Call for UN to protect language diversity worldwide (fwd)

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Call for UN to protect language diversity worldwide
http://www.galwayindependent.com/news/7774.html

An international, trilingual (English, French and Irish) conference in
NUI Galway has called on the UN to protect language diversity

At the event, which was organised by Acadamh na hOllscolaochta Gaeilge
and the Irish Centre for Human Rights, attendees unanimously passed the
proposal known as the Galway Declaration.

Delegates from over 20 countries supported the call to the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to
protect the worlds linguistic diversity.

Dr Joseph Turi, Secretary General of IALL/IADL (International Academy of
Linguistic Law/Acadmie Internationale de Droit Linguistique) proposed
the call.

Seosamh Mac Donnacha, Academic Coordinator of Acadamh na hOllscolaochta
Gaeilge, said, This is a very important step. Once UNESCO calls for the
protection of linguistic diversity, the countries of the world will have
to focus on supporting languages and their speakers within their
borders. Linguistic diversity ensures cultural diversity.

Dr Conchr Giollagin of Acadamh na hOllscolaochta Gaeilge said, This is
now an international crisis. Up to 90 per cent of the worlds languages
are in danger of dying out in less than 100 years. Now is the time to
act.

The theme of the conference was Language Law and Language Rights: The
Challenges of Enactment and Implementation. The event was supported by
the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.