News
Multilingualism Week addresses linguistic diversity as an agent of change in democratic societies
The use of more than one language corresponds to a cultural practice that is common when there are different linguistic groups in the same country. These languages contribute to peaceful understanding among diverse cultures. In this sense, multilingualism is an agent of change in democratic societies, that promotes the linguistic rights of communities, the diversity of cultural expressions and the fight against social discrimination.
These two seminars taking place during the Plurilingualism Week between November 14 and 18include national and international experts addressing intercultural policies and challenges in the field of language diversity in Chile and the world.
"With this Plurilingualism Week, we are kicking off the celebration of the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages in Chile, and with that, we are also opening spaces to learn about significant practices in terms of intercultural policies for multilingualism beyond our borders. In this way, we promote a dialogue between countries that opens the way to a joint work agenda to promote territorial culture, diversity and intercultural development communities, which is fundamental for this government", emphasizes the Minister of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, Julieta Brodsky Hernández.
The Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage together with the Ministry of Education, UNESCO, UN Chile and the La Moneda Cultural Center invite you to participate in the International Seminar Intercultural Policies for Plurilingualism in Comparative Perspective, where specialists and public policy experts on multilingualism from Chile and the world will participate, where significant and best practices will be presented that Chile can learn valuable lessons from.
"According to Unesco figures, there are more than seven thousand languages spoken on the planet, of which about 6,700 are indigenous languages. Forty percent of them are at risk of disappearing. Every time a language is lost, a way of understanding and interacting with the world dies. That is why it is very significant for us to co-organize this seminar with the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage. We hope it will serve to highlight the importance of safeguarding and revitalizing the languages of diverse peoples, which represent centuries of history, knowledge, cultural wealth and a legacy for future generations", emphasizes the director of the UNESCO Office in Chile, Claudia Uribe.
The event's program includes masterclasses by Francisco Cali Tzay, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, and Daiara Hori Figueroa Sampaio, artist, activist, educator and communicator from Brazil.
The event will take place on Wednesday, November 16 and Thursday, November 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Sala de Cine, Level 2 of the La Moneda Cultural Center. Admission is free upon registration at . Limited seating. It will be broadcast by UNESCO, the CCLM and the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage.
Previously, on Tuesday, November 15, from 09:00 to 10:30 am in room 206 of the UC Extension Center (Alameda 3909), the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, the Center for Intercultural and Indigenous Studies CIIR and the Universidad de la Frontera, with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland, will hold the Seminar "Plurilingualism: a look at the future from a public policy perspective". Research from the Red de Saberes Territoriales will be presented by the national sociologist Juan Esteban Fernandez, and then give way to a panel of experts. Broadcast on UC's YouTube channel.
Further information:
