International Mother Language Day: 21 February

Source:Brisbane 4EB Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – february2022

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999. The UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002.

International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. UNESCO believes education, based on the first language or mother tongue, must begin from the early years as early childhood care and education is the foundation of learning.

Last year’s observance was a call on policymakers, educators and teachers, parents and families to scale up their commitment to multilingual education, and inclusion in education to advance education recovery in the context of COVID-19. This effort also contributes to the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), for which UNESCO is the lead agency, and which places multilingualism at the heart of indigenous peoples’ development.

It is heartening to note that several Sinhala and Tamil schools serve the community in Brisbane. Dæhæna acknowledges the diligent work of the teachers and those parents who take these children to the classes.

Courtesy:https://www.un.org/en/observances/mother-language-day