‘language portraits’.

More information >>