What Future for Minority Languages in Europe?
On 24 February 2015, Csaba Sógor MEP organized a conference entitled “Language, Identity & Power: What Future for Minority Languages in Europe”, with Herbert Dorfmann (EPP) and Jill Evans (EFA/Greens) MEPs, in cooperation with the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), the European Free Alliance (EFA) and the Centre Maurits Coppieters (CMC).
In their opening remarks, MEPs Csaba Sógor, Herbert Dorfmann and Jill Evans reminded the audience about the significance of multilingualism as an engine for the European Union to engage with its citizens, stressing that linguistic diversity in Europe cannot be underestimated, but should instead remain a question of fundamental rights, equality and democracy. While the importance of linguistic diversity is widely recognized, a lot more needs to be done in order for minority and regional languages to survive and thrive.
We have seen a shift in recent years, including in my own European political party, the EPP, to increase attention to the issues traditional minorities are facing today. However, national governments are still responsible for the preservation and promotion of minority and regional languages. More can and should be done on a European level to incentivize this Csaba Sógor
Expert speeches were delivered by Vicent Climent-Ferrando (NPLD), Zoltán Kántor (Research Institute for Hungarian Minorities Abroad), Sebahattin Abdurrahman (Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe), Rudi Janssens (Free University of Brussels - BRIO), Paul Videsott (Free University of Bolzano), Hannes Wilhelm-Kell (Lausatian Alliance) and Johan Häggman (multilinguism expert).
The high turnout to the conference showed the importance of implementing legal frameworks and concrete measures aimed at protecting and promoting regional and minority languages in Europe. Future activities on this topic are planned in order to raise more awareness and develop concrete strategies to reach these goals. Furthermore, the EPP Group is organizing a hearing on national minorities in Europe on the 22nd of April.
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The EPP Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 219 Members from 27 Member States
<p>The International Mother Tongue Day, observed annually on 21 February, provided a symbolic backdrop for the discussions. With around 60 participants, from various European minority groups, EU institutions, Council of Europe, and human rights NGOs, the conference was a definite success, shining a light on Europe’s unrecognized, unprotected and even endangered languages. The conference was also well-attended by MEPs across different political groups, including Tatjana Ždanoka (EFA/Greens), Mark Demesmaeker (ECR), József Nagy (EPP), Pál Csáky (EPP), Iuliu Winkler (EPP), Josu Juaristi Abaunz (GUE/NGL), Krisztina Morvai (NI), as well as former MEP François Alfonsi. A representative of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages was also present.</p>
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