MONITORING (SW) – Globally, 40% of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand, reported UNESCO on International Mother Language Day.
Nevertheless, progress is being made in multilingual education with growing understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its development in public life.
“Linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and more languages disappear,” stated the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on Friday, February 21.
The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since 2000.
“UNESCO believes in the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies. It is within its mandate for peace that it works to preserve the differences in cultures and languages that foster tolerance and respect for others.”
The organization added that multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way.
The year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. “This milestone highlights a quarter-century of dedicated efforts to preserve linguistic diversity and promote the use of mother tongues. It serves as a significant opportunity to reflect on achievements, renew commitments, and emphasize the critical role of language preservation in safeguarding cultural heritage, improving education outcomes and creating more peaceful, sustainable societies.”
The global event organized at UNESCO Headquarters on 20-21 February, “Languages matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day”, will underscore the urgency of accelerating progress on linguistic diversity to build a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2030, according to UNESCO’s report on its website.
